Somerset

Unitary authority in England

Coordinates:	51.08, -3.04
OS grid ref:	ST 27 31

Somerset unitary authority covers much of the historic county in the south-west of England, from the low-lying Somerset Levels and dramatic Cheddar Gorge to the uplands of the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and parts of Exmoor. The varied landscape includes peatlands, limestone ridges and a patchwork of small towns and farmland, which influences both local life and weather patterns, particularly seasonal flooding on the Levels.

Historic and cultural highlights are plentiful: the small cathedral city of Wells, the mystical heritage of Glastonbury with its abbey and the nearby Pilton field that hosts the famous Glastonbury Festival, and traditional industries such as cider‑making and cheese production in places like Cheddar. Market towns like Frome and Taunton have lively arts scenes and independent shops, giving the area a mix of rural tradition and creative community life.

Economically the area blends agriculture and tourism with manufacturing and energy: there are aerospace and defence employers around Yeovil, and the Hinkley Point C power station near Bridgwater is reshaping the local economy. Socially, much of the authority remains rural with an ageing population, but strong community networks and a focus on flood management and conservation are central to local planning and resilience.

Somerset postcode districts

BA4, BA5, BA6, BA7, BA8, BA9, BA10, BA11, BA16, BA20, BA21, BA22, BS26, BS27, BS28, TA1, TA2, TA3, TA4, TA5, TA6, TA7, TA8, TA9, TA10, TA11, TA12, TA13, TA14, TA15, TA16, TA17, TA18, TA19, TA20, TA21, TA22, TA23, TA24

Most populated places in Somerset

Places in Somerset

Axbridge Built-up area
Bridgwater Built-up area
Bruton Built-up area
Burnham-on-Sea Built-up area
Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Parish
Castle Cary Built-up area
Chard Built-up area
Chard Town Parish
Cheddar Built-up area
Chilcompton Built-up area
Crewkerne Built-up area
Frome Built-up area
Glastonbury Built-up area
Highbridge Built-up area
Ilchester Built-up area
Ilminster Built-up area
Langport Built-up area
Martock Built-up area
Milborne Port Built-up area
Minehead Built-up area
North Petherton Built-up area
Shepton Mallet Built-up area
South Petherton Built-up area
Street Built-up area
Taunton Built-up area
Watchet Built-up area
Wells Built-up area
Williton Built-up area
Wincanton Built-up area
Wiveliscombe Built-up area
Woolavington Built-up area
Yeovil Built-up area