Taunton

Cricket grounds and cider houses define this market town where the Somerset Levels stretch out like a green sea. Taunton sits comfortably between the Blackdown Hills and the Quantocks, making it a proper base for anyone wanting to explore the county's gentler landscapes without the tourist crush of Bath or Wells.

The town centre hums with a good mix of independents and chains, though it's the Saturday market that really brings the place alive. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre stages everything from touring theatre to local amateur dramatics - well worth checking what's on during your stay.

Venture out and you'll find the countryside peppered with ancient sites like Devil's Stone, one of those mysterious lumps of rock that gets the archaeologists excited. Release the Hounds offers something completely different - an outdoor adventure experience that's become quite the draw for families looking to burn off some energy.

The Somerset Space Walk runs through the area, with Uranus positioned locally as part of this scale model of the solar system that stretches across the county. It's a lovely way to get the kids interested in both walking and astronomy.

St Thomas' Church and the Church of St George anchor the town's history, while Holy Cross Church and Hatch Beauchamp Baptist Church serve the surrounding villages. The network of ancient woodlands - Greatlands Copse, Parsonage Copse, and Stoke Wood - provides brilliant walking whatever the weather.

Taunton's on the main railway line from London Paddington, making it easily accessible without a car. The M5 runs close by too, though the memorial there serves as a sobering reminder to take your time on these roads.

Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you right in the heart of Somerset's farming country, with easy access to both the Levels and the hills.