A gorge-ous half term in Somerset

We usually visit the Isle of Wight for our holidays, as it provides free accommodation and babysitting thanks to my mother. However, we broke from tradition to try out Cheddar Woods Resort and Spa in Somerset at half term. 

After an everlasting journey down the M5 we were pleased to find we’d been given a prime position at the far end of the site. Usually that would mean you’re next to the bins and the maintenance vehicles but in this case it meant we had an elevated view across the Mendip Hills towards Glastonbury Tor. It also meant we didn’t have any neighbours on one side and that we weren’t near to the restaurant and playground so didn’t have to put up with noise from other people’s children. 

The lodge was modern and had everything we needed, including a dishwasher, tumble dryer and washing machine which played jolly tunes when it was finished. There were four televisions, which seemed a bit excessive along with outdoor furniture which looked pleasant, though were unlikely to be used in February. 

The complex at the bottom of the hill was very smart with a Brewers’ Fayre-esque restaurant along with a skittles alley, swimming pool, sauna and a small playground. It was certainly the sort of place which is a bit posher than most caravan parks, so it’s not one for our cheap holiday parks guide. Having said that, I thought it was good value at around £700 for a week for our three bedroom lodge (August is more like £1600). 

Needless to say, it rained for a couple of days but we managed to coincide these with trips to see relatives in Somerset. The children happily played with Lego and plastic horses all day with second-cousins they rarely see, whilst we drank coffee and rested our heads on the kitchen table.

Despite being in Cheddar we only had a fleeting visit to the Gorge. Mrs Guru and I stared with admiration as we drove through, whilst the younger members of our party either slept or refused to look up from the CBeebies App. 

On our first sunny day we applied to remortgage our house before heading to Longleat Safari Park. We spent a happy couple of hours on the adventure playground and with the penguins before heading off on the Safari. It took some time to persuade our four year old that the rhino wasn’t going to charge at the car and we just about got round before the 1 year old began screaming. 

On the other two days when we had a bit of sunshine we went to Weston Super Mare, which was a much large place than I remembered from my visit some years previous. The Pier was gutted by fire 10 years ago but has been rebuilt into a headache inducing wonderland with a thousand clankity clank noises competing with each other. I’m sure my father would have described it as a special kind of torture, but we enjoyed throwing 2p coins into the machines until a gold coloured piece of tat fell out. 

Besides the arcade machines, the Grand Pier has plenty to do now, with several small rides and a restaurant with great views out to sea. Some reviewers complain about the £1 you have to pay to go onto the Pier although I was happy to pay it after seeing so many piers slowly rot into the sea. I imagine such reviewers would have steam coming out of their ears at the Longleat ticket booth.