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A May escape to the Somerset countryside is the perfect time of year. With its long weekends, fresh spring scenery, and early summer warmth, it offers the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and value before the peak holiday season begins.
If you’re considering a luxury lodge stay, here’s why May is the ideal time to book your getaway.
May brings two bank holiday weekends, creating natural opportunities for extended breaks without using additional annual leave.
This makes it the perfect time to slow down and enjoy:
In May, Somerset comes into its own. The landscape around Cheddar Gorge is lush, green, and full of life, with wildflowers blooming across the countryside and the cliffs glowing in soft spring light.
Guests can expect:
It’s a season that feels both vibrant and peaceful at the same time.
May half term is a key opportunity for families to get away together before the busy summer period begins.
A lodge stay offers space, comfort, and flexibility for families looking to:
Early booking is highly recommended due to high demand during school holidays.
May offers many of the same benefits as peak summer—pleasant weather, long days, and beautiful scenery—but with added advantages:
For guests seeking a luxury experience without the peak-season crowds, a May escape is an ideal choice.
One of the highlights of a May escape in Somerset is dining outdoors. With longer daylight hours, fresh spring air, and some of the most scenic landscapes in the UK, alfresco dining becomes part of the experience rather than just a mealtime choice.
Here are our team’s top five recommended spots for outdoor dining and relaxed scenic meals during your stay, all within easy reach of the lodge.
Just a short drive from your lodge, The Bishop’s Eye in Wells offers a beautifully atmospheric setting in the historic centre. Surrounded by medieval architecture and the charm of one of England’s smallest cities, it’s an elegant and peaceful place to enjoy some meats, cheeses and perfectly paired wines before exploring Wells Cathedral and the surrounding streets.
Set right on the edge of Chew Valley Lakes, Salt & Malt offers relaxed outdoor dining with uninterrupted views across the water. Known for its simple, high-quality Fish ‘n’ Chips and laid-back atmosphere, it’s a favourite local stop for enjoying fresh fish and chips in one of Somerset’s most scenic waterside locations.
A little further afield near Bath, The Hare and Hounds sits high on Lansdown Hill and offers one of the most impressive pub gardens in the region. Guests can enjoy panoramic views while dining on one of the terraces or in the garden, making it ideal for combining a visit to Bath with a relaxed lunch or evening drink.
For a more dramatic city-edge setting, The White Lion at the The Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, Bristol offers lovely, relaxed pub food overlooking the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge. The terrace provides one of the most striking dining backdrops in the South West, combining city energy with natural scenery.
Just a short drive from the lodge, The Castle of Comfort in East Harptree offers a charming and intimate countryside setting. Surrounded by rolling Mendip scenery, it’s a peaceful spot for enjoying a relaxed drink or dining outdoors while taking in the quiet beauty of rural Somerset. One for the families with traditional pub menus and extensive garden and play area.
May also marks the arrival of one of Somerset’s simplest seasonal pleasures—fresh Cheddar strawberries.
Grown just a stone’s throw from the Gorge, these strawberries are a true taste of early summer in the countryside. Naturally sweet, full of flavour, and picked at their peak, they’re a reminder of how rewarding local, seasonal produce can be.
For many of our guests, picking up a punnet from a nearby farm shop or fruit stall has become part of the May ritual—whether enjoyed back at the lodge on the terrace, or taken along for a picnic on the Mendip Hills.
It’s a detail that captures the essence of this time of year: slower days, local flavours, and the simple pleasure of eating something grown just a few miles away.
Our team live and work in the area, so here are their personal recommendations to help you experience Somerset like a local.
Arrive before mid-morning to enjoy slightly cooler temperatures, easier parking & quieter paths and view points. You’ll get to see plenty of baby goats this time of year too!
The views from the Mendip Hills are at their most spectacular in late spring evenings. Bring a drink, a blanket, and take it all in. Accessible from many points including from the doorstep of our Park!
We recommend reserving tables early, especially for popular pubs and restaurants in Cheddar and surrounding villages. We’re so luck to have an incredible array of local food spots which we frequently shout about – some hidden gems and some renowned and award winning!
Some of the most memorable experiences are the quieter ones—small villages like Wedmore, hidden walking routes off the beaten track, and local farm shops and village shops offering seasonal produce. Check out the fresh fruit stalls just a short walk or drive from us in Draycott (Cheddar Strawberries!).
May is as much about slowing down as it is about exploring. Enjoy your private terrace, unwind with a book, or simply listen to the countryside around you while melting into your hot tub.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat, a family break, or a peaceful countryside stay, May is one of the best times to experience Strawberryfield Park near Cheddar Gorge.
With demand increasing around bank holidays and half term, early booking ensures you secure the best availability and lodge choice.
We look forward to welcoming you for your May escape.