The best and prettiest Somerset villages. Gorgeous dwellings in the heart of this rural West Country county.
Somerset in the West Country of England is known for its cider and gentle rolling hills.
Its also home to some wonderful villages, the pick of which are featured here:
Our Pick Of The Best Villages In Somerset:
1. Bicknoller
) by Chris Andrews 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Bicknoller is both a civil parish and a one of the prettiest Somerset villages, sitting on the Quantock Hills slopes.
It offers a breathtaking view of the rolling heathland downhill and the open fields that steeply go up the Quantocks.
There are many earthworks to see here, including the Turk’s Castle, St. George’s church and the beautiful thatched cottages surrounding it.
2. Hutton
) by Jaggery 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Famous for its breathtaking floral displays, Hutton is a village booming with colour everywhere you go. It borders the Mendip Hills and is not far from Weston.
The Old Inn is a great place to relax, eat and drink after walking around the village. Canada Coomber is also a must-see; it’s an open ground outside the central village hub and from where you can stand and view the Mendips in all their glory.
This spot is also popular with horse and dog walkers, a great place to socialize and make friends with the locals.
3. Congresbury
) by Derek Harper 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Congresbury is a somewhat modern village, but with a unique look, nonetheless.
It’s a great place to walk around, especially along the Two Rivers Walk Way that starts at Congresbury and goes on to River Yeo and beyond.
There are also great eateries in Congresbury like Ship and Castle, shops, and other businesses.
4. Wrington
) by Basher Eyre 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.This pretty little village is a sight to behold. Its winding streets are lined with beautiful traditional British houses on either side, making a walk around this village a must-do for visitors.
Visit the shops, go to the weekly county market, and in the evenings, wind down at Butcombe Brewery, which offers tours and tasting.
The must-do here is to sample the village’s foods and drinks: they are a pull for foodies from far and wide. The grade-1 listed St. Mary’s Church is also worth a visit.
5. Mells
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This village is an ancient architectural hub and therefore holds so much history. Its vibrant flora is a stunning attraction, so be sure to visit the imperial displays at The Walled Garden.
During Easter Monday, people travel from far lands to join in the village’s annual celebration of Daffodil Day, which would be interesting to participate in.
6. Selworthy
) by Graham Horn 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Somerset villages do not get prettier than Selworthy. Its stunning architecture, from the thatched cottages to the impressive All Saints Church, is well-maintained.
The breathtaking views, from the rolling hills to the Vale of Parlock, are scenic. A walk around the village would be an excellent way to take in all this beauty.
7. Holford
Huddled atop the Quantock Hills Area is the spectacular Holford village.
It’s surrounded by ancient majestic oak combes that go up the grassy hilltops on the horizon.
Milford also has a 13-acre natural reserve effortlessly demonstrating the authentic beauty of nature.
One must-see in this village is the Church of St. Mary, an ancient architectural gem built as a tower in the 13th century before it was rebuilt in the 19th century, and the neatly thatched cottages there.
8. Cheddar
) by Derek Harper 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Ever wondered about the origin of everyone’s favourite cheese? This pretty little village holds the secret. Cheddar was the first to produce cheddar cheese in the 12th century.
The cheese matured in caves, and visiting the caves would be a fun thing to do. Also, buy lots of goodies sold in shops around the winding Cheddar Gorge.
Visit the Winchester Farm in the evening, see the brewing process, and sample some drinks. There is also plenty of country to explore, including the divine open landscapes, the historic Cheddar Market, and other attractions.
9. Somerton
) by Mr Eugene Birchall 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Somerton is as classic and traditional English as it gets, making it the perfect destination to experience the most authentic English life.
You can take a walk around it, beginning from Market Square and taking note of the landmarks, including St. Michael’s church.
10. Montacute
In this scenic beauty, the walls of all cottages and buildings are made of ham stone.
The architecture here makes one of the most breathtaking sceneries, which has had the village feature in the media severally.
A medieval church, two pubs, and a post office with different amenities are also great places to visit on your stroll.
11. Barrington
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Yet another ham stone village, this village is another architectural marvel.
Visitors visit Barrington to see the small thatched cottages, St. Mary’s, the octagonal medieval church, and a village hall where locals congregate to trade fresh farm produce.
Be sure to visit the Barrington Boar, too, to sample its range of pubs and ales and to socialise with the locals.
Notably, Barrington oozes an incomparable peace and serenity, making it a pleasant place for people looking to draw away from their busy lives.
12. Corton Denham
This village is tiny but has character. Unlike what you would expect, this village has various modern amenities, especially in its towns, Sherborne and Yeovil.
But, the community here is traditionally close-knit and has community events all year round.
It’s worth visiting the ancient church here, St.Andrews, to gaze upon its beautiful design and glass-stained windows.
13. Wayford
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Wayford sits on the bank of River Axe and is only three miles from Crewkerne. It stands tall with its panoramic cottages, buildings, and the St. Michael Church.
An exciting feature is the 200 handcrafted fairy doors on tree trunks deep in the Wayford woods. Many people throng Wayford each year to see them.
14. South Petherton
The beauty of this South Somerset village turns walking through it into a fantastic experience.
Its striking buildings, ham stone thatched cottages, and well-manicured lawns make it an oasis of beauty.
There’s also lots to enjoy, like the award-winning pub, the Brewers Arms, shops, restaurants, and other businesses. The evenings are crowned with live music at The David Hall.
15. Wedmore
Located only a short drive from Wells, this village is situated on elevated ground and hedged by Rivers Brue and Axe on either side.
Wedmore holds history dating from as early as the 12th century, like the Church of St Mary, which has a tower that you can stand on and admire the beautiful flowing gardens below.
Social events like the Red Ale Festival are held annually, and you can join in the fun.
The festivities have been a significant pull, especially for lovers of ciders and cheese, which are available then in plenty.
16. Oare
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Oare is located on Somerset’s westernmost part, in the valley of Oare Water.
It has a beautiful steep-sided valley scenery and a few settlements. R D Blackmore had visited this tiny village several times from his youth, and when he wrote his romantic novel, Lorna Doone, he used this town for his setting.
Visit and see the small church where the protagonist Lorna was shot and fell dead on her wedding day.
17. Monksilver
) by nick macneill 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.Monksilver is a picture-postcard little village situated on the edge of the Brendon Hills.
It has stunning thatched cottages from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of the best spots to get your food is the County Inn.
18. Dunster
) by Ashley Dace 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.One of the smallest Somerset villages, this tiny place exudes medieval prosperity due to its outstanding buildings that hosted various businesses.
It was also the centre of wool and cloth production, and there was a yarn market. Visit The Dunster Museum and Doll Collection for more history information.
December visitors can join in the community’s lantern procession called Dunster by Candlelight and buy many goodies as souvenirs.
19. Crowcombe
) by Roger Cornfoot 
, CC-BY-SA-2.0.This ancient village traces its origin to the early 854.
It has lush green countryside and a clear view of the Crowcombe Park Gate and the Quantock Hills.
Crowcombe is also home to a landmark house built in the 13th century and the 14th century Church of the Holy Ghost that began as a watch tower and later became a church.
20. Allerford
Allerford is a small stately village located on the edge of the Exmoor National Park and east of Parlock.
It is home to the iconic and historic Pack House Bridge and is also littered with beautiful periodic homes. There’s more to see, like the history items at The West Somerset Rural Life Museum or the 19th-century Victorian classroom.
The locals are so warm and welcoming, too, and you should feel at home in Allerford.
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