Located in the south-west of England, Somerset was 'founded' in approximately 1015 AD and was then called Sumaersaeton. Whilst the historic and ceremonial county of Somerset covered more than a million acres, its modern administrative successor is smaller, as some areas in the north have now become unitary authorities.
The ceremonial county has a varied landscape from Exmoor in the west across the Quantock Hills to the Mendip Hills in the east. It has a rugged coast-line along the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary.
Somerset is home to the Roman city of Bath with its elegant Georgian architecture, Cheddar with its gorge, and Weston-super-Mare, holiday resort to many Midlands families.