With mile upon mile of verdant countryside, a dramatic coastline, and oodles of picture-perfect west country villages, Somerset is a popular spot for UK holidays for good reason.
For outdoorsy types, the county offers a bounty of choice. From ancient woodlands to seaside pursuits, there is no shortage of things to do in Somerset's great outdoors. There are plenty of iconic attractions and landmarks too, from the jaw-dropping sight of Cheddar Gorge and the opulence of Wells Cathedral to the famous Glastonbury Tor topped with its 15th-century tower.
And when it comes to architecture, it's hard to beat the city of Bath, which offers some of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the country. For more laidback vibes, Bristol is a city packed full of character and culture.
But of course, whether you're rambling about the Quantock Hills or day-tripping in Bath, you'll need fuelling. And if it's a Sunday, there's only one meal that will do: the Sunday roast. Let us guide you through the county’s best spots for indulging the very finest of British traditions…
Castle Farm, Midford
Castle Farm is a family-run restaurant set in a barn on a verdant organic farm south of Bath. While they offer a range of dining experiences, including a weekly curry night and monthly supper club, their roast dinners are fast approaching legendary status.
Homemade roast potatoes, locally sourced 42-day-aged beef rump, chicken, and pork, and a gravy so good people can't resist asking for more. Speaking of asking for more, the owners are all for customers going a bit Oliver Twist on them!
As well as soft drinks, you'll find local ciders, craft beers, and English wines. And once you've had your fill, you can take a turn around the garden and enjoy the sweeping views across the Midford Valley.
Sunday lunches here are wildly popular, with bookings regularly blocked out for months in advance. So if you want to bag a table for your next Somerset break, early booking is advisable.
The Chequers, Bath
Nestled down a smart street of Georgian terraces, you'll find The Chequers in beautiful Bath. It has a Michelin Bib Gourmand in recognition of its good quality, good value cooking, and when it comes to Sunday lunch, you're in for a treat.
Inside is understated elegance: think parquet floors, chalkboard menus, and fabulous lighting. The atmosphere feels cosy, and the service is top-notch.
The Sunday lunch menu includes starters like roasted bone marrow with pickled red cabbage, or burrata with torched blood orange. For the main event, choose from Hereford x Aberdeen Angus sirloin, West End Farm pork belly or Creedy Carver chicken supreme, each served with duck fat roast potatoes and all the trimmings. There are vegetarian options and a couple of non-roast options too, including fish of the day. And if there's room? Crack out the elasticated trousers and pick from the tempting puddings. We're going for the sticky toffee pudding!
Afterwards, enjoy a stroll around one of the romantic places in the UK. The honey-hued streets of Bath are home to ancient spas, smart boutiques, and impressive architecture.
The Pony Chew Valley, Chew Magna
Sitting on the edge of the Mendip Hills, you'll find The Pony Chew Valley, a produce-led restaurant home to a cookery school and kitchen garden to boot. An ex-pub, today the restaurant is guided by the seasons with its produce reflected in the ever-changing menu.
Speaking of which, the Sunday lunch menu is always evolving. You might start with a light snack of quail scotch egg before tucking into a winter vegetable soup and cider rarebit. Mains include a choice of roasts, from local beef to pork; there's usually a vegetarian and fish option to choose from as well. There are sides aplenty to choose from (cauliflower and leek cheese for us, please) and plenty of button-popping puds like the Bristol beer factory sticky toffee, date, and walnut pudding.
Afterwards, why not consider a class at the cookery school? Events vary throughout the year but include the likes of a Middle Eastern cooking workshop and, for the more practical among you, a guide to 30-minute meals. Jamie, move over!
The White Horse, Exford
Nestled in the rolling landscapes of Exmoor National Park, The White Horse is a quintessential countryside pub through and through. Ivy climbs the outside walls, while the lovely outdoor garden overlooks the gently flowing river - perfect for a refreshing reprieve when walking across the moors. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, stop by this welcoming pub on a Sunday afternoon when you’ll find a button-popping carvery on the menu.
Packed with all your Sunday favourites, you can sit down to a giddy mix of meats, alongside perfectly cooked local veg and a veritable lake of gravy. Finish your meal off with a hearty serving of apple and rhubarb crumble or a selection of local cheeses, which pair perfectly with a dram of one of the 200 whiskies on offer.
