Visit South Somerset

01/04/2024

* Please note that this account will not be monitored from 1 April 2024 and no further posts will be made *

In addition, due to the financial savings agreed by the Somerset Council in February 2024, the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre is now permanently closed.

For information about visiting Somerset, please follow:
Visit Taunton
Visit Somerset

For a list of other information centres, please go to: https://www.visitsouthsomerset.com/plan/south-somerset-tourist-information-centres.htm

The South Somerset Tourism Team want to thank everyone for their custom and support over the years and hope they continue to enjoy living, working and holidaying in South Somerset.

30/03/2024

🌸OPEN TODAY - last day of trading, last chance for free leaflets here and bargains at 40% off everything 🌸

Great gifts for Easter including cuddlies, books and more!

Thank you for everyone's kind words of support and calling in.

We will miss you all!

Bev, Clare, Becky, Diane and Louise
South Somerset Tourism & Cartgate Team

📍Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Open until 4pm today.
Just outside Yeovil, plenty of free parking.

25/03/2024

*** LAST FEW DAYS OF THE SOUTH SOMERSET VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE ***

A reminder that the centre will be permanently closing on Saturday 30th March at 4pm.

Call in quickly for tourist information about Somerset and the West Country and buy some bargains in the massive 40% CLOSING DOWN SALE.

Easy Access and free car parking. NB - the toilets and cafe are not affected by the closure notice.

Closed Wednesdays and from 1-1.30pm

Located on the A303 Cartgate picnic site.

18/03/2024

** From today - Closing down sale at South Somerset Visitor Infornation Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site TA14 6RA**

** Massive 40% discount off all stock **

** Free parking, cafe next door, located just outside Yeovil **

The centre will be closing on 30th March at 4pm so make sure you grab a bargain and any tourism publications you need before then.

(Please note the centre closure is completely separate to the cafe and toilets which remain as is)

Centre Open 9am - 4pm Mon - Sat, closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

13/03/2024

* Notice of Closure **

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, A303.

Somerset Council declared a financial emergency in November 2023.
In February 2024, at Full Council, numerous savings proposals were agreed by Councillors, in order to set a balanced and legal budget.
The closure of South Somerset Visitor Information Centre was one of those savings.

A press release about the financial challenges at Somerset Council can be found here:
www.somerset.gov.uk/news/stark-warning-as-somerset-council-sets-balanced-budget-for-2024-25.

** Closure and Clearance **

- We are open as usual, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4pm (closed Weds and Sun). Our last day of trading will be Saturday 30 March 2024, 9am-4pm.

- There will be a clearance sale of all stock at the centre from Monday 18 March - Saturday 30 March.

- The Visit South Somerset website will remain operational for approximately six months.

Please keep an eye on our social media channels for more information - they will remain active until the end of March.

** Countywide Visitor Information Services **

There are alternative Visitor Information Centres and Local Information Centres across Somerset who will be happy to help with any future enquiries for those wanting to visit our beautiful county. Please go to:

https://www.visitsouthsomerset.com/SiteAssets/Files/Somerset%20TICs%20March%202024.pdf

For more information about exploring Somerset, visit:

The county’s destination website: www.visitsomerset.co.uk.

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all our wonderful followers, customers and suppliers. Thank you for your steadfast support - especially at this difficult time.

We will miss you all.

South Somerset Tourism Team

04/03/2024

Some really interesting events around Yeovil.

29/02/2024

28/02/2024

Looking for an interesting and different gift for that special person on Mother's Day?

👓Look no further than the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre at the A303 Cartgate Picnic site!

🎁 Unique local handmade artisan gifts
🎁 Wide range of environmentally friendly products
🎁 Lovely eco-friendly greeting cards and cards produced from prints by local artists
🎁 Gifts for all pockets from a few pounds to £50 plus
🚗 FREE parking and easy access
🤫 PS - the lovely team also sell wrapping paper and stamps!

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses.
Do call in - we love to see you.
Open 5 days a week - closed Wednesdays and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

23/02/2024

❤️Looking for that extra special gift and wanting to support local businesses?

A visit to the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre is highly recommended. They stock beautiful handmade products from some amazingly skilled local artisan producers!

