What's happening in the area?
Offering an exciting all-year round programme, Somerset has something for everyone with events ranging from literature, art and sport to historical re-enactments, balloon festivals, music festivals and country shows. The choice is yours.
Visit Somerset in November and you could witness the largest illuminated carnival in Europe, at Bridgwater – hundreds of ‘carts’ ablaze with colour and alive with music.
Somerset is also famous for producing amazing food and drink. Throughout the year there are plenty of opportunities for food lovers to sample these tasty treats at numerous food and drink festivals and events.
Tucked away in the rural village of Stoke St Gregory, in the heart of the Somerset Levels the Coate family have been growing withies on the moors since 1819 and making baskets and willow charcoal for almost 50 years. The unique wetland environment of the Somerset Levels and moors is perfect for growing willow as well as being a haven for wildlife. Basket making willow has been grown here for two centuries, and it is now the only area left where it is still commercially grown and processed for the production of baskets, furniture, garden items and high quality artists’ charcoal.
Today, Coates English Willow is a diverse business with many facets and firmly focused on ensuring a healthy future for our willow industry. We are inspired by our long, rich and varied past and by the quietly beautiful landscape we work in. Yet we are not tied to the past as we are constantly looking ahead for new and exciting ideas to develop that will inspire new people to discover willow.
Hauser & Wirth Somerset is a pioneering world-class gallery and multi-purpose arts centre, which acts as a destination for experiencing art, architecture and the remarkable Somerset landscape through new and innovative exhibitions of contemporary art. A landscaped garden, designed for the gallery by internationally renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, includes a 1.5 acre perennial meadow, which sits behind the gallery buildings.
On-site restaurant, the Roth Bar & Grill, serves seasonal, locally sourced produce, and includes a site-specific bar created by Björn and Oddur Roth, the son and grandson of artist Dieter Roth.
The centre is open with free admission to the public, six days per week, throughout the year.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Durslade Farm
Dropping Lane, Bruton
Somerset BA10 0NL
The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
The Somerset pottery of John Leach with modern gallery selling ceramics, sculpture and paintings.
Set in a gorgeous location high up on the Mendip Hills, only 5 miles from Beanacre Barn, in the heart of a lovely Somerset village, the 2024 Priddy Folk Festival promises an ambitious and exciting programme of ticketed events as well as a free Fringe plus children and dance festivals.
The Festival started in 1991 as a fundraiser for our local primary school and we have stuck to our roots by being volunteer-led and run. We now offer seven stages and venues, covering both the traditional and emerging folk scenes. Our profits are ploughed back into our community and environs, and into promoting folk music and the arts.
Stay in Beanacre Barn and make the Priddy Folk Festival a feature of your visit ?
Check their website for ticket sales and the programme early in 2024!
Somerset Open Studios returns for 2024!
From 21st September – 6th October this year
Somerset Art Weeks alternates each autumn between Open Studios and Exhibitions + Events.
This is now the largest visual arts event in the county, investing in the arts community and enriching lives. The eclectic mix of artists ensures that the festival will be not only visually exciting but also stimulating for the visitor. Whatever your taste or view on art is, the diversity of art forms and artists guarantees that there is something for everyone.
For festival year 2024 we look to create exciting opportunities for artists to engage communities and spark conversations about the climate crisis in a new and engaging way. We want to work with scientists and nature conservationists and use their expertise and experience to help artists make work that grasps the climate issues.
The Bath and West Showground is the South West’s Premier Events Centre, an inspiring venue for a range of outdoor events, meetings and conferences.
The Royal Bath & West of England Society organises several significant agricultural and rural shows at the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Find out what events are coming up at the Bath & West Showground over the next few months.
The Bath and West Showground is only 5 miles from Beanacre Barn, your perfect peaceful retreat after a busy day at the Showground!
Over 20 miles of heritage railway through stunning Somerset countryside and coast.
Our Railway, a true country branch line of the old Great Western Railway is full of fascination whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage which our line preserves.
Today the Railway carries over 200,000 passengers a year making it one of the largest attractions in South West England. There are some 50 paid staff and a key input from 900 volunteers and trains run on selected dates in all months outside the main season throughout the year and daily from early April to early October.