It may officially be classified as a village, but the buzzing community and international spotlight on Wedmore does tend to give Wedmore the feels of a thriving small town. It’s collection of independent shops and eateries means a trip to Wedmore warrants a good few hours, particularly if you coincide your trip with a mealtime. The Swan, with its two ‘Rosette Awards for Culinary Excellence’, offers locally-sourced food led by executive chef Tom Blake alongside head chef Sam Sperring-Trendl. Roll top baths and exposed beams fulfil the picture of an ideal stay in the countryside here, and with all rooms being dog friendly you can be rest-assured that a post-walk warm up beside the woodburner on your return will be relished by you and the furry members of your family. Being a sister hotel to At the Chapel in Bruton, The Swan also has a pop-up bakery every Wednesday between 9am and 3pm, probably best to get there early to avoid slim pickings!
Wedmore is surrounded by footpaths which offers ample opportunity to soak up fabulous views across Sedgemoor and our remarkable Mendip hills. An exploration of just under 2 miles in a north-easterly direction will lead you towards Ashton Windmill, an 18th century tower mill which in its prime was used to grind corn for flour and beans for cattle food. Sitting on the ridge known as the ‘Isle of Wedmore’ you’ll be able to see Cheddar Gorge, the Levels and on a clear day Brent Knoll and the coast beyond. It’s a great spot for a picnic, and if you time your visit right it’s also open for tours from Easter through to September. The opening hours can vary but Wednesdays and Sundays are your best bet. It has quite the history with the earliest reference of a windmill on this site being 1317!
For those of you who are embracing the rise of English wines, then do keep an eye out for Mowbarton. Located just 2 miles out of ‘town’ is the 12-acre vineyard of Mowbarton Estate which last year launched their first Pinot Cuvee, a still white wine to add their popular Somerset Sparkling. Another staycation option would be in their onsite Shepherd’s Hut which sits within 2 acres of the ‘Teasel Meadow’. For those who enjoy being at one with nature, bring your binoculars as buzzards, woodpeckers, cuckoos and goldfinches are regular visitors to this secluded spot. Sounds the perfect place to crack open a bottle as you watch the sun go down…
If you’re looking for something a little more lively then a trip to the Bluebird Café will get your toes tapping. Open as a bar 6 nights per week these guys are getting quite the following for their live music gigs. With recent artists such as AJ Dean-Revington from The Wandering Hearts, Chris Jagger and Harrisen Larner-Main, you can expect a warm welcome and a great vibe. Their ethically-sourced beans also means that it’s a great spot for a caffeine hit to keep you energised as you explore the myriad of independent shops that Wedmore has to offer during the daytime. Oh, and one last thing of note, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the internationally- acclaimed annual ‘Turnip Prize’! A spoof art award which insists that the least amount of effort possible is used to create a playful pun. You’ll no doubt see coverage in the papers each year as the competition shines its spotlight on this gem of a village.
