Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor.jpg" alt="tricia rawlingson plant mill on the brue" class="wp-image-95058" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-tricia-rawlingson-plant-mill-on-the-brue_2-Fotor-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tricia Rawlingson Plant and her late husband Tony brought a soulless 9-hole golf course back to vibrant, verdant life by replanting trees and hedgerows and turning a river valley in 25 acres of fields and woods into one of the UK&#8217;s top outdoor activity centres.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215.jpg" alt="Mill on the Brue, Bruton, Somerset" class="wp-image-94689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/03/Mill-on-the-brue-BL8A3215-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Children and adults have now been coming to <a href="https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/">Mill on the </a><a href="https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">B</a><a href="https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/">rue</a> for over 40 years, and with its giant zip wires, canoeing, rafting, water slide, tunnelling, climbing, high ropes, assault and bushcraft courses, day and residential camps, birthday parties, team-building events and more, we can see why. </p>



<p>So that&#8217;s you and me sorted; but where does Tricia like to go for fun (and her shopping)?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alfred-s-tower-stourton"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/king-alfreds-tower" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alfred&#8217;s Tower</a>, Stourton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n.jpg" alt="The alpine coffee co alfreds tower" class="wp-image-95011" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-alpine-coffee-co-429775789_454064203609922_649669983158841075_n-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Alpine Coffee Co at Alfred&#8217;s Tower</figcaption></figure>



<p>I walk every day as I have two dogs who insist on being exercised, rain or shine and Alfred&#8217;s Tower, in the woods on the National Trust&#8217;s Stourhead Estate, is one of our favourite places. It has become very popular and sometimes quite crowded but we go on tracks where we still meet no one and then return to have a delicious coffee and cake at Ben&#8217;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thealpinecoffeeco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alpine Coffee Co</a> bus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cole-s-yard-wincanton"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/colesyardwincanton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cole&#8217;s Yard</a>, Wincanton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-95007" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-coles-yard-434463825_1127051388697908_9193352529355568995_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Owned by Claudia and very often managed by Lydia, this fruit and veg shop is full of stunning fresh produce and you can pick one lemon or apple or kilos. All in paper bags, not a piece of plastic in sight. There is also plenty of coffee, tea, rice, pasta and chocolate and a coffee machine for the well-earned cappuccino. Lydia makes willow baskets and has now opened a little shop next to the main one. The staff are so friendly, helpful – and chatty!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bell-and-crown-zeals"><a href="https://www.bellandcrown.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell and Crown</a>, Zeals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor.jpg" alt="Bell and Crown, Zeals" class="wp-image-95001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-bell-and-crown-378148183_802656471864994_2225193056672195450_n_Fotor-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This is still a ‘proper’ pub, where the rugby is watched enthusiastically, certainly not minimalist, nor boasts to be a gastro pub but offers delicious meals served by delightful staff.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kingston-deverill-near-mere"><a href="https://www.upperdeverills.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingston Deverill</a>, near Mere</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-95023" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/000-2012__Kingston_Deverill_from_the_B3095_-_geograph_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kingston Deverill from the B3095 by Maurice Pullin. Creative Commons Licence</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another favourite place to walk is from Kingston Deverill up onto the downs. Late May, early June and the wild flowers are blooming, the views&nbsp; fantastic, you can see for miles on a clear day, and walk forever without coming across another soul.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kimbers-farm-shop-near-wincanton"><a href="https://www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimbers&#8217; Farm Shop</a>, near Wincanton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-95025" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-kimbers-farm-shop-0746408_842864382557818_3270428846899253973_o_Fotor-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This is on the road from Wincanton to Bruton. All their meat comes either from their farm or nearby. There’s lots of local produce too, from bread, cheeses and milk, to cider and beer. &nbsp;I remember asking once where the lamb came from – ‘that field’ was the reply! There is also an excellent café which provides coffees, teas and good lunches at a reasonable price.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wells-cathedral"><a href="https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Cathedral </a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker.jpg" alt="Wells Cathedral" class="wp-image-74352" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/wells-cathedral-by-Sue-Tucker-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>School trips began my fascination with this beautiful ancient building. When, as a family we returned to the West Country to live, one of the first things I insisted we did was go to the cathedral. We came across the tombstone of a knight with a skeleton underneath. My three year old son looked at it and said to his father: ‘Look daddy, bunk beds just like ours’. It’s remained a family joke.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-at-the-chapel-bruton"><a href="https://atthechapel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At the Chapel</a>, Bruton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1499" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n.jpg" alt="at the chapel bruton" class="wp-image-95010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-768x767.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-at-the-chapel-300956190_2594095130727672_7674298246476772212_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I remember before it became a restaurant, owned by rather an eccentric man. I always thought it would make a great community centre and in fact it has become a meeting place for many. A fun place to go for coffee or lunch and see if you can identify anyone you know there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bruton-museum"><a href="https://www.brutonmuseum.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bruton Museum</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="923" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/bruton-museum-1.png" alt="bruton museum" class="wp-image-95013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/bruton-museum-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/bruton-museum-1-800x738.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/bruton-museum-1-400x369.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/bruton-museum-1-768x709.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Run by volunteers, there are special exhibitions but also permanent artefacts [like author John Steinbeck&#8217;s writing desk from when he lived in Bruton, and Queen Victoria&#8217;s bloomers] which have been donated by Brutonians over the years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-north-uist-outer-hebrides">North Uist, Outer Hebrides</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-solas-beach-tricia-rawlingson-plant_Fotor.jpg" alt="Solas beach North Uist Outer Hebrides" class="wp-image-95028" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-solas-beach-tricia-rawlingson-plant_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-solas-beach-tricia-rawlingson-plant_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-solas-beach-tricia-rawlingson-plant_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/04/00-solas-beach-tricia-rawlingson-plant_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I love the islands, the wildness, the beauty and Solas beach has it all. On a sunny day the sea is turquoise and the sands white – one could be in the Mediterranean but without the parasols and the tanned bodies. No one for miles. Perfect!</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mill on the Brue</a>, Trendle Farm, Tower Hill, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0BA, 01749 812307.</em></strong></p>


My favourite places: Tricia Rawlingson-Plant of Mill on the Brue in Bruton

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