What’s On in Somerset: September 2026
If I were to sum up Somerset in September, it’d be this: mist sitting low over the Levels, orchards suddenly heavy with red bauble-like fruit, a smidge of a chill in the air. Summer hasn’t quite let go, not yet, but you can feel autumn queuing up to take over.
It’s also peak carnival season (the light-up processions that Somerset does better than almost anywhere else in the country), the cider apple harvest starts to get under way, and the calendar is stuffed with heritage open days and produce-focused festivals. If you’re after the full run of the county’s best bits year-round, my guide to the best things to do in Somerset is the place to start.
If you’re looking for things to do in September in Somerset, read on!
Harvest, Food & Cider Highlights
4 September – Sheppy’s Harvest Hoedown | Sheppy’s Cider, Bradford-on-Tone
A barn dance with live music from Fresh Aire from 8pm, and a complimentary beef burger (vegan and gluten-free options available) thrown in with your ticket. Doors and bar from 6:30pm, music runs to 11pm, last orders 10:45pm.
This one’s adults only, so book the babysitter. Onsite parking needs a ticket (bought alongside your entry ticket).
7pm-11:15pm. Tickets via sheppyscider.com.
12, 19, & 26 September – Cider Bus Saturday | Burrow Hill
The famous turquoise bus serving glasses of Burrow Hill’s own straight from the source, apples on the trees and a food van usually in attendance. Grab a bite and a pint and head into the orchards for the perfect way to while away a Somerset Saturday afternoon.
Check somersetciderbrandy.com for the day’s food van and opening hours.
13 September – Pizza in the Orchard | Perry’s Cider, Dowlish Wake
Wood-fired pizza from Ethic Street Pizza (12pm-4.30pm), eaten among the trees at one of South Somerset’s oldest working cider farms, with a full range of Perry’s ciders to go alongside.
Pre-ordering is strongly advised (click here for details). Perry’s runs pizza nights on a WhatsApp pre-order system, so message ahead rather than turning up and hoping. The farm shop is worth a browse before you go.
18 September – Super Blue Moon & Basement 17 Tacos | North Down Cider Farm
Family-friendly evenings at North Down Cider Farm in Haselbury Plucknett with food and live music:
- 11 September: Live Music From Ska Kives, Food From Spice & Rice
- 12 September: Food From Orchard Spuds, Live Music From Burden Of Truth
- 18 September: Basement 17 Tacos and live music from Super Blue Moon.
- 19 September: Live Music From Oconee Bell, Food From Hogg Boss
- 25 September: Live Music From Colbalt Blue, Food From The Hogg Boss
20 September – The Great Polden Hills’ Mangelwurzel Day, Bridgwater
The Great Polden Hills’ Mangelwurzel Day returns to Edington Village Hall on 20 September, 11am-4pm, with giant veg competitions, live music, Morris dancing, fancy dress, crafts, face painting, food and the wonderfully bonkers Mangelwurzel Hurling Contest. A gloriously eccentric family day out celebrating Somerset’s strangest vegetable!
Special guests, Charles Dowding (NoDig) and Lucy Hutchings (SheGrowsVeg) will be casting their expert eyes over the entries as judges before the winners are announced from 3pm.
Wraxall Vineyard, Wraxall Road, Wraxall, BA4 6RQ
Two days of food and drink among the lovely Wraxall vines. Dishes are cooked over fire and served at long sharing tables, so there’s no need to book a table (BBQ noon-3pm), while The Nook is open all day for cocktails or a browse of the Rose & Lyons pop-up shop. There’s live music throughout, DJ Vinyl Groove on the decks from 1-4pm, and vineyard tours and tastings running subject to availability.
Adults are £5pp, which includes a welcome drink, and children go free. Kids are well looked after too, with face painting (2-4pm) and a vineyard trail running 11am-4pm both days.
Somerset Carnivals & Community Traditions
Somerset carnival season really is a spectacle unlike anything else in the country: elaborate, illuminated floats, illuminated people, decorated tractors, marching bands, music and lights parade through the towns and villages, with thousands turning out to line the route. Months of volunteer work behind every one.
- 5 September – Porlock Carnival: 40th Anniversary, 6pm
- 12 September: South Petherton Carnival, 7.30pm
- 26 September – Frome Carnival, 7pm
- 26 September – Axbridge Blackberry Carnival, 1-2.45pm
30 September -3 October: Bridgwater Fair & West Street Market
Bridgwater’s charter fair (St Matthew’s Fair) brings four days of fairground thrills and bustling markets to the town. One of the South West’s biggest fairs, this 800-year-old tradition attracts around 40,000 visitors, with rides, games, food, shopping and market stalls filling St Matthews Field and West Street.
