Somerset what to see & do

canny · #1 (**permalink**) 29-11-2006, 10:48 PM

I shall be taking a holiday in South Somerset next May/June not far from the Dorset border. As I have never been in this neck of the woods before I would be grateful of any ideas of where to go to see and film wild life or anything of interest for that matter.

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 30-11-2006, 07:32 AM

Westhay in the Avalon Marshes,the Chew Valley Lakes,Priddy Pool,Cheddar Gorge,
The Mendip Hills I am sure you will find plenty to see and do

yellowhammer · #3 (**permalink**) 30-11-2006, 11:57 AM

Hi,

I live on the Zummerzzet/Darzzett border, and there's plenty to do around here. Head down to the west Dorset coast for fossil hunting, birding (especially on Portland) and mammals (including badgers, wild boar and, erm, pumas!). All across the area are little hidden-away nature reserves that have some incredible plants, insects and fungi. My favourite reserve is in Dorset about 10 miles from the Somerset border, and most days I have it to myself.

If you let me know what you're interested in I'll sort some information out for you. Just remember to learn some key 'Janner' phrases so you can communicate with the locals!

Woss on, my gurt burd?

Ian

chunkychambers · #4 (**permalink**) 30-11-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowhammer

Hi,

I live on the Zummerzzet/Darzzett border, and there's plenty to do around here. Head down to the west Dorset coast for fossil hunting, birding (especially on Portland) and mammals (including badgers, wild boar and, erm, pumas!). All across the area are little hidden-away nature reserves that have some incredible plants, insects and fungi. My favourite reserve is in Dorset about 10 miles from the Somerset border, and most days I have it to myself.

If you let me know what you're interested in I'll sort some information out for you. Just remember to learn some key 'Janner' phrases so you can communicate with the locals!

Woss on, my gurt burd?

Ian

Yur...Who be ee??

Alan · #5 (**permalink**) 30-11-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkychambers

Yur...Who be ee??

Who be ee mazed.. that's what! You all are down thither

yellowhammer · #6 (**permalink**) 30-11-2006, 01:13 PM

Baint no good asking I, ask ee!

Every time I go back to Kent to see the folks I get grief about talking like a wurzel. (I latched on to "where's that to?" pretty quickly!) It could bother me, but I look at where I live now (just outside Crewkerne) and compare it to Gravesend town centre and somehow it all seems ok...

Anybody else around this neck of the woods? My codfish!

Whoops, mustn't hijack the thread though

canny · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 03:10 PM

Thanks for the replys guys........What is this 'Janner'

I am lost already, looks like I have lots of phrases to learn.

don't understand a word

as I only have North Yorkshire.........by eck.
Thanks Yellowhammer, I am mostly interested in animals. I hope to time it right to go to a 'Secret World' open day. Is the Abbotsbury swannary worth a visit? The place I am staying has visiting badgers, fingers crossed.

yellowhammer · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 08:32 AM

The swannery is ok, a bit expensive and it's easy to OD on swans... good birding in the winter though. Abbotsbury Subtropical gardens are good, lots of birds including golden pheasants.

Badgers are commonplace and fairly easily seen. I've not been to Secret World but it's meant to be worth a visit. If you're in the Crewkerne area I can point you towards badgers, roe and fallow deer that are all approachable enough to photograph, also minkand possibly hares. My main interest is reptiles & amphibians so I can show you the world's supply of those. I'm going to work on my butterflies and dragonflies next year so if you're any good at them we can do a swap...

Janners are the old boys you see leaning on 5-bar gates wearing trousers held up with baler twine and their grandads hats. What be 'appen, my badger?

cheers,

Ian

canny · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 03:24 PM

Reminds me of the 'Two Ronnies' scetch

Thanks for info
Canny

AndyC · #10 (**permalink**) 06-12-2006, 08:12 PM

Don't worry Canny, we baint all carrot crunchers down yer in Zumerzet! I'm sure there'll be a welcome for you grockles.
If its swans you want to see just go anywhere on the Somerset levels, for other birds the RSPB reserve at Fivehead near Langport which is said to be worth a visit. It will be a miracle if you don't see a badger, there are always plenty squashed on the roads around here

If you want to see red deer don't forget that Exmoor is not too far away in the west of the county.

Andy