Places to stay if visiting Taunton and the surrounding areas.
If you are planning to visit the Taunton and Wellington area, why not browse our top picks of places to stay, as recommended by our clients and care professionals.
The Notley Arms Inn, Monksilver
The Notley Arms in the tiny village of Monksilver, dates back to the 1600s. It was rebuilt in the 19th century as an inn, and has recently been refurbished to create a modern but traditional country pub with rooms. You can expect open log fires, comfy seating and a cosy ambience. The six en-suite rooms which have an AA ‘four star gold’ award, are housed in a separate coach house. Disabled access accommodation is available.
The bed and breakfast rate includes a cooked to order full Exmoor Somerset Breakfast. But you can also enjoy evening meals – the homemade chips are legendary and we’ve heard that the steaks are cooked to perfection. A lot of attention is paid to supporting local businesses including the brewery behind Exmoor Ale, which can be found at the bar, along with other Somerset beers and ciders.
The Notley Arms is in a superb location within Exmoor National Park, the Coleridge Way and other fantastic walks are within easy reach. It is also just 13 miles from Taunton.
The Castle Hotel, Taunton
The Castle Hotel which was once a Norman fortress has been a hotel for more than 300 years. The imposing wisteria clad facade embodies the sense of history that is deserved of this Taunton institution. It has now been owned and operated by three generations of the same family, and it is clear that the personal touch is central to the ethos of the service and standards expected. The Castle has built a strong reputation locally for sophistication, all the rooms are individually designed and decorated, and you can expect top quality comfort from your stay.
There are various dining options at the hotel. The main restaurant Brazza offers a wide ranging menu that includes fishcakes, steak and vegan salads. The more exclusive Castle Bow is dedicated to creative modern British Cuisine, whilst the Drawing Room is a cosy corner perfect for morning coffee or afternoon tea.
You will find The Castle Hotel over looking Castle Green next to the Somerset Musuem. It is the ideal base from which to explore our beautiful county, also known as ‘the land of the summer people’.
The Corner House Hotel Taunton
The Victorian red brick Corner House Hotel is a good option if you are looking to stay near Taunton town centre. The clientele are a mixture of business and pleasure travellers due to the convenient location and the well-equipped rooms. There are 45 different sized bedrooms arranged over three floors and an annexe. There is ground floor accommodation which has disabled access, and pet friendly rooms are available in the annexe.
Part of the Hatton Group that has a collection of hotels mainly in the Cotswolds, The Corner House positions itself as providing a simple yet stylish offering to guests. The restaurant and bar have been refurbished with a shabby chic feel, the numerous nooks and crannies are perfect for privacy between different groups of people having a meal or enjoying a drink together. On the menu you can find dishes such as rabbit, scallops and pork belly. The buffet continental breakfast includes pastries, fresh fruit salads and cereal, and for those with heartier appetites a cooked breakfast is available.
The hotel has on site car parking for a daily charge, and is a short walk from the hospital in one direction, and Somerset County Cricket ground in the other. You can find it, on the corner of Park Street.
The Cleve, Wellington
The Cleve in Wellington was a former Victorian manor house designed and built for the Fox family who had a local woollen mill business. Now, The Cleve is a very small hotel (just four en-suite bedrooms) that is owned and operated by the Clarke family. Due to its tucked away location and charming interiors, The Cleve feels like a hidden gem. Health and wellbeing is a big focus, with a spa and swimming pool on-site. There is also a drive to promote sustainability and to champion local industry and the community.
The Cleve positions itself as having a timeless charm, that is built on offering a personal welcome to all visitors within a beautiful setting overlooking the Blackdown Hills. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are served in the Garden Coffee House. You can sip your coffee whilst reflecting on the striking views across the Devon-Somerset countryside. The Coffee House attracts regular local visitors looking for serenity, perhaps after a morning swim or work-out at the gym.
You will find The Cleve at the very bottom of Mantle Street in Wellington, and is a good base from which to explore the West Country.
Farthings Country House Hotel and Restaurant
The Farthings offers rooms, a restaurant and gardens within an elegant 18th century setting. The twelve en-suite bedrooms are individually decorated, they range in size and accessibility. The approach is very much to create a a home-from-home experience, whether that be relaxing by a crackling log fire in winter, or strolling amongst the fruit orchards in the warmer months.
The team behind the Farthings are proud to rear their own pigs and poultry on site. The meat and eggs appear on the menus all year round. Salads are produced in the greenhouse during the summer, and home curing meats and fish is also a priority for the chefs. We love the focus on the food being truly local, and with dishes such as crispy coated spiced tiger prawns or Exmoor venison, there is a sense of quality to the dining experience. The duck eggs on the breakfast menu – which can be cooked to whatever specification required, get rave reviews.
The magnificent willow tree in the centre of the garden is a showstopper; located in Hatch Beauchamp, you can find The Farthings here.
