Outdoor activities in Somerset & Dorset

The wide open spaces of Somerset are well known for the fresh air and panoramic views, while Cricket St Thomas’ proximity to the Jurassic Coast is perfect for exploring south England.

Yeovil Country Park

40-min drive from Cricket St. Thomas, BA20 1AQ

The five areas of Yeovil Country Park include the wooded hillside of Ninesprings, open grassland of Summerhouse Hill, the lime tree-topped Wyndham Hill, shrubs and trees of Penn Hill Park, and the meandering Riverside Walk, home to birds, butterflies and otters, with routes for all walking levels.

Beer Beach

35-min drive from Cricket St. Thomas, EX12 3BZ

A shingle beach surrounded by white chalk cliffs, the village of Beer is quintessential Jurassic Coast. Guided tours of the 2,000-year-old man-made caves run several times a day, and mackerel-laden boats deliver fresh catches to the villages eateries.

Walking in Somerset & Dorset

We’ve partnered with ViewRanger to create walking routes for all levels of ability – click below for more info and a selection of walks near our hotels.

View routes

In our grounds and gardens

We’ve got over 160 acres of gardens for you to explore – that’s as big as one-and-a-half Vatican Cities, but the similarity ends there. Ours feature hilly parkland, pristine gardens, sheep-strewn farmland and our sparkling lakes. With so much to see, we’ve hand-picked three of the best things to visit within Cricket St Thomas’s grounds.

The church of Cricket St. Thomas

Originally built in the 14th century and rebuilt in 1868, this grade II listed church is features a white marble statue of St Michael, which for many years was stored flat because the ghostly white figure scared the locals when it was dark.

Cricket Old House

Perhaps more famous for its role as Grantleigh Manor in ‘To The Manor Born’, Cricket St Thomas house has been standing in one form or another for around 600 years. We’ve kept its history intact while also letting you experience it with a spot of tea and cake.

The Old Wildlife Park

Now replaced with immaculately sculpted gardens, woodland walks, and grassy parkland, look closely as you explore and you might just be able to make out where the elephants and camels once roamed.