The Stables, Lydeard St Lawrence

In Lydeard St Lawrence

The Bird in Hand -- The village pub, a short walk from the centre. A traditional Somerset country pub serving home-cooked food, real ales, and local ciders in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The pub has a garden and is popular with walkers and locals alike. Food served at lunchtime and in the evenings. Check opening days as they may vary seasonally.

Nearby

The Lethbridge Arms, Bishops Lydeard -- Approximately 3 miles south-east. A well-regarded village pub and restaurant serving freshly prepared food using locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes regularly with seasonal specials. Real ales, a good wine list, and a pleasant garden. Booking recommended for dinner.

Taunton restaurants -- Approximately 8 miles south-east. Taunton has a wide range of restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets, from independent bistros and Indian restaurants to high street chains. The Castle Hotel in the town centre is particularly well known for its fine dining.

Hestercombe Gardens cafe -- Approximately 6 miles south-east. The cafe at Hestercombe Gardens serves seasonal lunches, homemade cakes, and cream teas in a beautiful garden setting. A lovely spot for a light lunch after exploring the gardens.

Local Produce

The Bishops Lydeard village shop and bakery (3 miles) stock local produce. Taunton's indoor market and various farm shops in the surrounding area offer excellent Somerset cheese, cider, and fresh local meat.

West Somerset Railway -- The longest heritage railway in England, running 20 miles from Bishops Lydeard (approximately 3 miles from Lydeard St Lawrence) to the harbour at Minehead. The beautifully restored steam and diesel trains pass through stunning Somerset countryside. Special events run throughout the year, including themed train services and gala weekends. A wonderful day out for all ages.

Quantock Hills -- England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1956. The Quantock Hills lie immediately to the east of Lydeard St Lawrence and offer superb walking through ancient oak woodland, open heathland, and deep, secretive combes. The hills inspired the Romantic poets -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived at nearby Nether Stowey and wrote many of his finest works here.

Hestercombe Gardens -- Approximately 6 miles south-east. A unique collection of three centuries of garden design in one estate -- a Georgian landscape garden, a Victorian terrace, and the famous Edwardian formal garden designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Lovely walks through the grounds and woodland. Open daily.

Taunton Castle and Museum -- Approximately 8 miles south-east. The Museum of Somerset is housed within the medieval Taunton Castle and tells the story of the county from prehistoric times to the present day. Free admission.

Exmoor National Park -- The open moorland of Exmoor is approximately 25 minutes' drive to the north. Popular destinations include Dunster Castle (National Trust), the harbour village of Porlock Weir, Dunkery Beacon (the highest point on Exmoor), and the dramatic twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.

Coleridge Way -- A 51-mile long-distance walking trail from Nether Stowey in the Quantock Hills to Lynmouth on the Exmoor coast. The trail passes close to Lydeard St Lawrence and can be walked in sections as day walks.

Sheppy's Cider Farm -- Approximately 7 miles south, near Wellington. A working cider farm with guided tours, tastings, a museum of traditional cider-making equipment, and a farm shop selling their award-winning ciders and apple juices. Open daily.

Local Walks

Quantock Hills -- The Quantock Hills AONB lies immediately to the east and offers a wonderful network of footpaths and bridleways through ancient oak woodland, open heathland, and dramatic combes. Popular routes include the ridge walk along the top of the Quantocks with panoramic views over the Bristol Channel and the Vale of Taunton Deane, and the shady woodland walks through the combes below.

Coleridge Way -- This 51-mile long-distance path from Nether Stowey to Lynmouth passes close to Lydeard St Lawrence. You can walk individual sections as day walks -- the Quantock Hills section is particularly scenic, passing through the landscape that inspired Coleridge's poetry.

West Somerset Railway station walks -- The heritage railway stations between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead make excellent starting points for linear walks. Take the train one way and walk back through the Somerset countryside, or use the railway to link circular routes.

Local lanes and footpaths -- The quiet lanes and footpaths around Lydeard St Lawrence itself offer gentle walking through a beautiful wooded valley with farmland views. The village sits in a sheltered combe that is particularly lovely in spring and autumn.

Beaches

Kilve Beach -- Approximately 10 miles north. A fascinating rocky beach at the foot of the Quantock Hills, famous for its Jurassic fossils (ammonites and ichthyosaur bones have been found here). The rock platforms and pools are wonderful for exploring at low tide. Not a swimming beach, but a superb place for fossil hunting and coastal walks.

Blue Anchor -- Approximately 15 miles north-west. A long, quiet shingle and sand beach with views along the coast to Minehead and across the Bristol Channel to Wales. The Blue Anchor pub sits right by the beach.

Minehead -- Approximately 20 miles north-west. A wide expanse of sand at low tide, ideal for families. Also the starting point of the 630-mile South West Coast Path and the northern terminus of the West Somerset Railway.