We've always known Somerset county is a remarkable gem within Britain, but a fairly hidden one. So it is partly no surprise, and yet immensely delightful, that National Geographic have listed Somerset amongst the 16 special places in the world that are a "must see" in 2016. The Nat Geo "Cool List" is wholly subjective but then they really know their stuff. Each year they consider destinations around the world to build "an eclectic list of top spots for culture, cuisine, festive celebrations and pristine" environment, and more.
This stacks Somerset alongside the likes of Rio de Janeiro, Iran, Costa Rica, Washington DC and even the Great Barrier Reef (the full list is below). The reasoning is partly the compact area with such variety from the world heritage site that is Bath Spa, the history and vibrant Harbourside of Bristol, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Mendip Hills, the levels, the beautiful small "city" of Wells, the quirkiness of Glastonbury, the coast ... it goes on. And all this underpinned by great places to stay and great places to eat.
Many on the National Geographic list are exotic places which involve costly travel. But Somerset is on the doorstep really for those in the UK, and also for Europe. Even flying in from other continents, Cheddar is just over two hours from Heathrow, one of the world's major air hubs, and just 20 minutes from Bristol International Airport which is very well connected. Flying is not so green but mainline train can get you to Weston-Super-Mare from central London also in just over two hours, and London itself is just two hours by Eurostar from Paris and/or Brussels. So no excuses really.
If you'd like to know more then visit see the Nat Geo list in detail on their website, or check out Visit Somerset's take on the news.
1. Iran
2. Costa Rica
3. Washington DC
4. Ireland
5. Cuba
6. Nepal
7. Shanghai
8. Mozambique
9. St Vincent and the Grenadines
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina
11. Somerset
12. Rio de Janeiro
13. Kazakhstan
14. Argentina
15 San Sebastian
16. The Great Barrier Reef
This stacks Somerset alongside the likes of Rio de Janeiro, Iran, Costa Rica, Washington DC and even the Great Barrier Reef (the full list is below). The reasoning is partly the compact area with such variety from the world heritage site that is Bath Spa, the history and vibrant Harbourside of Bristol, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Mendip Hills, the levels, the beautiful small "city" of Wells, the quirkiness of Glastonbury, the coast ... it goes on. And all this underpinned by great places to stay and great places to eat.
Many on the National Geographic list are exotic places which involve costly travel. But Somerset is on the doorstep really for those in the UK, and also for Europe. Even flying in from other continents, Cheddar is just over two hours from Heathrow, one of the world's major air hubs, and just 20 minutes from Bristol International Airport which is very well connected. Flying is not so green but mainline train can get you to Weston-Super-Mare from central London also in just over two hours, and London itself is just two hours by Eurostar from Paris and/or Brussels. So no excuses really.
If you'd like to know more then visit see the Nat Geo list in detail on their website, or check out Visit Somerset's take on the news.
1. Iran
2. Costa Rica
3. Washington DC
4. Ireland
5. Cuba
6. Nepal
7. Shanghai
8. Mozambique
9. St Vincent and the Grenadines
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina
11. Somerset
12. Rio de Janeiro
13. Kazakhstan
14. Argentina
15 San Sebastian
16. The Great Barrier Reef
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