Exmoor is home to an excellent selection of walks, from riverside wanders to sprawling moorland stomps, an ideal way to work up an appetite for your Sunday carvery.
The Babbling Brook, Shurton
The Babbling Brook is a 16th-century inn in the hamlet of Shurton on the edge of the Quantock Hills that does a cracking Sunday carvery.
Extremely popular, there are sittings throughout the afternoon and takeaway options too. Each week, you can choose from three meats and a vegan-friendly nut roast. And then, of course, the trimmings. Oh, the trimmings! You can choose from pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing, gluten-free and vegan-friendly gravy and more vegetables than you can shake a fork at!
Afterwards, a stomp about the Quantock Hills is most certainly in order. England's first National Landscape, here you'll find a beguiling wilderness. Explore oak woodlands, ancient parklands, and heathland. Or if the coast beckons, it’s just 10 miles to Watchet, an ancient harbour town packed full of charm and a lovely beach.
The Anchor Inn, Hillfarrance
You'll find The Anchor Inn in a small parish, 4 miles west of Taunton. Run by the same family for 18 years, this place has earned its reputation. The pub itself dates back to 1737, where it became a hub for the local community and has remained so ever since.
Recognised at the Taste of the West Gold awards and included in the Good Beer Guide, the food here is top-notch and the service friendly too. The pub is known for its small plates and Greek-inspired gyros, but on a Sunday, it's got to be the Sunday roast. This is a great option for people with dietary requirements, as they offer a range of gluten-free and dairy-free dishes as standard.
So what can you expect? Local farmed beef, Devon pork, and homemade nutroasts with all the trimmings. They also offer homemade pies and a few other limited mains so you can finish your week however you choose.
Afterwards, head into town for a march around Taunton Castle and Museum, where you can dive deep into the county's fascinating history.
Fountain Inn, Wells
An especially pretty Cathedral city, Wells is a must-visit destination when visiting Somerset. And while you're there, book yourself a table at The Fountain Inn for their Sunday roast. But fair warning - it gets booked up fast, so act quick.
A self-declared gastropub, the Sunday menu here features a few quirkier options. Anyone for smoked mackerel with wasabi pate to start?
When it comes to mains, however, you can expect all the usual big players, including beef, local roast pork, and a vegetarian nut roast. There is also the popular 'roast medley' option, so you can taste a bit of everything. Plus, there's plenty of non-roast options too for those who fancy something a little different.
The Fountain Inn is within walking distance of the cathedral, so why not enjoy a wander after lunch? Built between 1175 and 1490, the Cathedral has been described as ‘the most poetic of the English Cathedrals,’ which is a rather charming reason to visit. Alternatively, head to your car and drive 10 miles up the road to Cheddar Gorge, one of the most dramatic places in the UK.
The Canal Inn, Wrantage
A coastal plain sweeping out between the Mendips and the Quantocks, the Somerset Levels is a wetlands area rich in wildlife and history. The top place to bag a roast in the area? The Canal Inn, of course!
The independent inn offers an unusually late roast, with sittings taking place between 12pm to 7.30pm. Plump for a table by the roaring log fire to enjoy a Sunday roast in its most traditional setting.
Roast options include 40-day dry-aged sirloin of beef, confit pork belly, and roast chicken with stuffing. There are vegetarian options too and plenty of extra goodies like lip-smacking gravy, cauliflower cheese, and honey mustard roast carrots. If you book a table in advance, you could also order a sharing option, like the beef wellington for two or a 1kg Tomahawk steak.
Once you’re done dining in the beautifully refurbished 200-year-old inn, head outside for a walk around the Somerset Levels.
The Old Bath Arms, Frome
Rated the number one spot in Frome for Sunday roasts, you can't visit the quaint town without stopping by The Old Bath Arms to fill your boots!
There's a huge list of roasts to choose from here, including beef, lamb, chicken, turkey and not one but two types of pork! Why not go all in and order yourself a four-meat roast? There are also OAP discounts and children's portions available, not to mention vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
After tucking into your lunch, head to Cheap Street, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe with ancient cobbled roads, historic buildings, and interesting shops.
Feeling peckish for a Sunday roast in Somerset? Browse our collection of holiday cottages in Somerset and start planning your next adventure into the heart of the West Country.
