Somerset Food Trail: Cider, Cheese and Farm Shops
A Somerset food trail is built around two things the county does better than almost anywhere else in England: cider and cheese. Beyond the annual Somerset Food Trail Festival, held each July, the county’s cider farms and farm shops are open year-round, making it easy to build your own self-guided route at any time of year. This guide covers the best stops and how to plan a realistic day or weekend around them.
Somerset Food Trail at a Glance
| Stop | What to Try |
|---|---|
| Sheppy’s, near Taunton | 90-acre cider farm, cheese and cider tasting tour, rural life museum |
| Thatchers, Myrtle Farm, Sandford | 458-variety collection orchard, guided tour, farm shop |
| Somerset Cider Brandy Company, Martock | The UK’s first licensed cider brandy distillery, since 1989 |
| Wilkins Cider Farm, Mudgley | Traditional barrel-fermented cider, no-frills farm visit |
| Perry’s Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake | Farm shop, cider bar, self-guided audio tours |
Cider Farms Worth Building a Route Around
Sheppy’s, a 90-acre cider farm near Taunton, is a good starting point, since its former apple pressing rooms now house an award-winning farm shop, deli and butchery, alongside a rural life museum covering 200 years of cider-making history. A guided Cheese and Cider Tour finishes with a tutored tasting pairing Sheppy’s ciders with cheeses from its own cheesemonger, a useful introduction if you are new to cider tasting.
Thatchers, based at Myrtle Farm in Sandford for over a century, offers one of the most memorable tours in the county, beginning in a collection orchard growing 458 different apple varieties for experimental blending. The tour moves through the fermentation barns before finishing with tastings at the on-site Railway Inn.
For something more traditional, Wilkins Cider Farm in Mudgley offers a genuinely rustic experience, with cider fermented in large barrels the old-fashioned way and no set opening hours beyond a phone call to arrange a visit. It is a useful contrast to the more polished visitor experiences at Sheppy’s and Thatchers.
Cheese Stops Along the Way
Somerset’s cheese heritage runs alongside its cider, with Cheddar Gorge giving its name to the county’s most famous export. Bath Soft Cheese and Godminster’s organic vintage cheddar are regularly found at farmers’ markets and farm shops across the county, and several cider farms, including Sheppy’s, pair their own cheese counters directly with cider tastings, making it easy to sample both without a separate stop.
The Somerset Food Trail Festival
Each July, the Somerset Food Trail Festival opens around 150 farms, food businesses and producers to the public over a series of weekends, based loosely on the “open studios” model used by regional arts trails. Unlike a fixed route, the festival works on an interactive map, letting visitors build their own trail based on what is nearby or appealing, from cheese tastings and vineyard tours to guided cycle safaris around local dairies and cider farms. Outside festival dates, most of the farms and shops featured remain open to visitors year-round, just without the special events and tastings laid on specifically for the festival.
Planning a Self-Guided Somerset Food Trail
- Base yourself centrally, Taunton or Wells make good hubs, since most cider farms and farm shops sit within a 30-minute drive
- Book tours in advance where offered, particularly Thatchers and Sheppy’s, since guided tours run on set days rather than continuously
- Arrange a designated driver, given the number of tastings involved across multiple stops
- Check festival dates if visiting in July, since the Somerset Food Trail Festival adds special events, though the core farm shops remain open year-round regardless
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Somerset Food Trail Festival the only time to visit these farms?
No, most of the cider farms and farm shops featured during the July festival are open to visitors year-round. The festival simply adds special tastings, tours and events on top of normal opening hours.
Do I need to book cider farm tours in advance?
For structured tours, such as those at Thatchers and Sheppy’s, yes, since these run on set days and can have limited spaces, while many farm shops themselves welcome walk-in visitors during normal hours.
What is Somerset most famous for in terms of food and drink?
Cider and cheese, particularly Cheddar cheese, which takes its name from the county’s Cheddar Gorge, alongside a strong tradition of farmhouse and artisan cider production dating back centuries.
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About the author: The Stony Port editorial team researches UK destination and food travel guides to help travellers plan with confidence.
