Before moving here, I have to admit that my knowledge of the West Country went as far as knowing it existed. Growing up in leafy Sussex, the beaches of Brighton and lush Ashdown Forest were my home.
I didn't need to know all the ins and outs of West Country life - including the local lingo - until I came to the University of Bristol. The opportunity to get to know new people and experience life in another part of the country, one I knew little about, was thrilling.
I would be lying if I didn't admit to being a little nervous - would I be ok without the leafy Sussex landscape around me? Little did I imagine that I would fall in love with this part of the world so much that, after doing a masters in Cardiff, I would end up moving back here as a journalist.
Reporting on the county of Somerset has bought a whole load more understanding to the nuances of rural Somerset life, not to mention the hustle and bustle of Bath which has become my reporting 'patch'. Here are just nine of the things I have learned.
1) The accent
The West Country accent, if you aren't familiar with it, can take a second to tune into. A top tip I was given once is if after three attempts you still don't have a clue what they said then it's best to smile and laugh and hope that if it was important you'll figure it out.
It's also a bad idea to try and mimic the accent but you may get away with it if it was a Hot Fuzz joke.
2) The sayings
I also wish I'd known about some of the West Country sayings which can cause a bit of a head scratch if you aren't in the know. I recall one occasion where an interviewee said "that's the badger" in response to something I'd said.
It means "that is exactly what I meant" so at least they thought we were on the same page. You can read about some other weird and wonderful sayings here.
3) The smell
Bear with me - but deep Somerset has a distinctive earthy smell and it is different from the smell of Sussex's many forests.
Thankfully coming from a rural setting the pong of cow’s manure wasn't anything new but if you aren't from rural life prepare to suddenly need to roll up your car windows in the summer months.
4) The need to be a good driver
Parts of Somerset are not easily accessible by train and if you're meeting someone in a far-flung field for a story, you're going to need a car.
Coming from Sussex, I'd be spoiled by the train line into Brighton and London - fast and reliable. Trains in the West Country aren't quite so predictable but you're sure to have a friendly chat with a passenger as you wait at Taunton station for a random half an hour.
"Have we broken down?" is a question I've been asked on several trains around here.
One time a cow got on the line and delayed the train - yes really. It's also a good idea to have an actual map in your car - the 3G signal is terrible.
Not to mention sometimes road signs can randomly pop up in Welsh, just to make things more confusing.
5) Don't try to go shopping on a Sunday
Spending a few years in Bristol, I'd gotten used to most places being open all the time. But if you're living it up in Huish Champflower for example, you need to know the local larder isn't going to open up just for you on Sunday when you realise you've forgotten the potatoes to your roast.
The key to surviving Somerset life? Be prepared and keep a well-stocked fridge at all times.
6) How friendly everyone is
Perhaps I have a biased perspective of this as I talk to many people for my job but on the whole, Somerset is full of charmers. Part of my job requires knocking on doors and asking people about local issues and more often than not I'm invited in for a cuppa as people gladly tell me all I need to know.
People do go the extra mile to help you out if you admit you're lost (don't trust the 3G on your phone for Google Maps!) and make you feel better by saying 'everyone gets lost around here'.
What's more, if you are traveling on the bus then people are sure to thank the driver, probably by name as he grew up in the village and is their nephew's best friend.
7) That cider is basically the national drink down here
My teenage years in Sussex left me wholly unprepared for this one. I can still recall my visit to Bristol's Coronations Tap where there is a challenge to drink ten pints of very strong cider.
To my shame, I think I got about three in before I had to be escorted home. Thankfully, I've since improved my game, but a word to the wise, don't question people from Somerset about why they don't want to drink anything else - cider is basically in their blood.
8) That nightlife is a myth
I'm partial to a fun night out like all of us are, but if you're moving to rural Somerset, give up your dreams of boogying the night away.
While some of the bigger towns will see you covered, you will be lucky if the village pub doesn't close at 10pm.
9) That the police really do catch swans
Avon and Somerset Police work incredibly hard fighting crime and making the streets safer. Having worked closely with them on many a story I know how dedicated they are.
But something that is truly amazing is that on occasion they do have to catch swans - just like the Hot Fuzz film portrays.
This article was first published in December 2022 and was republished in December 2024.
