Covid UK: Somerset couple married for 56 years die seven hours apart

A 92-year-old husband has died from Covid just one day after his wife of 67 years also passed away from the virus.  Audrey, 88, and Jim Martin were both admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital in January. Mrs Martin died on January 26 and Mr Martin died the following day. Their deaths follow the … Read more

Wife, 65, charged with murder after man, 78, stabbed to death at house in Somerset village 

Retired chartered accountant, 65, is charged with murdering her 78-year-old husband who was found stabbed to death at the couple’s £300,000 home in Somerset village – as locals say they were the ‘perfect neighbours’ Police officers were called to Berrow on Somerset coast at 9.15pm on Saturday David Jackson, 78, found severely injured and pronounced … Read more

Woman is arrested as police launch murder probe after death of man in Somerset village

Woman is arrested as police launch murder probe after death of man in Somerset village Police officers were called to Berrow on Somerset coast at 9.15pm on Saturday Man had been seriously injured and was pronounced dead at the scene A woman has been arrested in connection with death and remains in custody By William … Read more

Moment police break up ‘cider tasting’ event at remote Somerset farm

Police have busted a Covid-rule breaking ‘cider tasting’ gathering on a remote farm where guests were not social distancing. Customers were being served cider by staff and they were congregated around tables and not wearing face masks. Body-worn footage from January 30 shows one officer greet the boozing rule-breakers at Lands End Farm near Wedmore, Somerset. … Read more

Great British boltholes: A review of No 1 Bruton hotel, Somerset

A chef who got a Michelin star at 24 and a ‘gorgeous’ interior: Inside the hip new place to stay in the Somerset town they call ‘the Notting Hill of the West’ No 1 Bruton is housed in a Grade II listed building in Bruton, which has boho shops and art galleries It has an … Read more

Somerset locals fight to save Coldplay’s favourite pub

Somerset locals fight to save Coldplay’s favourite pub (and the chance to keep Kylie Minogue as their quiz queen!) Coldplay entertained regulars at the Ring O’Bells in Compton Martin, Somerset  Singer and Actress Kylie Minogue hosted the quiz night at the Somerset pub  Music industry mogul turned landlord Miles Leonard said the brewery that owns … Read more

A review of Coombe Lodge, Somerset

Luxury, peace… and all that jazz: Coombe Lodge in Somerset is a magnificent mansion with gleaming chandeliers, a grand piano and spacious suites Coombe Lodge is nestled neatly amid the Mendip Hills with views down to Blagdon Lake, Somerset    There are 12 grand rooms, plus a music room, billiards room and library – staff are ‘private-house-attentive’ … Read more

The best cider farms to visit this autumn in Somerset, Devon, Gloucestershire and North Yorkshire

The harvest is now in and the fruity golden glow of cider is inextricably linked to the glorious season that is a British autumn. There’s nothing more relaxing than walks in orchards and tastings on farms surrounded by the wonderful smell of fresh apples. And cider is no longer a rough and ready drink – … Read more

Gun-toting aristocrat, 73, puts 13-bed 2,000 acre Somerset mansion for rent for £20,000 a month

An eccentric gun-toting aristocrat has put his 13-bedroom 2,000 acre Somerset country home up for rent for £20,000 a month.  Sir Benjamin Slade, 74, has put 600-year-old Maunsel House, where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote part of The Canterbury Tales, up for rent – after putting it on the market last April for £2.2million and finding no … Read more

UK staycations: The little-known gems that are perfect for a brilliant break, from Somerset to Wales

The South West, the Cotswolds and many staycation hotspots became fully booked this summer, with hardly a B&B room left unoccupied.  Our writers dived off the UK’s tourist trail to visit places that might, at first, not sound much to boast about, but turned out to be nothing short of a revelation…  WELSH WONDER WHERE KATE … Read more