In the heart of Somerset, Ilminster might not be the first place that comes to mind for a dog-friendly day out or staycation, but it’s full of surprises! Whether you’re after a peaceful walk, a quirky experience, or a welcoming pub to unwind in with your pup, this charming town has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Ilminster with your dog!
Dog Friendly Things to do in Ilminster
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Table of Contents
Things to Do in Ilminster for Families
Ilminster is a perfect spot for a family outing, offering various outdoor activities and exploring fun places.
Ilminster Recreation Ground
Start with a visit to the local park – it’s ideal for kids to run around and enjoy some fresh air. It’s also one of the free things to do in Ilminster. At the Ilminster Recreation Ground – known as The Rec – you’ll find a play park with an accessible swing, a skate park, and plenty of space for a family picnic. There are also football and cricket pitches, tennis courts and public toilets. It’s a beautiful walk with fantastic views.
📍 Ilminster TA19 0EY
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🐾 Dog-friendly
Visit St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church is one of Ilminster’s most striking landmarks, with its impressive 15th-century architecture and soaring tower. This beautiful Grade I-listed church is a must-visit for history lovers, offering stunning stained-glass windows, intricate stonework, and a peaceful atmosphere. The Minster is a key part of Ilminster’s heritage and a lovely spot for quiet reflection.
📍 Court Barton, Ilminster TA19 0DU
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🐾 Dog-friendly in the café
Barrington Court
Barrington Court is a beautifully restored Tudor manor house managed by the National Trust. Unlike many historic houses, Barrington Court is unfurnished, allowing visitors to fully appreciate its stunning Elizabethan architecture and craftsmanship. The real highlight is the garden – designed in the 1920s by Gertrude Jekyll; it features lush flower borders, orchards, and a walled kitchen garden bursting with seasonal produce. The surrounding parkland offers lovely walks, making it a great day for history lovers and nature enthusiasts.
National Trust Members get FREE entry.
📍 Barrington, Ilminster TA19 0NQ
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🐾 Dog-friendly – dogs can’t access the house, formal and walled gardens.
Ferne Animal Sancturay
If your family loves animals, visiting the nearby farm is a must! Ferne Animal Sanctuary is on 72 acres and home to over 300 animals. They often offer hands-on experiences where the kids can feed the animals, explore the fields, and even try out a little farmyard adventure.
📍 Wambrook, Chard TA20 3DH
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🐾 Dog-friendly – they must be kept on a lead
Things to Do in Ilminster for Adults
Looking for a more grown-up adventure? Ilminster has plenty to offer adults who are looking for something a little more relaxing or cultural.
Ilminster Arts Centre
The town is known for its local arts scene. The Meeting House Arts Centre in Ilminster is a vibrant cultural hub, offering various performances, art exhibitions, and workshops. It’s the perfect spot to experience local creativity and enjoy everything from live theatre to community events in a welcoming, intimate setting.
📍 East Street, Ilminster TA19 0AN
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🐾 Dog-friendly café
Perry’s Cider Mill
Perry’s Cider Mill is a staple of the Somerset cider scene. Located just outside Ilminster, this family-run mill has produced traditional cider for generations. As one of the unusual things to do in Ilminster, visitors can tour the cider-making process, sample some of the finest ciders, and even shop for bottles to take home. It’s a great way to experience an authentic taste of Somerset.
📍 The Cider Mills, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster TA19 0NY
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🐾 Dog-friendly – well-behaved dogs are permitted in the café and on the grounds. Dogs can’t enter the farm shop.
Dog Friendly Pubs in Ilminster
After a day of exploring, you’ll want to find a cosy pub to relax and reflect on your adventures. Ilminster has some of the best pubs in the region, each offering a warm welcome, local produce and a great selection of local ales. Whether looking for a hearty meal or a quiet pint, the town’s pubs have something for every taste.
Ilminster and its surrounding villages boast a fantastic selection of dog-friendly pubs. From the historic The Bell on Broadway to the refined Barrington Boar, these pubs offer great drinks, delicious meals, and a relaxed atmosphere where dogs are treated like part of the family. So, grab a pint, settle in, and enjoy the best dog-friendly pubs Ilminster offers!
Things to Do Near Ilminster Somerset
If you’ve exhausted everything Ilminster itself has to offer, you’re in luck! There are plenty of exciting things to do in the surrounding areas of Somerset. Just a short drive away!
Stoke-sub-Hamdon Priory
This medieval gem, dating back to the 14th century, was once a priest’s residence and is now cared for by English Heritage. The surviving buildings include a grand hall with beautiful stone carvings and an impressive timber roof. Despite its name, it was never a traditional monastic priory but housed clergymen serving the local church.
If you’re fascinated by medieval history and architecture, it’s worth a visit. Plus, the village of Stoke-sub-Hamdon itself is charming, with traditional hamstone cottages and lovely countryside walks.
📍 North St, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, TA14 6QP
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🐾 Dog-friendly, with assistance dogs only being welcomed inside.
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Treasurer’s House, Martock
This little-known treasure in Martock is a rare surviving example of a 13th-century house. It was originally built for the treasurer of Wells Cathedral and has been beautifully preserved. Inside, you’ll find period furnishings and a fascinating glimpse into medieval domestic life.
The architecture alone at Treasurer’s House is worth admiring, with its grand stone windows and atmospheric rooms. The house isn’t as widely visited as some of the grander National Trust properties, making it a peaceful place to explore.
