Quaint countryside town ‘perfect for autumn visit’ known around the world for one drink
One town in Somerset is perfect for a getaway at this time of year - just don't expect your pint to be a beer.
There’s something magical about the English countryside in autumn as the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp. Although many people flock to its towns and cities over summer, now is the perfect time for a more serene escape, and one place where cobbled lanes meet cosy pubs could be the ideal option for some much-needed R&R.
Tucked away in the gentle hills of Somerset lies a small market town that has recently caught international attention. Named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the best places to visit in the UK this autumn, this charming corner of the West Country captures everything people love about Britain’s countryside. Bruton was once a sleepy stop between Bath and Bristol to the Dorset coast, and although the town has a population of just 3,000, it has blossomed into a destination perfect for anyone wanting a bit of peace and quiet, but still with plenty of pubs and restaurants to cosy up in.
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Lined with centuries-old stone cottages and some fantastic pubs, here locals greet you with a smile, but instead of your usual pint of beer, Somerset is cider country - and it makes some of the world’s best. According to the travel guide, this is the season for apple picking and pressing, and when autumn rolls around, the town is a hotspot for apple lovers.
Condé Nast wrote: “When South African Koos Bekker and his wife Karen Roos turned Hadspen House into The Newt in Somerset, planting 267 varieties of apple trees in the process, it was destined to become a hotspot for cider (or cyder as it is known here).”
For those looking to stretch their legs, visitors can wander along the River Brue, explore the independent boutiques on the High Street, or stop for a warming coffee, tea or even something stronger at one of the town’s artisan cafés.
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The town’s restaurants and inns make the most of Somerset’s seasonal produce; think hearty stews, fresh cheeses with Cheddar Gorge only around the corner, and the best apple crumble you'll ever taste.
And for those who love exploring, nearby villages like Castle Cary and Batcombe offer even more postcard-worthy scenes.
It's also easily accessible by train from London, with the quickest services taking just over an hour-and-a-half. Bruton also has an impressive list of notable residents, from former Chancellor George Osborne to fashion designer Stella McCartney and TV presenter Sarah Beeny.
After the Covid pandemic, Bruton even became known as the “new Notting Hill” as an influx of Londoners looked to escape the capital for the countryside.
