The county of Somerset offers a pleasing mix of classic English countryside, pretty villages, traditional seaside resorts, many interesting attractions from Wells Cathedral to Wookey Hole Caves, and the unique cities of Bath and Bristol. Walkers will enjoy rambling along the Mendip Hills in the north and the gentle valleys of the Quantocks and unspoilt Blackdown Hills in the west. Families will find lots to do with children including exploring the spectacular caves and gorges at Wookey Hole and Cheddar, viewing all sorts of exotic animals at Tropiquaria and spending a day at Keynsham Country Park with an excellent adventure playground and lots of animals. The bustling city of Bristol is renowned for its zoo and new harbourside attraction @Bristol featuring innovative and exciting inter-active science exhibitions using up-to-the-minute technology. In complete contrast, the elegant city of Bath offers a wealth of historic sights and museums, and plans to open the UK's only thermal Spa in early 2003, featuring an open-air rooftop pool, steam-rooms and full range of complementary treatments (book a hotel in Bath now!). Somerset's principal town is Taunton lying in the Vale of Taunton Deane, a region famed for its production of cider and scrumpy. Visitors can see the production process in some of the cider mills in the autumn. Several historic houses and gardens lie throughout the region, including the dramatically sited Dunster Castle and magnificent Montacute House built in the 16th century. Visit also England's smallest city at Wells with its wonderful Cathedral, new-age Glastonbury with lots of King Arthur connections and the county's coastal villages and towns of Porlock, Clevedon and Minehead.
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