Things to do while staying at Honeysuckle Cottage
West Somerset offers a wealth of experiences and activities for visitors young and old. Dominated by the beautiful Quantock Hills which give way to Exmoor, there is the heritage coast and a number of stunning local villages as well as a medieval castle all within a few miles of Watchet. Here are some of our favourites.
The EasT Quay Arts Centre
Launched in 2021, this long awaited addition to the local community has helped transform the town. Based around a couple of main spaces it generally features a couple of excellent standing exhibitions.
In addition the striking complex comprises artist studios, performance spaces, overnight rooms and shops. The kitchen offers a range of great food throughout the day and evening (check out opening times) and arguably the best coffee in the area. The East Quay is a distinctive addition to Watchet.
PUBS In Watchet
The Star Inn is a lovely old pub with a good menu and local beer. Across the road is Pebbles a friendly local venue. It’s speciality is local cider of which it seems to have an awful lot. They have live music most nights and you’re allowed to buy fish and chips next door and eat it in there.
The Esplanade is down on the harbour – you can sit on the benches outside with your drink and watch the sun go down over the sea (live music every Friday and Saturday).
Both The London Inn and The Bell are popular with locals, and offer food. The former has a pizza oven and the latter was where Coleridge wrote (some of) The Ancient Mariner.
Restaurants and Cafes
Away from the East Quay, The Corner Café and Chives are both near the harbour, and offer home cooked food, cream teas and cakes, while Sam’s Deli sells excellent sandwiches, pasties and coffee to take away.
The Spice Merchant Indian restaurant is very good and as a result is busy most nights and can require booking. The Cats Whisker is a tapas bar just off of Swain Street.
Just down the road in Blue Anchor, the Driftwood Cafe is worth a visit. Get a table outside for alfresco views of the bay. But always check the specials board first.
SOME PLACES TO VISIT
The nearest beach is on West Street (about 200 yards down the hill) which is a rocky outcrop (at low tide) with a man-made rock pool. You’ll find a sandy beach beyond the headland if you walk away from the harbour.
Fossil Beach
A great place to enjoy the local coastline. Walk to the end of the harbour, away from the cottage and up the steps onto the cliff (watch out as it’s a sheer drop without a fence), along the path until you come to steps down on to the beach. It’s a lovely big curved bay …a lovely walk particularly on a sunny morning.
St. Audries Bay and waterfall
Drive out through Doniford and take a left at the sign for Home Farm where you’ll find a public car park. From here walk down the steps to the beach and follow it around to the right where you’ll find the bay and the waterfall.
Blue Anchor
Less than 10 mins drive from the cottage. Head up along West Street and follow your nose. It’s a long sandy/rocky beach with a nice seaside café for lunch or a cup of tea.
Quantocks: Staple Plain
Walk up on to the Quantocks from this nearest entry point. You can walk for miles in any direction – its all public land …..excellent spot for a picnic. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - there is a book of suggested walks on the Quantocks, in the cottage.
Dunster village and Dunster Castle
A beautiful local village, perfectly preserved, nestling below the castle which is landmark for miles around. The village has numerous cafés and restaurants. Dunster Castle is accessible through the village or via a separate car park. It is a National Trust venue.
Minehead
A bustling seaside town for the past 100 years, it is most famous for the railway and of course Butlins. It also boasts the best sandy beaches on this stretch of coast. On the main street you’ll find the Avenue Cinema (ideal for a wet afternoon) and the Regal Theatre. If you head towards North Hill you’ll find the old town. There’s an excellent pub called The Ship Aground and a few cafes plus loads of lovely old cottages on the front and interesting old back streets going up the hill.
Porlock/Porlock Weir
About eight miles beyond Minehead at the foot of Exmoor, Porlock is another lovely Somerset village, while Porlock Weir (about a mile further on) has a small harbour running up onto the stone beach with excellent pubs and hotels for alfresco eating both day and night.
Wimbleball lake
A man-made reservoir in the Brendon Hills. An easy drive away it is a lovely location with watersports (kayaking and sailing as well as fishing) available. It’s also a good place for walking and just hanging out by the water.
Exmoor
Stunning unspoilt heathland that runs from West Somerset across a large swathe of North Devon. Boosting native wild red deer and Exmoor ponies, it is also one of the best places in Britain to enjoy dark night skies. This famous open land is easily accessible from Watchet by car, boat or bus.
Dunkery Beacon
The highest point on Exmoor is accessed about half a mile from a small car park. Be careful to take the correct path as the views from the top are magnificent stretching up to 40 miles in either direction including across the channel to South Wales.
Bossington Beach
A short drive beyond Minehead towards Porlock, there is a turning for Bossington village. Follow the road to the National Trust car park, and from there the footpath towards Hurlstone Point. The views across Porlock Bay are magnificent and you have the chance to continue on the circular walk or drop down to the largely deserted beach.
Tarr Steps
A stunning medieval clapper bridge across the Barle river towards the south of Exmoor. There’s an excellent circular walk from the steps along the river valley, or a longer trek from nearby Withypool. Either walk is best served by a stop at the excellent Tarr Farm Inn.
Lynton/Lynmouth
Two towns separated by a 500 metre cliff. In summer a funicular railway ferries tourists between the two, but winter visitors have to brave the walk. Lynton (at the top) offers fantastic views across the bay and a host of restaurants and antique shops, while Lynmouth has an old high street with gift shops, pubs and a museum detailing the devastating 1952 flood. Both, surprisingly, retain their own unique charm. Access to either necessitates a drive across the north Exmoor coast which only adds to the whole experience.