Family Days Out & Steam Rallies
4-6 September – Mendip Mini Fest: Final Family Festival Weekend
The last of this year’s family-friendly mini festivals at Mendip Basecamp, with a line-up built around live music, activities and the campsite’s own laid-back, kid-friendly atmosphere on the edge of the Mendip Hills.
6 September – Vintage & Classic Car Meet | North Down Orchard
A relaxed gathering of vintage and classic cars, the sort of low-key motoring meet where owners are usually only too pleased to talk you through their pride and joy over a pint of cider.
6 September – John Haynes Classic | Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford
One of the South West’s motoring showpieces: hundreds of classic and performance cars filling the grounds of Britain’s largest privately-owned car collection, with a live stage and the full run of the museum’s own galleries included in your ticket.
Book online in advance; Adult tickets are £20, children (4-15) £9, under 4s free. 10am-4pm. Tickets via johnhaynesclassic.co.uk.
2-12 September – Steam & Heritage Diesel Days | East Somerset Railway, Shepton Mallet
Steam-hauled running days on 2, 5, 6, 9 and 12 September, with heritage diesel days slotted in on 3 and 10 September. Cranmore’s a beautifully kept little station and the short heritage line through the Mendip countryside is a lovely, unhurried way to spend a couple of hours.
Check East Somerset Railway’s website for that day’s specific timetable before you set off.
12-13 September – Pawsome Pooch | Clarks Village, Street
A whole weekend given over to dogs at Pawsome Pooch, Clarks Village: professional pet photoshoots, grooming at the Pooch Pampering Studio, an agility course, trick displays, a fashion-inspired dogwalk, live illustrations from artist Alan Snow, and a competition to crown the next Canine Executive Officer with prizes worth up to £500. Proceeds support Guide Dogs for the Blind.
12-13 September – Motorfest Somerset (Monster Truck Motorfest) | Yeovil Showground
Despite the name, this isn’t a classic car show, it’s the UK’s touring Monster Truck Motorfest, and it’s exactly as loud as that sounds in the best possible way. Expect monster trucks, stunt displays and a proper family motorsport atmosphere across the weekend.
Ear defenders for younger children are a good idea; this is a big, noisy show. Runs Saturday from 10am and Sunday through to 7:30pm.
13 September – Ham Hill Dog Show
Got a four-legged superstar at home? Head to Ham Hill Meadows on Sunday 13 September from 10.30am for the Ham Hill Fun Dog Show. 10 fun classes, a Best in Show, the Ham Hill Challenge, local food and drink, a tombola and plenty of waggy-tailed fun.
Fancy a walk before or after the show? Treat your pooch to this Ham Hill circular walk via St Michael’s Hill, taking in big views, woodland and Somerset countryside.
13 September – Steam Train Day: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Theme | Yeovil Railway Centre
Yeovil Railway Centre’s compact but characterful steam locomotive ‘Pectin’ takes on a theme day this time, with a sci-fi and fantasy twist running alongside the usual short heritage rides, model railway and exhibits.
No pre-booking needed, just turn up and pay at the gate, and the coach is wheelchair-accessible via ramp for standard chairs.
20 September – Shepton Mallet Brick Festival
For LEGO® fans of every age: enormous brick builds, trading stalls, building zones and displays from some of the UK’s best-known brick artists, all under one roof at the Bath & West Showground. 10am-4pm.
25-27 September – Autumn Steam Weekend | West Somerset Railway
England’s longest heritage railway marks 50 years in preservation with a guest-locomotive line-up: LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054, GWR Large Prairie No. 4110, LMS Ivatt “Mickey Mouse Tank” No. 41313, and three GWR 78XX Manor-class engines, alongside the WSR’s own fleet, running an intensive weekend timetable the full 20 miles from the Quantock foothills to the Bristol Channel coast.
Roadworks on the A358 near Taunton are adding extra journey time through October, so build in more than you’d usually think for the drive to Bishops Lydeard. Wristbands are collected at Bishops Lydeard or Minehead only, and advance online sales close at 10am the day before you travel.
Tickets from 10am each day. Adult single-day rover from £43.50 advance / £49 on the day; child £22 advance / £24.50 on the day. Multi-day rovers available. See West Somerset Railway website to book tickets.
26-27 September – Somerset’s Festival of Transport, West Woodlands Showground, Frome, BA11 5ES
Somerset’s Festival of Transport: A field full of vintage and classic vehicles, tractors and transport of every stripe, in one of the more low-key but well-loved motoring shows on the county calendar.
Heritage, Arts & Culture
11-20 September – Somerset Heritage Open Days
Explore Somerset’s fascinating past during Heritage Open Days. From historic houses and medieval abbeys to working watermills, churches and heritage trails, there are plenty of opportunities to discover places and stories that aren’t always open to the public. Many events offer free entry. Full programme at heritageopendays.org.uk.
