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Sustainable Summer Road Trip – Somerset
This summer, Mercedes-Benz South West is taking you on a tour of our beautiful corner of the country as part of our Sustainable Summer Road Trip. Using a selection of our electric and hybrid vehicles, we are going to show you some of our favourite things to see and do across the South West highlighting how an EQ vehicle can fit in with your lifestyle. We start the first leg of our road trip in the home of cheddar cheese, Glastonbury Festival and county cricket – Somerset. Joining us for the day was Somerset County Cricket Club Captain and Mercedes-Benz South West Ambassador, Tom Abell. Born and bred in the county, Tom was the perfect person to guide us around all whilst behind the wheel of our first electric vehicle, the Mercedes EQC. Feeling Hungry? Being a Taunton local, Tom knew the perfect spot for us to start the day right with a hearty breakfast at Silver’s Pantry. A short journey from the Mercedes-Benz of Taunton dealership, Silver’s Pantry offers a vast selection of breakfast dishes that will hit the spot and start your day off well! If you’re fancying eggs with avocado, a stack of pancakes or simply a traditional English breakfast, Silver’s Pantry was the ideal place to kick start our road trip. Other eateries we would recommend around Somerset include Pip’s Railway Carriage in Lopenhead, a quirky café made up of refurbished vintage train carriages plus a large outdoor eating area showcasing their focus on ethical and sustainable ingredients. If a stone fired pizza is right up your street, The Firehouse Somerset offer a huge selection with many toppings to choose from. A traditional village pub with a twist, The Firehouse Somerset in Curry Rivel use some of the finest locally sourced ingredients to make their dishes. How to spend the day? We headed to Cooper Associates County Ground, the home of Somerset County Cricket Club since 1882. On match day (when restrictions allow), the club would be a hive of excited fans looking forward to spending time with friends and family and watching their team play. On non-match days, the venue can be hired for conferences and events. Being joined by the County Captain, we were lucky enough to be given a tour of the ground and take in the place Tom likes to call his office. There is also an electric vehicle charging hub a short drive away at the local supermarket should you want to plug and go before a match. The next stop in our Mercedes EQC was a trip to the Quantock Hills; a space deemed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. Around nine miles north of Taunton, we parked up at Lydeard Hill to take on the 3.5km loop trail and take in the sea of green views you would expect to find when travelling through Somerset and the South West. There is plenty to do around the county so whatever activity you’re feeling, you’ll easily find a way to fill the day. You may just want a relaxing day out at Vivary Park or you might prefer to head to Rumwell Farm Shop to pick up local produce. If you want to spend the day shopping, Bath Place Traders is lined with mostly independently owned businesses or head to Street for a host of outlet stores. Spending the night? If you need another day or two to take in all that Somerset has to offer, there are plenty of options for overnight stays. We’ve picked a few in the Taunton area that also have the added benefit of electric vehicle charging on site (charging point types vary). The Castle Hotel – Set within Taunton Castle, The Castle Hotel is one of the finest, most historic hotels in the county. A great spot if you’re looking for a night of luxury in the centre of town. Farthings Hotel – A home from home, Farthings Hotel offers a quiet place to relax and unwind after a long day of taking in the local surroundings. Huntstile Organic Farm - If you’re looking for a quaint place in the country, nestled in the Quantocks you’ll find Huntstile Organic Farm. They offer bed and breakfast, self-catering and glamping options.