📍 Church Street, Martock TA12 6JL
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🐾 Dog-friendly, with assistance dogs only being welcomed inside.
Tintinhull Garden
If you love beautifully designed gardens, Tintinhull is a must-visit. This intimate National Trust garden surrounds a charming 17th-century house and is a wonderful example of Arts and Crafts garden design. Its formal layout, pretty water features, and secluded corners make it a lovely place to escape for a quiet afternoon.
The small manor house is not always open to the public, but the garden itself is the real attraction. It’s a great spot for keen gardeners looking for inspiration or anyone who enjoys a peaceful outdoor setting.
National Trust Members get FREE entry.
📍 Farm Street, Yeovil BA22 8PZ
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🐾 Dog-friendly – can go in most gardens. Unable to access the Kitchen Garden and Arboretum.
Montacute House
Montacute House is one of England’s grandest Elizabethan houses, a true architectural masterpiece. Built in the late 16th century from the honey-coloured hamstone that characterises Somerset’s historic buildings, it has a striking façade and beautifully preserved interiors.
The highlight is the Long Gallery, the longest of its kind in England, which now houses a collection of Tudor and Elizabethan portraits from the National Portrait Gallery. The gardens are just as impressive, with formal lawns, walled gardens, and scenic parkland. Montacute House is a must-see if you enjoy history, art, and architecture.
National Trust Members get FREE entry.
📍 Montacute TA15 6XP
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🐾 Dog-friendly in the garden, parkland and courtyard outside the café.
Lytes Cary Manor
This romantic medieval manor house offers a glimpse into the past with its cosy, lived-in feel. The interiors of Lytes Cary Manor are filled with period furniture, tapestries, and historical artefacts. At the same time, the gardens are a particular highlight. Designed in a series of “rooms,” they include a topiary, vibrant flower beds, and a tranquil orchard.
The surrounding countryside is perfect for a scenic walk, and there’s a café on-site for a relaxing cup of tea. It’s a lovely, lesser-known National Trust property ideal for a peaceful day out.
National Trust Members get FREE entry.
📍 Charlton Mackrell, Somerton TA11 7HU
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🐾 Dog-friendly in most garden areas and three walks. Can’t go inside the chapel, house and tearoom.
Hestercombe House and Gardens
Hestercombe House and Gardens, located near Taunton, offers a delightful experience for dog owners. Spanning 50 acres, the estate features a unique combination of Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian gardens, providing a variety of landscapes to explore. With a museum, art exhibitions and a second-hand bookstore, there’s lots to explore.
📍 Hestercombe, Taunton TA2 8LG
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🐾 Dogs are warmly welcomed throughout the gardens and in the café, restaurant, and shop.
BookBeat – Soundtrack Your Dog Walks
If you love turning a simple dog walk into a mini adventure, BookBeat is the perfect companion. This audiobook app gives you access to over a million stories – from gripping thrillers to feel-good novels – all ready to stream straight to your phone.
Even better, there’s a 30-day free trial, so you can give it a proper go with no pressure. And if BookBeat isn’t the right fit for you? No problem at all – you can cancel your subscription whenever you like, making it a totally stress-free way to soundtrack your dog walks.
Muchelney Abbey
Found in the Somerset Levels, Muchelney Abbey is a stunning medieval ruin with a rich and turbulent history. Originally founded in the 7th century, it grew into a powerful Benedictine monastery before being dissolved by Henry VIII in the 16th century. Today, visitors can explore the impressive remains, including the cloister, refectory, and abbot’s house, which still has rare medieval wall paintings and an ornate fireplace.
The site also offers lovely views over the surrounding countryside, making it a peaceful spot to soak up history. Run by English Heritage, the abbey has a small museum with artefacts and displays about monastic life.
📍 Law Lane, Muchelney, Langport TA10 0DQ
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🐾 Dog-friendly in the outdoor areas
An English Heritage Membership is a game-changer. As a member, I get free entry to incredible sites all over the UK, including dog-friendly gems! It’s saved me a fortune, especially when exploring Cornwall and Devon.
Now that I’m in my second year of membership, I get free access to CADW sites in Wales, too! Plus, there are discounts on stays, food, and events.
Membership Prices (2025):
- Individual (18+) – £82 a year (£6.83 per month)
- Senior (65+) – £69 a year (£5.75 per month)
- Joint (2 adults) – £144 a year (£12 per month)
- Family – Same as individual/joint, and kids go free!
- Occasionally, there are special offers on joining.
English Heritage Offer
English Heritage Deals: Get 20% off memberships purchased by direct debit by using the promo code PV20OFF at the checkout. It is valid until 31 December 2025. Making a single membership £57.60 per year and a couple’s membership £100.20. Get yours here.
What to do in Ilminster
Ilminster might be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to charm and variety. Whether you’re seeking family fun, quirky experiences, or a relaxing afternoon at a pub, there’s always something new to discover. So, next time you’re wondering about things to do in Ilminster, you’ll know exactly where to start!
Places to Stay in Ilminster
If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book as soon as possible in advance. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array of dog friendly accommodation for all budgets.
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays offers a selection of holiday cottages, campsites and bunkhouses set in spectacular locations. Sleeping 2 – 12 guests, they have everything you need for a night away, from kitchen facilities to cosy gardens to relax in during warmer weather.
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