So many people love Somerset, here’s just a few reasons why…
David Warburton MP, Member of Parliament for Somerton and Frome
“The splendour of our unique villages and beautiful market town, each
surrounded by sweeping panoramas of stunning fields and hills, and all
brimming with the energy and enterprise of generous and hospitable
people on every side: these are just a few of the especially rare
qualities which we’re so fortunate to enjoy in Somerset.”
Helen Lacey, Managing Director, Red Berry Recruitment
“I love Somerset because for over 10 years the amazing people and
businesses have supported my business and help it flourish and grow! I
chose Somerset 13 years ago to move here and I love it!”
John Halls, Operations Director, Miles Tea & Coffee
“Somerset – where do I start, it’s just everything the UK has to offer
in one county from the villages, coastline and Exmoor National Park. Our
coastal location has been an inspiration for our recent rebrand at
Miles. The relaxed way of life has allowed us to keep our own small
traditions such as tea breaks for all the staff: everything stops for
tea. We like to take a moment to relax and enjoy a cup of ‘Somerset
warmth.”
James Heappey MP, Member of Parliament for the Wells Constituency
“Somerset is just the most amazing county. We've got the most stunning
landscape, magnificent buildings, world beating food and drink and one
of the most important cultural events on earth. But what I love more
than anything else about our incredible county is the extraordinary
range of things that are going on, all the time, in every village and
town. People love living here and they show that love by forging the
most brilliant communities. Who would ever live anywhere else?”
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Explorer
“I love Somerset above all other counties in England. In particular,
it has the best National Park in the whole world – Exmoor – where I have
spent the happiest days of my life.”
James Purefoy (Actor)
“I love Somerset because it’s where I feel most myself.”
Valerie Stones, GBBO Contestant
“I have lived in Somerset for thirty-four years, longer than I lived in
Yorkshire. Somerset has everything that I left behind when I moved here
(or else I would never have been tempted away from Yorkshire). Somerset
is so beautiful: it has hills, moors, a gorge, caves and a coastline. It
has castles, cathedrals, grand estates and cottages. It has a wealth of
wildlife in the woods, waterways and wetlands. I never tire of its
beauty, there is always something to see throughout every season. Most
of all what I like about Somerset is that the people made us welcome and
continue to do so. As a head teacher I was always supported by my
lovely parents as together we looked after their children.”
Roger Saul, Owner of Kilver Court
“Somerset is my birthplace, my home, it is part of my soul.
Murmurations of starlings; sunrise behind the silhouette of Glastonbury
Tor; the glow on the evening horizon from a trillion Carnival-float
light bulbs or the throbbing heartbeat of the headline Festival act on a
still summers night - these are the essence of my Somerset.”
Martin Roberts, TV presenter, Property Expert and Journalist
“Everything about the word 'Somerset' conjures up images that cheer and
inspire, that melt the heart and ease the mind. For once, it's a word
and a county that doesn't disappoint.”
Kevin McCloud, MBE
“I’m very proud to live in Somerset and wholeheartedly recommend the
quality of life it has to offer. What with Farmers’ markets, independent
breweries, commercial cider makers, cheese makers and other local
producers, Somerset is blessed with delicious food and drink. Over 400
different varieties of cider apple are grown in Somerset – just one
example of this county’s fabulous diversity. Somerset Day is a
fitting tribute to celebrate this big and beautiful county, so come
along to Taunton on 11th May and find out for yourself.”
Valerie Singleton, Presenter
“I am very much enjoying living in Somerset having lived just over the
border in Dorset for many years. I am particularly fond of Wells, Bath,
Frome and Castle Cary as places to visit. I am a patron of the Secret
World Animal Rescue, near Bridgwater and Happy Landings at Pylle near
Shepton Mallet. The Chapel at Bruton is a favourite haunt and eating
place for me.”
Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Festival
“I didn’t think I’d survive originally but looking back over nearly
fifty years of running this thing, Somerset is the only place the
Festival could have happened. It’s the only place it could have become
so big, it’s the only place it could have survived so long.
Somerset is full of non-conformists and original thinkers, it’s very
anti-establishment. It has been since my family moved here over 150
years ago, has been for hundreds of years before that. We were
Methodists in Pilton, there were Quakers in Street. Especially Richard
Clark who was actually chairman of planning and recommended that
planning should be approved. That was so important, alongside all the
other stuff that normally gets thrown in about the ley lines, the
history and the legends.
There’s nowhere else in the country I would have got away with it.”
His Grace the Duke of Somerset
“The 6th Duke of Somerset gave an intriguing insight into the
government’s initial disorder following Monmouth’s landing at Lyme Regis
when he wrote to the then Secretary of State, the Earl of Sunderland ‘I
have only one regiment and one troop of horse which I am afraid will
hardly stand because the others have showed them the way to run, the
enemy is now at Bridgwater, which is in ten miles of where I am’. I am
delighted to forge a further link between my family and Somerset by
accepting the invitation to become Somerset Day's first patron.”