About Somerset
Somerset is a fantastic place to live and work.
Illustrative map of Somerset (click on the image to view in a new window)
Somerset is one of Britain’s most historic counties with one of the newest, and largest, unitary councils in England. Somerset Council brought together the staff and services of the County Council and four district Councils: Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset and Somerset West and Taunton in April 2023. The new Council has a 5,000-strong workforce, 110 elected Councillors, and a gross budget of £1bn, covering a population of more than 560,000.
The county has challenges that are typical of rural communities. High levels of employment hide how much work is seasonal and poorly paid. The lack of a university in the County leads many young people to leave the area to complete their education. But Somerset is hitting back as an economic powerhouse.
New reactors are being built at Hinkley Point C – one of Europe’s largest construction projects, with a thriving local supply chain. Our low-carbon energy sector means we are also a home to the National College for Nuclear, which will grow in significance and impact alongside the government’s energy strategy. There’s the ground-breaking iAero centre in Yeovil, created as a centre for green aviation. The Council developed the centre in partnership with local but international helicopter manufacturer Leonardo. Meanwhile, our Enterprise Zone, the Gravity Smart Campus near Bridgwater is set to create up to 7,500 jobs as a centre for clean growth and innovation.
Despite this drive and growth, Somerset continues to retain a quiet, rural charm and character with four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stunning Exmoor National Park, and an exceptional food and farming industry producing some of Britain’s highest quality produce. Wells Cathedral is arguably the most beautiful in the UK while other attractions include Bridgwater Carnival, the world’s largest illuminated procession. And Glastonbury Festival, which becomes the UK’s biggest pop-up city for five days each year.
Community spirit is strong in Somerset, particularly in the county’s many market towns and villages, making it one of the best places to live in the UK.
The area covered by Somerset Council covers one National Park (Exmoor), four Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (the Quantock Hills, Mendip Hills, Blackdown Hills and part of Cranborne Chase), 127 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and miles of outstanding coastline. Around 15% of the area is either at or near sea level, with the highest point being Dunkery Beacon at 520 metres. It contains the cathedral city of Wells, and the largest towns (by population) include Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Frome, and Burnham-on-Sea/Highbridge.
Some facts and figures about Somerset
- An estimated 562,225 people live in Somerset (June 2019) (NOMIS MYE)
- The population rose by an average of 4,000 per year over the last 5 years (June 2019) (NOMIS MYE)
- 48% of the population live in a rural area (England: 18%) (Census 2011)
- Somerset’s economy is worth £11.6 billion (2018) (ONS)
- The county has 24,510 businesses (2019) (ONS)
You can find many more useful facts and figures covering People and Neighbourhoods, Crime and Community Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Environment and Transport, Economy and Jobs, Education, Skills and Learning, and Housing on the Somerset Intelligence Website.
Somerset is well-connected
With fast trains (1 hour 40 minutes Taunton to London), Somerset is well connected. The M5 motorway runs through the county, while two regional airports, Bristol, and Exeter, are within easy reach.
Sport in Somerset
Somerset boasts a number of excellent options for viewing sports. We have county cricket with its home ground at Taunton, Yeovil Town Football Club (called "The Glovers" as a reference to the history of glove-making in Yeovil during the 18th and 19th centuries), and more than 80 players who have worn the Somerset rugby shirt have gone on to play for their country including, in recent decades, John Horton, Jon Hall, David Trick, Richard Hill, Simon Halliday and Jerry Guscott. There are also racecourses at Taunton and Wincanton.
Things to do in Somerset
Somerset offers a range of outdoor pursuits at all levels - literally! The Mendip hills boast some of the best limestone climbing sites in the country - you can also climb in Cheddar Gorge and, if you want to combine this activity with sea views, Brean Down and the coastal cliffs of Exmoor also offer climbing opportunities. Underground you can visit Gough's Cave, Cox's Cave (with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites) or see the River Axe flowing through the limestone caverns of Wookey Hole. There are also excellent walking and hiking opportunities. With over 40 miles of coast and 95 water courses, as well as many reservoirs and lakes, Somerset is the perfect place for messing about in boats - one of the largest locations for watersports is Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton, Exmoor. There are also numerous houses, gardens, and other attractions to visit - both ancient and modern.
Further information can be found through the links below.
Further useful links
Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership
