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Number One Bruton is like staying with friends with very good taste – a gorgeous property in the heart of Bruton – it’s informal yet special, inciting curiosity with lots of attention-to-detail.
Your dog will be delighted to stay with you at this brilliant Georgian townhouse, medieval forge and row of cottages – all of which have been carefully transformed by owners, Claudia Waddams and Aled Rees into a perfectly appointed 12-bedroom hotel set around a pretty courtyard. The quirky abode strikes just the right balance of fun and sophistication, making it a memorable stay with your pal at your side.
At the core of the project is a devotion to Somerset’s craft heritage, artistry and acclaimed culture. It’s the ultimate retreat from city life; the inspiration behind Number One Bruton being a genuine desire to create something palpably joyful and real. The main original house dates back to the 1500’s and is beautifully eccentric in its design whereas the three dog-friendly cottage rooms evoke a more understated farmhouse feel.
Your four-legged friends are also welcome to stay in four Forge rooms, where the vibe has a more modern edge with stand-alone baths and rain showers, courtyard views and cute outdoor spaces. Your canine pals will be welcomed with lots of fuss and doggie treats, along with a bed, bowl and towel provided for the duration of your stay. There’s also a dog-sitting service available on request.
All rooms have been individually styled with a great deal of care and lots of personal touches – all of the art is locally sourced and the pretty courtyard garden has been designed by Penelope Hobhouse. Playful and creative in its design, with an eclectic mix of interiors – antiques, elaborately patterned wallpapers and luxurious fabrics. A delightful breakfast is served in Osip, the adjoining restaurant, where the focus is on simple and seasonal ingredients that are flavoursome as well as wholesome. Expect Somerset pastries and soft boiled eggs, fresh fruit, creamy rice pudding, homemade jam and granola, insanely good sourdough, and wonderful cheese from Westcombe Dairy.
There are endless options for dog walking in and around the town from the deep combes of north Bruton or a shorter stroll up the gentler hills to the south – we love an amble through the rural landscape to the south of the town with a few steep accents, visiting pretty Pitcombe Church – a highlight along the way.
There are also some beautiful routes to Batcombe Veil and back – medium to long, depending on your chosen route. We particularly enjoy Spargrove for its open fields, and footpaths along the River Alham, also the scenic four-mile off-road route to Castle Cary and the three-mile direct route to the Newt.
For insane views head to Creech Hill where the vistas extend from Alfred’s Tower to the east and Cranborne Chase in Dorset to the south, to the Brendon Hills and the Devon boarder 40 miles west, with much of Somerset in between. Don’t leave without visiting Godminster cheese, located at the bottom of the town and
Westcombe Dairy, five minutes’ drive away – both of which are dog-friendly.
Just a few doors down, you will find The Old Pharmacy – Osip’s little sister – a gorgeous little café-come-deli, wine bar, grocery store and bistro. Super dog-friendly, it hits just the right note, offering a great spot to eat some hearty and well thought through dishes with your dog at your side. It’s an understated spot, housed in a centuries-old building that used to be a Pharmacy; now a foodie destination with a fork-to-field ethos, décor is simple and chic with a rustic vibe – bare floorboards, original stone walls and wooden tables set against olive green and cream walls and ceramic lighting with books, preserves and dried flowers displayed on simple shelving.
The small space is entirely dog-friendly with around seven tables and bar-stool seating at the window. There’s a daily-changing blackboard displaying the menu that offers a selection of hearty and delicious small plates to share, celebrating Somerset produce, using homegrown ingredients from their own farm. On Sundays there’s a set menu that we can highly recommend and during the day it’s a great spot to pop in for coffee by Roundhill – a personal favourite Roastery – and tastiest pastries from Rye bakery.
There’s also a tiny adjacent shop that sells grocery items as well local coffee, ciders and organic wines. We also love At the Chapel – an artisan bakery and wine store – where your dog is welcome to join you out on the terrace seating; a superb spot, celebrated for their delicious woodfired pizza and superb bakery offerings.
There’s also the Prickly Pear, situated at the top of the High Street, also owned by Claudia and Aled, where you will discover exceptional food – the perfect low-key spot to settle with your dog and tuck into locally sourced ingredients with a Mexican twist – washed down with craft beers, local Somerset ciders and seasonally-focussed cocktails.
Please contact Number One Bruton directly for dog rates.
A number one destination for the decerning dog, I felt right at home in the gorgeous surrounds. Our cosiest cottage room, located just off the courtyard, had a comfy bed set up by an open fire and just a stick’s throw took us to lots of great walks, as well as a huge amount of cheese! I’ve been lucky enough to put my paws over the threshold twice to-date – paws crossed the humans decide to head back again.
5/5 Paws
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