Heritage Open Days 2026: Somerset Events
- Everyday Histories at Somerset Heritage Centre, 11 September 2026, Norton Fitzwarren
Explore Somerset’s archives and discover fascinating stories about ordinary people and everyday life. - Axbridge and District through the 50s and 60s, 11-20 September
Explore photographs and exhibits revealing everyday life in the communities around the Mendips and Somerset Levels. - Bridgwater Historical Tapestry Display, 12 September 2026
See beautifully embroidered panels telling the story of Bridgwater through key people and events. - Dawe’s Twineworks, West Coker, 12-13 September
Visit the UK’s only surviving Victorian twineworks, and discover Somerset’s historic flax, sailcloth and twine industries. - Free Entry to Barrington Court, 14-18 September
Explore the historic house, gardens, orchards, farm buildings and avenues. - Bridgwater Arts Centre Tours, 15-19 September
Take an exclusive tour of the Grade I listed Georgian building and learn about England’s first Arts Centre. - Dunster Castle and Watermill, 16 September 2026
Enjoy free entry to the castle, gardens and working watermill. - Free Entry Day at Coleridge Cottage, 16 September 2026, Nether Stowey
Explore the historic home of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. - Downside Abbey Church and Monastery Gardens, 17 September 2026, Stratton-on-the-Fosse
Free guided tours of the abbey church and gardens, plus an exhibition and organ recital. - Bridgwater History & District Civic Society Talk, 18 September 2026
Discover the story of class conflict and social change in Bridgwater during 1924-1927. - Chard Guildhall, 18 September 2026
Take a guided tour of this Grade II* listed building and see historic artefacts from Chard Museum. - Carhampton Church Tower, 19 September 2026
Climb the church tower’s spiral staircase to see the bells and enjoy extensive views across the area. - City of Wells Almshouses, 19 September 2026
Explore medieval almshouses, gardens, chapel and original Guild Hall, with live music during the day. - Craftsmen & Cloisters: Muchelney Abbey, 19 September 2026
Explore Muchelney Abbey and meet a medieval stonemason demonstrating traditional skills. Free entry. - Evercreech Material Recycling Facility Tour, 19 September 2026
Go behind the scenes at Somerset’s recycling facility and discover what happens to your household recycling. Booking required. - Abbey House Glastonbury Open Day, 19-20 September
Go inside this unique historic property and discover the people who lived and worked there. Pre-booking preferred. - Goathurst Heritage Trail, 19-20 September 2026
Explore Halswell House, gardens, parkland, woodland, ponds and historic follies while following the village heritage trail. - Goathurst Village Heritage Trail: Temple of Pan, 19-20 September 2026
Discover the Temple of Pan, an 18th-century ornamental folly forming part of the historic Halswell Park landscape. - Brean Down Guided Tour, 20 September 2026
Join a free guided walk exploring more than 10,000 years of history at Brean Down. - Hardington St Mary’s, 20 September 2026, Hardington Bampfylde, near Frome
Discover this hidden historic church.
12 September – Night at the Abbey | Glastonbury Abbey
An outdoor concert among the ruins of the 12th-century Glastonbury abbey, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlining a full evening lineup. There’s something wonderfully brilliant about pop music against a backdrop this ancient, and the atmosphere as the light fades over the ruins is hard to beat.
Check the website for gate times and the full lineup.
12 September – History Alive: Viking Re-enactment Day | The Bishop’s Palace, Wells
Part of the Palace’s History Alive series, this one brings a full Viking encampment to the medieval grounds: living history demonstrations and combat displays. 9.30am-5.30pm.
19 September – 4 October, Somerset Art Weeks Festival (90+ locations)
The county’s biggest open-studios and exhibitions festival, running across more than 90 venues this year under the theme ‘Cultural Connectionsi. Expect everything from studio open days and pop-up exhibitions to workshops and talks, in village halls, converted barns and proper galleries.
Full venue list at somersetartworks.org.uk.
19 September – Mump Fest | The Mump Market Garden, Burrowbridge
A community festival at the Levels farm right beneath Burrow Mump, running from 11am right through to 11pm. Expect live music, circus cabaret and comedy from the likes of Moulin Bouge Circus Cabaret, Animal Krackers, King Dinosaur and Sam Ballentine & The Whiskies, alongside food, bars, crafts, stalls, farm tours and a dedicated kids area.
Entry is pay what you think, with a suggested donation of £20, but tickets are limited so it’s worth reserving yours in advance rather than turning up on spec. £10 per car. 11am-11pm. Reserve tickets here.
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