For the energetic, there are a great many sports and leisure activities in Somerset. There are many activity holidays or alternatively, you may just wish to participate for a day in a particular activity. Just a few of the possibilities include horse riding, cycling, sailing, fishing, canoeing, pot-holing, walking, and golfing.
If you love horse riding or have always wanted the chance to learn to ride, then a riding holiday in Exmoor would be ideal. Many Farmhouse B&B;’s in the area offer the opportunity for you to bring your own horse with you on holiday.
There are so many Sports and Leisure Activities in Somerset. For a gentle cycling holiday, the Somerset Levels and Moors in central and southern Somerset provide a beautiful, rustic landscape; crisscrossed with small dykes or ‘rhynes’ and dotted with picturesque villages and towns.
For those who like more of a challenge, there are the varied ranges of hills such as the Mendips near Wells and Glastonbury or the Quantocks near Exmoor in the west.
Attractions in Weston Super Mare
The long-distance ‘West Country Way cycle route (Bristol to Padstow) passes through some beautiful parts of Somerset.
If you’re into Walking, there are five ranges of hills giving magnificent views across the county, and on the Somerset Levels and Moors, walkers can see the wildlife of the Wetlands, which are drained by an ingenious system of small canals or ‘rhynes’.
The Liberty and Leland Trails are long-distance way-marked heritage walks that pass through southern Somerset and take in historic houses, gardens, and picturesque towns and villages. There are other long-distance trails on the Mendip Hills and in Exmoor National Park. Countryside rangers and local walking groups arrange organized walks that inform and delight walkers of all ages and abilities.
Somerset has over 9000 rights of way totaling 3750 miles (6034 km). The use of these public paths is a free resource. At Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor’s largest inland stretch of water, near Dulverton, all types of watersports are available. Learn to sail, windsurf, kayak, or hire a rowing boat at the popular watersports center. Explore the area on the many footpaths around the scenic lake and reward yourself at the tea-room afterward!
In the heart of the West Country and closer than you think, Somerset is home to some of the finest Coarse, Game, and Sea Fishing in the whole of the U.K. Many national fishing competitions are held here, making it a must for anglers.
For good weights of Bream, Tench, and silverfish then the King Sedgemoor Drain (KSD), Huntspill River, and the River Axe along with a good selection of commercial fisheries can offer you some very rewarding days. If you’re after large Carp then Combwich Ponds, Durleigh reservoir, and the River Axe are among many that offer Carp up to 35lbs. If Pike fishing is your interest then the River Brue, River Tone, and KSD have specimens up to 30lbs.
Excellent game fishing is available all over the County. Be sure to visit Blagdon reservoir for top quality Trout fishing, whilst a trip to Exmoor offers some excellent wild Salmon and Trout fishing on the River Barle and River Exe.
Sea fishing in the Bristol Channel gives you a wide selection of fish including Flounder, Bass, and Conger. Sea fishing is available along the seafront at Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, or through chartering a boat for the day.
Whatever type of angling you prefer, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Somerset.
If you enjoy a game of golf then there many excellent golf courses to choose from. At Yeovil Golf Course you can enjoy views over both the Somerset and Dorset countryside as it is right on the border of both counties. At Brean, you can enjoy views over the Bristol Channel.
As you can see there is a huge range of sports and leisure activities in Somerset to suit everyone.
