We are now a few weeks into the summer holidays which means, for many families, the purse strings are quite likely to be growing increasingly tight. The pressure to keep everyone entertained can be difficult - not to mention expensive - to keep up with, but there are still things out there to be enjoyed at no cost at all. To give you a helping hand, here are five free things you can do in Somerset this summer.
At nine miles (14.5km) long, with no steep hills and very little traffic, the offers a peaceful and safe cycle route from which to appreciate the beauty of Somerset. Used as a working railway for almost a century up to 1965, the cycle path has been in progress since 1983 when volunteers began the work of converting it.
Perfect for families, the route takes in a wonderfully varied range of sites - from the cider apple orchards around Yatton to the spectacular scenery of Cheddar Gorge. Stephen Penning, a bike mechanic at the Strawberry Line Cycle Project in Yatton, said: "It's great for your health, there's the enjoyment of cycling down the track through the countryside with no traffic to worry about. "It's very good for the mind, very relaxing, and you get to meet people on the track.
It's a great experience, a great day out and it costs very little to do." Ok, so it might not seem like the most exciting suggestion - but that does not mean it is not worth your time. With the kids at home for a whole six weeks the sheer amount of in our homes can suddenly become very obvi.