Ten minutes: the historic market town of Castle Cary and Wincanton Racecourse.
Ten minutes: Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre, Bruton.
Fifteen minutes: Stourhead House and gardens, Montacute House, and Sherborne, the ancient capital of Dorset.
Twenty minutes: Longleat House and Animal Safari Park, Glastonbury and Wells, Yeovilton Air Museum.
One hour: the Dorset Jurassic Coast
The area is dotted with public footpaths and ambitious walkers can join the Macmillan Way West at Castle Cary.