Somerset is not a stranger to recognition when it comes to the scenic countryside and historic cities.

Here are 5 places in Somerset that this year, were named the best in the UK:

1. Wells

Wells is a picturesque city, which happens to be the smallest in the UK.

In November, Which? chose Wells as their number one city for Christmas shopping this year.

More than 3, 000 Which? members were asked to rate their experience shopping in more than 50 UK cities.

Wells, with its small population, scored 88% on the visitor score and four stars out of five for shopping. Visitors especially like the lack of crowds, receiving five stars for this category.

The city was also rated fourth best destination in the country for stargazing.

2. Berrow Beach

This quiet beach is a hidden gem of Somerset, and recently was revealed to be Great Britain's best 'off the beaten track' location.

The survey was done by a partnership of Ordnance Surveys and Jeep, with 2000 people taking part.

The beach is described as "A huge six-mile stretch of sand, ideal for long water-sidewalks throughout the year.”

Wimbleball Lake was the only other Somerset site which made the top ten, coming in at ninth place.

3. Cheddar Gorge

With its breathtaking cliffs and iconic views, Cheddar Gorge was bound to be on this list. In November, Cheddar Gorge was named amongst the UK's best wintery walks.

Research conducted by Verdant Leisure looked at social media popularity, average rainfall and TripAdvisor ratings.

With over 12.5 million TikTok hashtags and a 4.5 TripAdvisor score, Cheddar placed as the second-best wintery walk in the UK.

With its curious caves, staggering hills and captivating sights, Cheddar Gorge certainly makes for great winter viewing.

4. St. Audrie’s Bay

Other than locally, St Audrie’s Bay is widely unknown, for this reason the bay was ranked among the best secret UK beaches.

The list compiled by the Telegraph states: "St Audrie’s Bay, at the foot of the Quantock Hills, is a wide bay of sand, shingle, pebbles, and rocks. The sea is not the clearest but there are two waterfalls at the edge of the beach, which give it a natural beauty."

5. Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park is known for its natural beauty, the woodland, cliffs and waterfalls create a scenic, beautiful environment. The park placed within the best Wild Camping Spots in the UK.

Exmoor was placed third on the list by Camino Adventures, saying “places like Exmoor, offer a delightful blend of natural serenity, abundant wildlife, and enchanting folklore. Its verdant rolling hills, sprinkled with wild ponies and punctuated by majestic views of the sea, provide an unparalleled outdoor experience.”