Amongst the rolling hills and vast Somerset levels is the famous architecture, Michelin-approved food and Roman history which puts Somerset at the top of the list for anyone seeking the ultimate self-catering holiday retreat. Quoted as being ‘Land of the Summer People’, the wide-open spaces and outdoor pursuits lend themselves to anyone questing for fresh air and freedom, sumptuous food and hikes through the hills. Indulge in your very own boutique cottage in this delightful and romantic county, enjoying the cathedral history of Wells and the romance of Bath, the crisp sea breeze in Minehead and the magical market town of Glastonbury: this is Somerset at its finest. A boutique holiday or short break in Somerset is a luxury retreat for all the senses.

For fine dining with the individuality of the South West, Bath is a premier destination for families and couples alike. The award-winning Sotto Sotto, near the famous Roman baths, embraces the county’s continental heritage with impressive Italian cuisine including vitello alla sorrentina and scottadito, and the exquisite Limoncello profiteroles are superb for anyone wanting to experience an excellent boutique dessert.
Featured in both the Michelin and Good Food guide, as well as boasting several Bath Good Food awards, Menu Gordon Jones is the place to visit for a romantic evening with unique food from a name on his way to the top. Inventive and original with flavours, booking is essential for this top-end culinary experience, but with a sample menu to die for, it’s surely worth it.

For simpler tastes, head to Hudson’s Steakhouse - voted in the top three steakhouses in the UK, the expertly dry-aged meats and Victorian surroundings make the perfect backdrop for quality family time enjoying wonderfully cooked sirloin.

Butcombe brewery in Wrington, Bristol, produce some of the Westcountry’s favourite beers, and it will be easy to find a bar or relaxed pub in which to sink back into an armchair and savour some of the county’s finest produce.

Not just famous for its beers, the South West is also synonymous with cider, and Watchet’s dog friendly Pebbles Tavern welcomes you with boutique ciders for a bespoke drinking experience you’ll find nowhere else.  Winner of CAMRA’s prestigious ‘South West Cider Pub of the Year’ and ‘Somerset Branch Cider Pub’ awards, whether it’s apple-sweet or strong and dry, Pebbles Tavern will give you a taste of Somerset true to its roots.

Catering for everyone, Bath’s Colonna & Smalls Speciality Coffee is a double shot of expertise filtered through a constantly changing variety of beans and blends.  With variety and knowledge all in one place, this is coffee as you’ve never experienced before, let the aroma of luxury espresso and filter coffee arouse your senses and the quality caffeine fuel the rest of your boutique stay in Somerset.

Staying in a luxury cottage in Somerset means you can really leave modern city living behind you and go forth into the land of Romans – discover the People of Aquae Sulis and revel at the ‘Sacred Spring’ whilst at a visit at the Roman Baths, or spend a few intimate hours at the Thermae Bath Spa, a natural thermal spa with organically-heated, mineral-rich bathing waters where you can drift off and really relax in the outdoor rooftop pool enjoying the serenity of the city as day turns to dusk.

Alternatively, you can let out the countryman in you with West of England Falconry. Exploring the Somerset greenery with a bird of prey on your arm is an experience that will remain with you for the rest of your life, and the magnificence and grace of these creatures will leave you spellbound.

Glastonbury Tor, Exmoor National Park, Minehead beach, Wells (England’s smallest city) the South West Coast Path and more; luxury cottages Somerset offers a haven for quality adventures, romance, relaxation and more.