Hazel Cottage

About the location

ILMINSTER, SOMERSET

• Barrington 3.7 miles, Montacute 10.8 miles
• Corton Denham 20.9 miles

Ilminster was mentioned in the Domesday Book as a popular settlement and by Tudor times was a thriving town. Unfortunately a fire in early Georgian times burnt down much of the town though some old timber framed buildings can be found. Fortunately donations rolled in and the Georgians rebuilt the town in their own, often imitated, style using the lovely warm yellow stone from nearby Ham Hill.
A walk up Ham Hill is invigorating and walkers often find the pub near the top a welcome stop. The view from the top shows off most of South Somerset. From Hazel Cottage a walk up Herne Hill is more gentle and it gives a wonderful panoramic view of Ilminster. There is of course the walk to Donyatt to see the statue of the evacuee and a lovely walk across the fields to Perry’s Cider Orchard where you can relax in the cafe or go for a walk to see the cider being made. The tourist information office based in the Meeting House in Ilminster can give you details of all the other walks around town.

There are a number of pubs and restaurants in the town with take aways including Indian, Chinese and of course fish and chips. A recent newcomer is Alice Temperley (who has designed dresses for the Princess of Wales) and under the historic building which houses her offices (though she has kept a presence in London) there is a lovely cocktail bar either inside or outside in the beautifully decorated courtyard. Her outlet shop is nearby! There are also some lovely specialist food shops as well as two supermarkets.

Of course it is a historic area with many National Trust properties such as Barrington Court and Montacute House nearby. A lovely walk from the centre of Ilminster is to Dillington House where Lord North lived while Prime Minister. Other places to visit nearby include Haynes Motor museum and the aircraft museum at Yeovilton.

No description of Ilminster is complete without mentioning the Warehouse theatre which seats 150 people and puts on many excellent plays and shows throughout the year. When planning your visit why not look on their website and see if a show coincides with your visit.
Finally on the first Saturday in October Ilminster has ‘Carnival’ when a two hour procession goes through the town from 8pm. Floats, some of them with 20,000 bulbs, are in competition with each other and teams spend a year preparing their float. Entries come from all over Somerset. A spectacle everyone should see at least once in their lives. It is always good humoured and very enjoyable by all ages.