Shakspeare Glass - a local glass blower with an international following. Each piece is hand-blown in Langport and takes inspiration from the surrounding countryside, especially the Somerset levels. The decorative baubles are definitely not just for Christmas!

Muchelney Pottery - perfect pieces for that special gift or a treasured heirloom with prices starting from £19 and continuing in the John Leach tradition. Another artisan maker with an international following for good reason.

Leigh Coombes Pottery Ceramics come in all shapes and sizes, from £1.50 for cute brooches and fridge magnets to attractive plaques – all handmade and individual. The “critter” range has something for everyone from bee fanatics to sailing lovers!

Glass by Doug are fused glass items individually handmade in a South Somerset studio using speciality glass. Each piece is unique from beautiful stud earrings to free-standing plaques.

There are lots of other great products - AND hundreds of ideas of things to do in South Somerset and further afield.

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA

Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses! Do call in - we would love to see you!

Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

22/02/2024

🔎 Future Events at Chard Reservoir 🔍

Earlier today folks, you may have seen a few of our future events pop up that we will be hosting here at the reserve in the coming year! So why not get them in your diaries and visit Chard's Natural Gem on these events for fun-filled family activities!

🔥 Countryside Crafts - Tuesday 9th April 10:00 - 13:00
🐝 BUG BONANZA - Friday 23rd August - 10:00 - 13:00
🍁 Autumnfest - Tuesday 29th October - 10:00 - 13:00

All of the above events can be found on our website - just follow the link below for further information!

There are more events to come folks, so keep your eyes peeled on our social media and for posters around the local area! We hope to see you all out and about at our future events at Chard Res! 🪺🔍

22/02/2024

20/02/2024

Proud to be a stockist of the beautiful New Ewe products!

🐑🐑🐑These lush sheep's milk soaps are made in South Somerset with 100% natural ingredients with fragrances to suit all the family🐑🐑🐑!

🐑🐑🐑The New Ewe Spa ‘NEW EWE’ products have been designed, with the ‘NEW YOU’ in mind - caring and nurturing healthy skin for you and your family AND being kind to the environment!😍

Why not treat yourselves to a new make-up bag? Lots of uses - not just make-up!

20/02/2024

Looking for rainy day indoor activities in Somerset? Here's a list of my favourite things to do in wet weather in Somerset.

18/02/2024

The South Somerset Visitor Information Centre is pleased to stock products made by two skilled local woodworkers.

🌳Dave Thorn uses local timber to produce a lovely range of practical and decorative pieces starting from £5.00. Pens, string dispensers, wooded bowls and realistic apples, all beautifully made!

🌳T & M Crafts are a husband and wife team making wool and wooden products with sales supporting charity, including stunning clocks - worthy of a place on any mantlepiece - fun animal jigsaws and wool worry worms.

👏Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses. 👏

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

Do call in - we'd love to see you. Don't forget that the centre is a haven of information about things to do and places to visit across Somerset.

14/02/2024

♥️ Don't forget, a ticket to HFF is a perfect pressie for a loved one this Valentine's ♥️

🎟 Purchase your ticket here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/schoolinabagtradingltd/942984

🖨 We've also created a voucher for you to print off, on our home page: https://homefarmfest.co.uk

You can thank us in June 😉

14/02/2024

12/02/2024

😍😍Love is in the air, even at the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre! 😍😍

❤️There are Valentine's Day gifts for everyone from your partner to
four-legged pets.🐕🐩🐕‍🦺

❤️ Scented candles in a tin - wondrous scents with an incredible burn time of up to 45 hours from the sustainable company
🚘 discounted tickets!
❤️ Mr Smooth, Mr Perfect, Mr Rugged and Mr Manly soaps - trying to tell him something?!?
🥾 Romantic walk anyone? - Walking books ie Somerset Pub Walks and Somerset Coast Walks - how about a beautiful scarf to wrap up in!
❤️ Also fudge, biscuits, preserves, plus lots more - why not call in and see for yourself!

🐝🦋🐞Give gifts that help the local environment with bee bombs, handmade locally in Dorset and just ready to throw and spread 1000’s of carefully selected wildlife-friendly seeds!💐🌷🪻

12/02/2024

Had your plans cancelled or stuck for what to do in Somerset February half term? Here's a whole host of events taking place in the county...

