Out & about
Quantocks Hills
Halse lies a few miles from the foot of the Quantock Hills, designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). They offer everything from rolling hills and open meadows to broad leaved woodland and twisting lanes flanked by ancient hedgerows. There are many well-marked circular routes. Visit www.quantockonline.co.uk/walking for a range of gentle and more arduous walks.
Garden delights nearby
Some of the most beautiful gardens in England are less than half an hours drive away. Explore the abundance of local gardens from those landscaped by Sir Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll at Hestercombe Gardens outside of Taunton to the Tudor delights of Barrington Court near Illminster. Fyne Court, the popular nature reserve is just 10 miles away while the medieval manor and gardens at Cothay Manor is half an hour away.
West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway offers 20 miles of heritage railway through stunning Somerset countryside. Bishop’s Lydeard station just three miles away is the first of ten unique stations on the journey by historic steam engines to the coast at Minehead. Contact www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Taunton Racecourse
Taunton Racecourse two miles outside of the town is one of the most beautiful in the country with outstanding views of the Blackdown Hills. There are regular steeple-chasing midweek race days throughout the autumn and winter. Contact www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk
Golf
There are four golf courses within a ten miles radius of Halse all open to non-members.
Oake Manor Golf Club, Oake TA4 1BA . 5 miles away www.oakmanor.com
Enmore Park Golf Club TA5 2AN 5 miles away www.enmorepark.co.uk
Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club TA 3 7BY .10 miles away www.tauntongolf.co.uk
Vivary Park Golf Club, Taunton TA1 3PY. 8 miles away www.better.org.uk
National Trust properties
The National Trust has a number of properties in the county of Somerset. Dunster Castle and gardens Lytes Cary Manor, Barrington Court and Montacute House are the nearest, but there are also Tyntesfield [49 mins] and the magnificent Stourhead [56 mins] a little further away.
Exmoor
A 20-minute drive northwest takes you to Raleighs Cross and the start of Exmoor National Park with its wonderful open spaces, heather topped moorland with wild red deer and iconic Exmoor ponies. You can explore on foot or bike. Contact www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Museum lovers
The Museum of Somerset in the heart of Taunton lies within the 12th century Taunton Castle and tells the rich and often bloody history of the county. Contact www.swheritage.org.uk