When I worked in the Midsomer Norton area many years ago, Farrington’s was the cute little farm shop where I spent many a lunch hour. Today, it’s grown into an award-winning cafe, farm shop and shopping village – every inch as charming as it always was – and I’m lucky enough to now live close by with my young family.

Located on a working farm, it’s somewhere we love to visit – especially at this time of year. The farm shop sells home-grown and locally sourced produce, meat, artisan cheeses and homemade preserves – and their hampers make fantastic gifts.

In the shopping village you’ll find fresh cut Christmas trees, locally crafted gifts, restored furniture, clothes and children’s accessories, as well as a florist, fishmongers, nursery, pottery workshop and – my personal favourite – a delicious little fish and chip shop.

But if fish and chips won’t cut it then back at the farm cafe you’ll find a menu full of delicious hot meals, sandwiches and cakes, much of it made with the farm’s home-grown produce. They also serve a healthy menu for adults and children over at the fantastic play barn – my twins’ favourite part of Farrington’s.

That said, at this time of year, Santa’s grotto trumps the play barn. With its twinkling fairy lights and gentle atmosphere, my children had a magical experience there last Christmas and can’t wait to go back.

Images by Karen Walk

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Tucked away in the pretty little village of Faulkland, near Radstock, is Horsepond Farm, the home of Somerset Lavender. From the moment we arrived, the delicate scent of lavender enveloped us. Visitors can roam freely around both of the five-acre fields, many of which are keen photographers capturing the intense purple set against the green of the surrounding countryside.

The gentle hum of bees filled the air as they busily collected nectar from the thousands of lavender plants, before returning to the hives dotted around the fields to make the farm’s own honey.

After gently exploring the fields, we retired to the cafe and rose garden to relax. In addition to delicious homemade cakes and lunches, homemade infusions like white tea with lavender, and lavender and vanilla sorbet can be enjoyed in the garden, where a duck pond and a handful of small pets kept our little visitors entertained while we sampled the interesting menu.

The well-kept gardens heave with colourful blooms, and contrast beautifully with the backdrop of purple lavender across the fields. The children even discovered a willow tunnel, which was perfect for weaving in and out of and playing hide and seek.

A farm shop boasts a wide range of homemade lavender products, and outside there is a large converted circular tank full of potted herbs and lavender plants. The children picked their favourite variety, and we took a little piece of this beautiful lavender farm home with us to plant in our own garden and enjoy.

Images by Karen Walk

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Part of the draw of moving from the city to the countryside was to enjoy more walks and scenery on our doorstep. So we were delighted to discover that Ebbor Gorge, a beauty spot tucked away in the Mendip Hills, is just a short drive away from our new home.

Located just minutes from the A39 near Wells, we discovered this walk early in the year, having parked in Wookey Hole village to explore the nearby footpaths branching from the road. We wandered through woodland paths, clambered over stiles, and found ourselves at the bottom of this magnificent gorge.

Holding on tight to little hands, the four of us scrambled over the rocks as we ascended through the narrowing gorge. At one point near the top, you could reach out and almost touch either side of it with your fingertips. From the top, a panoramic view of the Somerset Levels and the gorge below awaits you. Glastonbury Tor thrusts from the landscape in the distance while the quiet city of Wells nestles close by. Flasks of tea and squash were drained and chocolate devoured as we enjoyed the spectacular view before us.

We walked there as a family again recently, choosing a different route by parking at the top again, but walking up through the fields surrounding the gorge, returning to the viewing spot at the top. Being there in summer was a visual treat. Fields that were once empty were heaving with wild flowers. While we relaxed in the sunshine after our picnic, the twins ran around like wild things through the long grasses, blowing dandelion fluff through the breeze, wading through the stream, roaring at the bear sculpture made from willow, chasing butterflies in the meadow. They were very happy children indeed, truly content in nature’s playground.

Images by Karen Walk

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