A Guide to Living in Somerset

Where is Somerset?

Somerset is located in the South West of England and is bordered by Devon to the west, Wiltshire to the northwest, Gloucestershire to the north, and Dorset and Hampshire to the east.

Areas in Somerset

Somerset is a large county, with plenty of areas to choose from depending on what you are looking for. If you’re after countryside living, the villages around Glastonbury and Street will be right up your alley, while Bristol is just a short drive away for those who want city amenities on their doorstep.

Bristol – a vibrant city with a great mix of shops, bars, and restaurants, Bristol is a great place to live for anyone looking for city life, but outside the hustle and bustle of London. It is also home to some fantastic schools.

Bath – an historic spa town with excellent transport links, Bath has been named one of the best places in England by The Sunday Times Best Places To Live list because of its great selection of shops, bars, and restaurants.

Yeovil – a market town in South Somerset, Yeovil has excellent transport links and an easy commute into Bristol or further south towards Taunton, making it popular with commuters who want the benefits of living away from busy cities but still having access to great amenities. The local area’s top schools are good enough for most parents to be happy with the choices available.

The New Forest – a popular place for families, The New Forest is in close proximity to Southampton and Bournemouth but also within easy reach of Bath via train or car, making it ideal for commuters who want an easier commute than those living closer to London yet still want to access city amenities.

Universities in Somerset

Bath Spa University and the University for the Creative Arts at Farnham both have campuses in Somerset, making it an excellent place to study.

Bath Spa University – popular for its courses in the arts and humanities, Bath Spa University has a campus just outside of Wells. It is well-known among universities as one that encourages students to take part in extracurricular activities such as music ensembles or sports teams. The university opened its doors in 1966 and now has over 17000 students from more than 120 countries enrolled between its three campuses (in Claverton Down, City and Newton Park) which are all within easy reach of Somerset’s other major towns including Bristol and Taunton. 

University for the Creative Arts at Farnham – founded in 1882 as the Farnham School of Art, it is now one of Britain’s leading art and design universities. Like Bath Spa University, UCA encourages students to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports teams or dance groups. It has a campus just outside of Wells and enrols around 38000 students every year from over 160 countries.

Top Schools in Somerset

There are a number of excellent schools located throughout Somerset, including Millfield School, Wells Cathedral School, The King’s School Bruton and Hazlegrove Preparatory School.

Somerset. It is the largest co-educational boarding school in England. The school has been awarded ‘The Sunday Times’ Best School award four times and was voted number one co-educational boarding school in the world by Tatler magazine in 2016.

Wells Cathedral School – founded by Bishop Robert Belward sometime between 1175 and 1190, children have been educated at Wells Cathedral School for over a thousand years. It is a selective, independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.

The King’s School Bruton – founded in 1519 by John Selwood, the then Bishop of Wells, The King’s School Bruton is the oldest continuously running school in Somerset.

Hazlegrove Preparatory School – a co-educational preparatory school for pupils aged from three to thirteen years old. It is located on an eighty-acre campus near Sparkford, Somerset.

Population of Somerset

The population of Somerset is just over half a million people, making it a relatively small county but with plenty to offer residents.