I think Sunday lunches are best enjoyed after a very long walk or cycle. The food always seems to taste so much better. Fortunately, there are some great places to walk and cycle close to us here in Glastonbury. Here are a few of my favourites:
Walking Distance from Middlewick
You can leave your car behind here at Middlewick and take a walk over Glastonbury Tor and into the bustling town of Glastonbury. The shops are all open on a Sunday so you can enjoy a bit of retail therapy. At the Market Square turn down Benedict Street and walk for about 5 minutes until you find my favourite music pub, The King Arthur. They serve up a fantastic Sunday Roast Lunch accompanied by some great music. If the weather is nice there is a large garden in the back to sit and enjoy your food in. Dogs and Children are very welcome here. King Arthur Pub Glastonbury
A stroll through the countryside
The Red Lion in West Pennard makes a great lunch destination. From Glastonbury, the walk is up and over the Glastonbury Tor to Stonedown Lane. From us here it is a short walk through our back fields past Gog and Magog to join the Lane. At the bottom of Stonedown Lane, you will find Norwood Park House and a public footpath beside their kitchen gardens. From there the way is marked with Red Lion signs that will take you across farmers’ fields for 3 miles to the pub. The Red Lion
A Short Drive away from us here at Middlewick
Rose and Portcullis is a great pub ideally located for some great cycling or walks through the extensive paths of Combe Hill Woods (check out my blog page here: Polden Way). Based in the village of Butleigh, it is extremely popular with locals so do make sure you book in first. Rose and Portcullis Combe Hill Wood.
Sheppey Inn is one of the top 10 restaurants in Somerset and so worth a visit. It has a lovely deck that backs onto the River Sheppey so perfect sunny Sunday destination. Located in the village of Godney, the cycling and walks are fantastic around the quiet lanes on the Somerset Levels. The more adventurous could hire a kayak to travel through the waterways of the Somerset Levels. Kayak Hire
A little bit further away from Glastonbury
Nunney Acoustic Café. This is my secret favourite Sunday lunch destination. You will find it in the tucked-away Nunney village hall. Not only is the food fantastic (it is run by our resident Middlewick chef- Keren Hayden), but you also get to enjoy 4 hours of great music. It only happens once a month, every second Sunday and is on from 2pm-6pm. The café has been going for many years now and it has a reputation for showcasing some great new musical talents. Nunney Castle and the surrounding footpaths are perfect for a great walk before or after food. Follow them on Facebook to keep up to date. Nunney Acoustic Café
The Kitchen Langport is another waterside Café located on the River Parrett, in Bow Wharf. The River has a 50-mile pathway that starts in Dorset and then heads through the Somerset Levels, into Langport and then ends in Bridgwater. The food at the Kitchen is always delicious, they also have an Artisan bakery in the town itself but it isn’t open on Sunday. The Café is open from 8.30-4pm every day. You can hire bicycles at Parrett Trail Bikes.
Chilcompton was once a bustling little village up until its railway station closed in 1966. It is a charming place to wander around and it is here you will find The Redan Inn. The Inn is a recently renovated pub, which does not look very exciting from the outside but inside you will find fabulous food and a yummy Sunday lunch menu at £16 for 2 courses or £20 for 3 courses.
For a longer walk, 1 mile away you will find the Fosse Way which is a Roman Road that links Exeter to Lincoln. This section is called Colliers Way and there are footpaths along it to take advantage of. For cyclists, the National Cycle Route Number 24 passes through nearby Midsomer Norton and heads up to Bath. Most of the lanes around here are quite quiet so makes for nice cycling and the Old Bath Road to Wells is a picturesque route. The Redan Inn
The Duck at Burtle is an Award-winning gastro-pub on the Somerset Levels. This pub is conveniently located on the way to or from the M5 so a perfect stop on your way home or on the way to us here in Glastonbury. It is also very close to the Avalon Marshes Centre so a great destination after a long walk or cycle around the Nature Reserve. Open all day on a Sunday.
