Somerset is a county situated in Southwest England. It is a popular destination for tourists, thanks to its attractive and varied scenery and its host of attractions and things to see and do. It is bound by the counties of Devon, Wiltshire and Dorset, with the handsome city of Bristol to the north. Somerset is, in effect, bisected by the M5 motorway and the famous Great Western Railway. The railway was pioneered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 19th century, laying the foundations of the rail network that keeps Somerset connected to the rest of the country to this day.

Somerset’s history can be traced back to Neolithic times, when settlers began to inhabit the dry points on the expansive Somerset Levels. Significant examples of Iron Age habitation have been found in the county, with hill forts and burial sites dotted around the region. The name Somerset is believed to derive from Somersaete, which was the name given to Saxon settlers in the region. The first recorded use of this name was in AD845, at the time when Saxons annexed the region. In more recent times Somerset was the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685, when the Monmouth Rebels were defeated in their quest to capture Bristol and Bath.

Part of Somerset’s charm is its beautiful scenery. There are four main ranges of hills in the county – the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills, the Blackdown Hills and the Polden Hills. These are exceptionally popular with walkers, due to their rolling nature and splendid vistas. Somerset is also characterised by the large flat expanses of the Somerset Levels, the spectacular Cheddar Gorge. Exmoor National Park is spread between Somerset and Devon, offering striking moors and starkly beautiful scenery. Somerset boasts an attractive coastline, and several charming coastal resorts, the most famous being Minehead. Taunton, the historic county town, is another of Somerset’s notable towns. However the most famous is the elegant spa town of Bath, which has been attracting visitors since Roman times.