09/02/2024

Where better to spend the February Half term than South Somerset!?!

There is an exciting range of events from...
✈️ Sensational Science shows at Fleet Air Arm Museum
🐹 Pet Extravaganza events at Ferne Animal Sanctuary
🐝 Snowdrop Festival at East Lambrook Manor Gardens
🦅 Explore the beauty of wild birds at the Chard Reservoir or fairy folk craft mornings at the Ham Hill Country Park. How about the Penn Hill Lantern Parade and first-ever community wassail?
Details of these and other events in February at visitsouthsomerset.com/events

If you are looking for other things to do, many FREE or pocket money treats for children? Don't forget the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre has a range of fun but educational toys.

🐝Insectlore toys - with wind-up butterflies, stickers, and magnifiers, specially designed to encourage mini explorers!
📓 Lovely activity books – some also for adults! and Ispy books - perfect for long journeys
🐥Cuddly toys and finger puppets that soften even the hardest hearts!
🚘 How about a trip to the Haynes Motor Museum? Get a 10% discount buying tickets at the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre!

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA

Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

07/02/2024

👏Celebrate Somerset Produce and Shop Local👏

The South Somerset Visitor Information Centre has a good selection of local food and drink - enjoy!

🍏Honey Pot Farm Apple Juice - made on a local smallholding using locally grown apples with nothing else added - totally natural.
🍓Jam Shed - delicious locally made preserves using traditional recipes with a modern twist - Pink Gin and Tonic Marmalade, Greengage and Amoretto Jam or Spiced Blackberry Chutney, just a selection of the lovely tastes.
🍶 Radfords Fine Fudge - delicious and locally made - Clotted Cream and Somerset Cider fudge - yummy!
🐝Hedgerow Honey from the Blackdowns - perfect on toast any time of day!
🥞 Moores Biscuits - gift-boxed biscuits which make great gifts or treats for yourself!

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses. Do call in - we'd love to see you.
Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

06/02/2024

📢 There's less than a week left on our local resident offer. Get it while you can!
Are you a resident of BA, BS, TA, DT, or SP postcodes? You're in for a treat! Get a whopping 30% discount on Fleet Air Arm Museum tickets! 🎟
With your annual ticket, you unlock a world of adventure:
👉 Explore the museum all year round – 12 months of discovery await!
👉 Dive into the all-new Barracuda Live: The Big Rebuild exhibition – a must-see experience!
👉 Get up close with over 40 historic aircraft, including the ‘first’ British Concorde and ‘King of the Junglies’ Sea King Mk4
👉 Enjoy access to a host of exciting activities throughout the year.
Ready to embark on a year of history, aviation, and endless fun? Get your discounted ticket now and let the adventure begin! 📍
For more information 👇
https://www.nmrn.org.uk/local-discount

03/02/2024

Festival of Snowdrops 2024 at East Lambrook Manor Gardens
👇👇👇👇👇

Here are all the details for our
Festival of Snowdrops 2024!
(which started on Thursday) 😊

We are open 6 days a week in Feb! (Closed Mondays)
So come along and join us for what we hope will be our best February yet.

The snowdrops are out and looking lovely. They're growing all around the Garden and many are for sale in the Nursery. We also have a raised display in the Nursery (handy for those who don't want to have to crawl around to look at the details).
Dogs are Welcome!
Teas, coffees, and locally made soft drinks are available in the Malthouse Cafe, as well as a selection of cakes (including some gluten free options and a vegan flapjack).

So, we hope there is something for everyone, and we are looking forward to your visit!

02/02/2024

Discover the beautiful Somerset landscape!

If you need inspiration; visit the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre for hundreds of ideas.
🥾 Walk sections of the River Parrett Trail
🥾 Explore the historic Ham Hill Country Park
🥾 Discover the Somerset Coasts and Castles
🥾 Enjoy Walking the Hills and Vales around the Yeovil
🥾 Climb Glastonbury Tor and admire the view

So much to explore! Pop in and have a look at the wide range of guidebooks and maps in stock.

❄️🌞❄️The Visitor Information Centre also sell beautiful cashmere mix (30% cashmere) scarves to help keep you warm only £22.95. Sooooo soft and perfect on a chilly day ❄️🌞❄️

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses.

Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9am - 1pm, 1.30pm - 4pm.
www.visitsouthsomerset.com

01/02/2024

Ever wondered about Visitor Information Centres? So what do we do here...

The South Somerset Visitor Information Centre ...

📢 stocks hundreds of free tourist destination guides, leaflets and information about attractions and things to do in Somerset. Did you know we also sell discount tickets for Haynes Motor Museum?

📢 sells maps and guidebooks for Somerset and the South West

📢 sells locally produced honey, apple juice, preserves, biscuits and delicious fudge

📢 remembers our four-legged friends with delicious treats and toys

📢 stocks stylish products and and the adorable soft toys from - prefect gifts for loved ones

📢 plenty of things to keep children entertained, books, sticker books and cuddlies

And the lovely friendly team are pleased to help not just visitors, but those lucky enough to live in Somerset!

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, A303 – A3088 Stoke – sub Hamdon, Somerset TA14 6RA
Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

26/01/2024

Misty magic at Glastonbury Tor.
Beautifully captured by

Credit:

24/01/2024

The South Somerset Visitor Information Centre Smells Divine!

The centre is very proud to be a stockist for The Somerset Toiletry Company. Not only are the soaps beautifully presented, and made here in Somerset, but they use sustainable ingredients including Palm Oil with minimal environmental impact.

Great for ❤️ Valentine Day presents ❤️ either loved ones or yourself!

Why not call in and see what other local products they sell or information they stock about Somerset and further afield?



South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, A303 – A3088 Stoke – sub Hamdon, Somerset TA14 6RA
Now open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays, and Sundays. 9 am – 1 pm, 1.30 pm - 4 pm.

16/01/2024

🐝 Somerset Honey – the perfect nectar 🐝
The Visitor Information Centre at Cartgate Picnic Site sells some wonderful local produce – including Hedgerow Honey delivered directly from the Blackdown Hills. Incredible value at £4.75 and as runny or set honey – The perfect treat or gift.
Do call in - we'd love to see you.
Open 5 days a week, closed Wednesdays and Sundays. 9am - 1pm, 1.30pm - 4pm.
South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
www.visitsouthsomerset.com

12/01/2024

Some great events coming up soon with our countryside colleagues...

Check out our February half-term events at Ham Hill!

Tuesday 13th February 10am - 11.30am: Fairy Folk - Craft Morning
Aimed at 4-7 year olds.

Friday 16th February 10am - 11.30am: Roman Centurions Unite! - Craft Morning
Aimed at 7-10 year olds.

Remember to book your tickets now by visiting
https://www.visitsouthsomerset.com/events/nature-and-wildlife

£6 per child's ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, accompanying adult free (max 2 adults per child).

01/01/2024

New year = new resolutions! Make the most of the beautiful South Somerset landscape and enjoy the fresh air and countryside to work off all the Christmas Treats. 🍾🥂🍰🥘🍟🍕

Looking for ideas? Pop into the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre for printed guides and personal recommendations for walking 🚶‍♂️🦯🚶and cycling 🚴‍♂️🚲 routes.

Explore around Yeovil with Walking Hills and Vales around Yeovil, or sections of the fabulous River Parret Trail. The centre also has a good selection of OS walking books and maps in stock.

If cycling is more your exercise of choice! Try out the 80-mile cycle route!

🐕‍🦺Check out our Dog-friendly places to go with our 4 legged friends. 🚶‍♀️🐕‍🦺

South Somerset Visitor Information Centre, Cartgate Picnic Site, TA14 6RA
Proud to be supporting Somerset Businesses. Do call in - we'd love to see you.

Open 5 days a week, 9am-1pm and 1.30pm-4.00pm (Closed Wed and Sun).
www.visitsouthsomerset.com

20/12/2023

If you are looking for some last-minute Christmas presents and want easy parking, great customer service and a lovely atmosphere - don't forget the South Somerset Visitor Information Centre at the Cartgate picnic site!

Open this Thursday, Friday and Saturday for visitor advice and Christmas gifts.

🎄🎄Wishing all our customers and Somerset Tourism business a very Happy Christmas and 2024! 🎄🎄