Somerset guide: where to eat and sleep
Somerset is undoubtedly one of my favourite parts of the UK and somewhere I find myself consistently returning to. From major cities such as historic Bath and edgy Bristol, to the smaller villages of Bruton and Frome that continually draw a crowd and boast a myriad of chic pads and modern eateries, the county is home to some of the country's most exciting hotels and restaurants. Somerset makes the perfect British road trip destination, especially if you're in search of a culinary awakening and cultural stimulation: all hail the birthplace of cheddar cheese and Jane Austen.
To stay:
My favourite hotel in the entirety of the UK, The Newt is a true showcase of Somerset’s finest. Boasting immaculately kept gardens (full of interactive elements such as the History of Gardening and Beezantium), extensive apple orchards that include every variety of apple found in England, and even a restored Roman villa, you can be assured that you’re in for a treat before you’ve even stepped inside the main house. Bedrooms are spread across the Hadspen House and more rustic Farmyard: all are carefully designed with luxurious furnishings, muted colour palettes, and fully stocked minibars, with deep bathtubs found in every bathroom. When you’re not out exploring the grounds, while away your time in the soothing spa (featuring the best indoor-outdoor pool in the country) and feast at the hotel’s three different restaurants.
Guest House Hotels, No. 15 Bath
My favourite hotel in Bath, No. 15 is an elegantly converted townhouse by Guest House Hotels, injecting a welcome dose of chic to the heart of the historic city. Home to 36 stylishly decorated bedrooms overlooking famous Pulteney Street, you’ll find luxurious furnishings with artful touches: expect 100 Acres toiletries and record players in every room, along with a 24/7 pantry, stocked with homemade treats, and available for guests to raid all day every day. Downstairs you’ll find a vinyl library to peruse, along with the bar and restaurant and even a soothing mini-spa where guests can be pampered with a range of restorative treatments.
Bruton’s resident design hotel, Number One is an elegant Georgian townhouse situated right on the high street, and filled with plenty of colour and quirk. Offering twelve bedrooms across the townhouse, adjoining cottages and restored forge, each room here is individually designed in delightfully pastel colour palettes and patterned textures: expect showers tiled in stripes, vintage rugs and reclaimed pieces of furniture, while Westcombe cheddar and fresh apple juice welcome guests upon arrival in every bedroom.
Only 30 minutes’ from Bath, Soho House’s longest standing property is a historic, honey-coloured manor situated at the end of a long, tree-lined drive, and nestled within 18 acres of English countryside - alongside tennis courts, a Cowshed spa (boasting indoor and outdoor pools), walled gardens to explore, and a cinema with daily screenings. Expect elegant and cosy furnishings in all of the bedrooms spread across the estate, each featuring your usual Soho House luxuries: Cowshed bath products in the bathrooms, homemade cookies to welcome you, and fluffy bathrobes. My favourite thing about staying here? The daily afternoon tea ritual, served every day at 3pm, and complimentary for all hotel guests, who are invited to graze on an impressive array of delicious cakes, scones, and treats.
My favourite Pig property of the wildly successful hotel brand, this sandstone manor features plenty of shabby chic bedrooms decked out with antique furnishings and comforting touches. The all day restaurant is a hive of activity, and where you’ll find delicious, flavourful dishes utilising fresh produce from the kitchen gardens, or ingredients sourced locally from within a 25 mile radius. In the summer, guests sprawl on loungers across the lawn, and nibble on flatbreads baked fresh in the outdoor pizza oven - in signature Pig style, wake up the next morning to a breakfast table groaning with fresh cheeses, homemade pastries, and fresh fruit.
To eat:
At The Chapel, Bruton
This beautifully restored chapel, converted into a minimally designed and two-storied restaurant, is a mainstay in Bruton, offering all-day dining to hungry locals within an airy, light-filled space. You’ll find delicious things served at all times of day, from homemade breakfast goods baked fresh in the quaint bakery (takeaway is also available if you want to pop in for a morning croissant) to wood fired pizzas and Sunday roasts. There are also eight beautifully minimal bedrooms here, each boasting king-size beds and marble-clad bathrooms with deep bathtubs.
Landrace Bakery, Bath
It’s almost criminal to visit Bath without scheduling a visit to Landrace Bakery. Since opening in 2019, this stylish spot on Walcot Street has been doing a roaring trade, and it’s easy to see why. Offering perfectly poured specialty coffee and freshly baked goods, you’ll want to try something of everything here. Grab a delicious pizzetta and perch on one of the tables outside - make sure to leave room for a home baked cinnamon bun (one of the best in the country) or chocolate chip cookie…or two.
Landrace Upstairs, Bath
While you’re at the bakery, make sure to book in lunch or dinner at Landrace Upstairs, the more formal restaurant above the bakery. You’ll find a daily changing menu in this cosy, light-filled space: on the menu delicious Parmesan fritters, homemade tagliatelle, and fresh sea bass are paired with natural wines.
Osip, Bruton
Michelin-starred farm-to-table restaurant Osip is the jewel in Bruton’s crown, beckoning gourmands across the country to the heart of Somerset in search of a culinary adventure. And a culinary adventure is exactly what you’ll experience here: step inside this tiny, minimally designed restaurant (adjoining Number One hotel) and dine on a seasonal tasting menu under the direction of chef Merlin Johnson. Each course is packed full of flavour, concocted from local produce, and beautifully presented on stylish handmade pottery.
The Old Pharmacy, Bruton
Right next door to Osip, you’ll find sister restaurant and wine bar The Old Pharmacy, Merlin Johnson’s second Bruton venture, and a place to stock up on groceries and enjoy small sharing plates for lunch and dinner. You’ll find a daily changing menu scratched onto the blackboard, informed by seasonal produce and Mediterranean influences, with dishes such as handmade pappardelle and cherry almond tart on offer.
The Talbot Inn, Mells
Nestled in the quaint town of Mells, where sand-coloured houses abound, The Talbot Inn offers delicious and hearty British pub grub in a relaxed setting, along with a sprawling beer garden. Expect classic favourites such as fish and chips and generous Sunday roasts, alongside desserts with plenty of flair and flavour. The Talbot is also home to several stylishly designed bedrooms if you want to stay the night.
The Bradley Hare, Maiden Bradley
A traditional village pub designed by James Thurstan, a Soho House alumnus, The Bradley Hare is a cosy, welcoming space, serving exceptionally tasty British food. You’ll find reclaimed antique furniture in every corner of the inn, each piece handpicked to add character and dotted around the restaurant, along with shabby vintage rugs and cosy armchairs to sink into. The property is also home to a handful of beautifully designed bedrooms with impressive walk-in showers, deep bathtubs and cosy bunk beds for children.
The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
With acclaimed Margot Henderson (of Rochelle Canteen fame) helming the kitchen, you can expect the menu at The Three Horseshoes to deliver; expect plenty of meaty dishes to graze on (guinea fowl pie, with a big bowl of chips to mop up the gravy, is a favourite of mine), while guests sip on pale ales and spill onto tables in the garden. If you want to stay over, there are five cosy, tastefully designed bedrooms upstairs.
Roth Bar and Grill, Bruton
Situated on the grounds of the Hauser & Wirth estate just a stone’s throw from Bruton, Roth Bar and Grill is a stylish space for gatherings, serving contemporary all day fare every day of the week - most popular are their generous Sunday roasts. Guests often spill out of the restaurant and onto the tables outside, but if you can’t bag a reservation here, you can pick up some freshly baked cakes and groceries at Durslade Farm Shop next door.
Have you ever been to Somerset or visited any of these places? Let me know in the comments below.
