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All the United Kingdom England Somerset

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Somerset

7 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Somerset, England

Updated January 6, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Somerset

Vicars’ Close

Somerset, England

Vicars' Close

The oldest residential street in Europe also features an optical illusion.
Tarr Steps

Somerset, England

Tarr Steps

This ancient bridge made of stone slabs is said to be reserved for the devil to sunbathe.
Interior face of the clock.

Somerset, England

Wells Cathedral Clock

This astronomical clock is the second oldest in England.
The reredorter.

Somerset, England

Muchelney Abbey

The ruined abbey includes a rare surviving example of a monastic latrine.
The Nave Roof of St Peter and St Paul

Shepton Mallet, England

St. Peter and St. Paul's Wagon-Roof

Inside this magnificent 12th-century church is one of the finest carved wagon-roofs in all of England.
Castle Cary Round House

Somerset, England

Castle Cary Round House

One of the best-preserved examples of an old town lock-up in the country.
Permanently Closed

Somerset, England

Willow Man

The metal frame is all that's left of a wicker sculpture which once towered over the M5 motorway.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Somerset, England

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History & Culture 3
Architecture 2
Sacred Spaces 2

Somerset Leaderboard

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Add an unusual place to Somerset.

Places Edited

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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

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    5
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Visit a place in Somerset.

Recent Somerset Activity

  • atob b3b91f81

    has been to Wells Cathedral Clock

    10 days ago
  • bethybowbowbow

    wants to go to Muchelney Abbey

    10 days ago
  • amber19

    wants to go to Tarr Steps

    9 days ago
  • atob b3b91f81

    has been to Castle Cary Round House

    5 days ago
  • mandandkaz21

    wants to go to Vicars' Close

    1 day ago

Stories About Somerset

A snail from the Paxman farm.

80,000 Snails, 12 Tiny Electric Fences, and 1 Rediscovered Recipe for 'Wallfish'

It's snail-herding season in England.
by Richard Collett
April 22, 2021
Welcome back to England, buddy!

On an English Estate, Reintroduced Beavers Might Make a Damn Difference

These ecosystem engineers have a good track record in helping restore wetlands.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
December 5, 2019

Lists Featuring Somerset

Latrines.
The public toilets could get quite crowded.
The abbey ruins.
The stone latrines in the baths at Dougga.

6 Old Latrines Worth a Visit, Even If You Can't Use Them

March your tuchus to these historic bathrooms to see how people used to take care of business.

6

Including Latrine Poems at Museo de la Natividad, The Public Toilets of Ephesus , and Egglestone Abbey

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