Selworthy village climbs up a steep, narrow hill with truly breathtaking views from the church at the top - historically known as "Heaven's Gate". The views are of Exmoor are simply stunning and indeed a funeral was just about to take place when we returned to the car and we were quite jealous, thinking "what a place to go!" Tucked away in a tranquil garden just to the side of the church is the perfect thatched cottage, owned by the National Trust. Discreet as can be, indicated only by a small sign by the gate, a tea shop is housed. Inside the perfect thatched cottage is the perfect selection of cakes displayed on the perfect antique cabinet. You will feel like a kid in a sweet shop, the cat who got the cream or Hansel or Gretel. However difficult it may be to deny yourself the cakes which make your eyes nearly pop out your head, you will not be disappointed if you opt instead for the cream tea. Choose from the two-scone or the one- scone (all I had room for) and choose from raspberry (my personal favourite), strawberry or apricot jam and your scone will be fresh and warm with ample cream. The perfect well-used but loved floral china tea service will add to the decadence of it all. The setting is just unbeatable. The hidden nature of the cottage makes you feel even more naughty, and makes you think about keeping the secret to yourelf.
Just off the A39, west of Minehead
It's a mish-mash of alternative music which in the past has been curated by bands such as Shellac, The Breeders, Mogwai, Tortoise and of course, the fans. Not only is there superb music but it's held at Butlins!
The best thing about it for me is being able to go for a swim and bomb down the flumes, come out in your swimmies and go see a band!
Forget slumming it and dealing with dodgy port-a-loos, you stay in your own chalet (private bathroom included) so a party or good night's sleep is on the cards every night, whatever your preference.
Games of five-a-side football on the adjacent beach at 4am are always a blast and if you're more of a crazy golfer you can always find something to do.
Not only does this festival have some of the best music available but it's complimented beautifully by ATP's own TV channel showing films such as Dig, The Fearless Freaks and Achorman as well as series like Peep Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I've been going for the past three years and every year i've persuaded more and more friends to come. If you do make it down I only hope you're lucky enough to meet the crazy Swedes we've met every year for a singstar showdown!
www.atpfestival.com/
Held in the UK at Butlins Minehead or Cambersands. Also have festivals in Oz and New York.
Porlock is situated in the Exmoor countryside and is a village with its own nearby bay and probably the most feared hill in the area. Porlock hill has a 1-in-4 gradient and has been responsible for many an accident over the years. The village is very pretty and certainly worth negotiating the hill for and you can walk to the bay which lies on a salt marsh - an excellent site for bird watching.
From Minehead, travel about 6 miles west along the A39 and watch for the Porlock turn-off.
www.porlock.co.uk/
Rather a gentle old-fashioned seaside resort; the magnificent hills of Exmoor sweep up directly behind the town. The vast Butlin's camp is more or less invisible from most other vantage points.
Beaches are shallow and muddy, with a huge tidal range; I can't recommend them for anything. We camped a few miles along the coast at Blue Anchor Bay, which also has little to recommend it (except for the picture-postcard steam trains of the West Somerset Railway, which pointlessly and uselessly goes almost all of the way into Taunton) - and more muddy beaches.
The nearby Quantocks are great for walking and more fantastic sea views where the line of steep hills hit the coast.
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