It’s no exaggeration to say that after twenty years of writing and updating a multitude of different guidebooks, writing Slow Somerset was the one that gave me most pleasure.

This wonderfully diverse county frequently confounded expectations, from the discovery of a hospital cemetery in Wells, to seeing common cranes on the Somerset Levels and exploring the wreck of a Norwegian barque on Berrow Beach.

But one of the greatest joys was having the opportunity to explore what was literally on my doorstep (I live in Chilcompton), not only because I got to write about the people and places you rarely hear about in other guidebooks, but I never truly appreciated what was just down the road – such as Chew Valley and Blagdon.

I spent a leisurely couple of days exploring both lakes, which included an enlightening afternoon at Yeo Valley in the company of the farm’s gregarious owner, Sarah Mead – and if you haven’t been, both the organic garden and canteen are fabulous.

There were lesser-known surprises too, not least the discovery of an old railway halt in Blagdon village, from the time when the station functioned as the last stop on the Wrington Vale Light Railway line, which closed in 1963.

Another unexpected highlight was the Stanton Drew circles which, unbeknown to me (and many others, I suspect), is the third largest complex of standing stones in the country. Naturally, this being Somerset, there was plenty of cider to boot along the way.

Don’t miss Somerset Cider Brandy at Burrow Hill – the country’s only apple distillery – and if you’ve never been to Roger Wilkins’ Cider Barn, make haste before he retires!

Given the current restrictions we all face, there is no better time to indulge in this wonderful county of ours, even if you do have to stay fairly local – and if Slow is your thing, then

Somerset will be too.

You can order the book from bradtguides.com, or from me, which I will sign and hand-deliver! Email: [email protected]; Twitter: normlongley;

Tel: 07814 032532.

Norm Longley