The Cotswolds may have long been Britain’s go-to countryside escape, but a new rival has been named, and it isn’t Cornwall or Devon. According to The Telegraph, South Somerset is the UK’s best alternative to the Cotswolds, scoring an impressive 40 out of 50 in its ranking of rural hotspots.
At first glance, the similarities are striking. Head across the Somerset Levels towards the A303 and you’ll find villages built from warm, golden Hamstone, the local limestone from Ham Hill, glowing like honey in the evening sun. Streets in South Petherton, Martock, Barrington and Hinton St George are lined with cottages framed by rambling roses, giving them the same postcard appeal as Gloucestershire’s prettiest hamlets, only with fewer crowds.
But South Somerset also offers a character all of its own. The area has a deep cider-making tradition, with orchards dotting the hills and family-run producers still pressing apples much as they have for centuries.
Burrow Hill Cider Farm and the Somerset Cider Brandy Company, now linked to fashion designer Alice Temperley’s family, are at the heart of this heritage. Add in the bird-rich wetlands of the Somerset Levels, famous for starling murmurations in winter, and you’ve got a landscape that is as wild and elemental as it is picturesque.
When it comes to food and hospitality, South Somerset is increasingly on the map. Holm in South Petherton – run by ex-London chef Nicholas Balfe, has earned rave reviews for its foraged, seasonal menus, while Hinton St George’s Lord Poulett Arms has been hailed as one of the best countryside inns in the country, mixing contemporary style with warm hospitality.
And while the Cotswolds draws celebrities in droves, South Somerset is quietly catching up. Alongside Alice Temperley, the area has become a discreet retreat for creatives and foodies seeking peace without pretension.
In The Telegraph’s ranking, the region scored top marks for its honey-stone cottages (10/10), and high marks for its restaurants, hotels, and quintessentially British traditions, from willow weaving to village fêtes. With a total of 40/50, it outranked many better-known destinations.
For those in search of countryside beauty, good food, and authentic community spirit, all without the sky-high prices, South Somerset is emerging as the Cotswolds without the crowds.