Hidden Gems

Check out Frome - a hidden centre for vintage, retro clothing. And plonked in the middle of town is this amazing venue. Markets during the day and music during the evenings. We saw Imelda May there recently and they have other big names turning up - quite unexpected!

This is a great farm shop which stocks a wide range of products, including the Award Winning Blackmore Farm Ice Cream. There is also a great coffee shop here where you can get light lunches, cream teas and cakes - great after a walk on the Quantocks.

This is a great place to head to if you're out and about in the blackdowns. Stock up on some fantastic food in both the farm shop and the cafe (which spills out onto the courtyard, offering outdoor seating). You can meet some "furry friends" in the farmyard pens (including "chocolate"; the cute shetland pony and an amazingly smelly billy goat!). If you're lucky, the bison, deer and angus cattle will be in the paddocks nearby. Straight opposite the farm is a car park - ideal for local walks if you fancy a ramble in the countryside.

For me, somewhere with a nice, easy walk ahead of you, free parking, loos, a pub and a cafe is a "real gem". Walk along the beach (from Blue Anchor to Dunster) enjoying the views across the channel. The West Somerset railway follows the same route, adding an extra charm - as steam trains "chug" by (there's the option to join the railway at Blue Anchor). Its an easy walk, ideal for a lazy Sunday with families and dogs.

Robber's Bridge ST 820 465 is a popular picnic spot on Weir Water, accessible via a narrow, steep and winding road from the A39 near the top of Porlock Hill or the equally narrow road from Oare. The tiny road bridge, reputed to be the site of a Doone robbery.

Locally known as Giant's Chair, ST 982 437, as the spot looks just like a giant's chair on the side of the hill, which was maybe used to admire the view up through the Aville Valley. On a good day when the sun shines you can see all the way to Dunkery Beacon and relish the splendour of this glorious countryside. The walk up is quite hard work, but well worth the effort.

Landacre Bridge ST 816 362 is set in the open moorland of Exmoor National Park to the west of Exford. A medieval bridge which spans the River Barle is the perfect spot for a picnic and a swim especially in the deep pools further up river by Sherdon Hutch when the weather is good.

Take a walk by the River Barle from Tarr Steps ST 868 322 to Withypool ST 845 354. Tarr Steps the ancient clapper bridge across the River Barle in the Exmoor National Park is at the beginning of the Two Moors Way Nature Trail which winds its way alongside the River Barle up to Withypool. At Withypool you can vist the local inn or cafe for refreshments before making your way back down the riverside to Tarr Steps.

This is well worth the effort and a lovely day out.

North Hill and Bossington Hill over look the Bristol Channel on one side and rise up above Minehead, Selworthy and Bossington on the other side. There are many places to explore along the top of and at the foot of these hills. The South West Coast Path, which starts in Minehead follows the seaward side, which passes above the remains of Burgundy Chapel, all the way to Hurlestone Point, and beyond, passing close to Selworthy Beacon. The beautiful wooded area above Allerford and Selworthy hide many gems, St Agnes Fountain, Katherine's Well and Bury Castle.

Cloutsham ST 894 429 is a beautiful setting for a picnic by the river and is part of the Dunkery & Horner Wood National Nature Reserve. Follow the road from Webber's Post down by the river East Water and just after you have gone through the ford, there is a picnic area on your left, right next to a shallow river. After heavy rain fall this track is probably too wet to drive along, but in dry weather it's the perfect place to visit. There are many trails that you can follow from here taking you through some of the most beautiful scenery on Exmoor.