Discover coastline, heathland, and combe in the UK’s premier Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
From dramatic cliffscape to wildlife-rich woodland, the small-but-mighty Quantocks has it all. Colourful heathland sprawls across the region’s slopes, while its diverse woodlands and scrub provide a natural habitat for red deer, sessile oak, and a variety of native birds. Unsurprisingly, wildlife-watching is a top activity here, though ramblers and riders will find lots to do too. The Quantocks are a particularly popular family destination, with plenty of fossils to hunt and forests to explore all the year round.
This Blue Anchor coastline on the Bristol Channel boasts Jurassic fossils, rugged cliffs, and deep rock pools, ideal for a day’s exploring with curious kids or nature-loving adults. Several holiday parks and no-frills campgrounds offer a convenient base for coastal or inland adventure.
Near the AONB’s western border, this charming village and its surrounding meadows are a rambler’s paradise, with the Quantock Greenway and Samaritans Way South West trails passing directly through. Caravan parks and traditional campgrounds can be found nearby.
Home to the ancient Aisholt Wood, this scenic region in the east of the Quantocks was a known haunt of English Romantics Coleridge and Wordsworth. The red deer endemic to the Quantocks can often be seen here or at the nearby Holford Kelting reserve. Camping options include no-frills farm sites, plus glamping and caravanning.
In the southerly reaches of the AONB, this hilltop parish is among the highest points in the Quantocks, with its hiking trails providing sweeping rural vistas. The wild garden at Fyne Court offers family-friendly outdoor fun, while wild-style campgrounds and luxury glampsites can be found not too far away.
Right on the southern border of the Quantock Hills, this gateway parish is just a 5-minute drive from the county town of Taunton, which is linked directly by train to London, Plymouth, Leeds, and Cardiff. The South Quantock Heritage Trail ticks off most of the region’s main sights, and is best explored on foot, bike, or horseback. Eco lodges, farm camps, and caravan sites are all available in the vicinity.