No. 1 Bruton: A Hotel in a 500-Year-Old Property in Somerset

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Ever since Julie stumbled on the lodgings at No. 1 Bruton in the tiny, design-forward town of Bruton in Somerset, I’ve been studying their guest rooms for an education in soft but cheerful palettes.

The hotel is set in a series of preserved old buildings: a row of cottages, a Georgian townhouse, and a medieval forge. All told, the property has been in use for over 500 years, the No. 1 Bruton site notes. Now in its latest iteration, historic exposed beams and stone floors mix with doses of color, ticking stripes, and Morris textiles in the 12 guest quarters.

Take a look (and take notes):

Photography via No. 1 Bruton.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset The hotel is situated around a courtyard done by garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse. — Above: The hotel is situated around a courtyard done by garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset The tiny restaurant Osip is housed in the old ironmonger&#8\2\17;s shop at No. \1 Bruton. Farmhouse breakfasts (&#8\2\20;with lashings of fresh coffee and tea, organic milk&#8\230;homemade jams, tarts, local cheese,&#8\2\2\1; and the like) are included in each overnight stay. The restaurant also serves supper. — Above: The tiny restaurant Osip is housed in the old ironmonger’s shop at No. 1 Bruton. Farmhouse breakfasts (“with lashings of fresh coffee and tea, organic milk…homemade jams, tarts, local cheese,” and the like) are included in each overnight stay. The restaurant also serves supper.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset The restaurant, with zellige tiled walls and dried flowers. For much more on Osip, see the feature on The Modern House. — Above: The restaurant, with zellige tiled walls and dried flowers. For much more on Osip, see the feature on The Modern House.

no 1 bruton restaurantjpg — Above: The menus are written on the foxed mirrors that line the dining room. Photo via The Modern House.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset No. \1 Bruton offers three types of lodgings: Townhouse, Cottages, and The Forge. This room is Cottage \2, with brick floors, stone walls, a spindle bed, and a sitting area. Guests are greeted with an array of local provisions, including Westcombe cheddar, cider from Dowding&#8\2\17;s, and milk from Bruton Dairy. — Above: No. 1 Bruton offers three types of lodgings: Townhouse, Cottages, and The Forge. This room is Cottage 2, with brick floors, stone walls, a spindle bed, and a sitting area. Guests are greeted with an array of local provisions, including Westcombe cheddar, cider from Dowding’s, and milk from Bruton Dairy.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset Townhouse 4 features a \16th century fireplace, white painted wood paneling, and curved, papered walls. The townhouse has winding stairs; the leaf design that appears on the bannister was forged on the property. — Above: Townhouse 4 features a 16th-century fireplace, white-painted wood paneling, and curved, papered walls. The townhouse has winding stairs; the leaf design that appears on the bannister was forged on the property.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset A bedside niche and striped pink pillows. — Above: A bedside niche and striped pink pillows.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset Cottage rooms feature exposed beams and Morris textiles. — Above: Cottage rooms feature exposed beams and Morris textiles.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset The sunny Townhouse \2. — Above: The sunny Townhouse 2.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset An embroidered bedspread and an of the moment patterned bedside light in Cottage 3. (For more, see \1\1 Favorites: The Return of the Artfully Patterned Lampshade.) — Above: An embroidered bedspread and an of-the-moment patterned bedside light in Cottage 3. (For more, see 11 Favorites: The Return of the Artfully Patterned Lampshade.)

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset Bathrooms are stocked with toiletries by local makers Great Elm Physick Garden (also available for purchase). — Above: Bathrooms are stocked with toiletries by local makers Great Elm Physick Garden (also available for purchase).

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset A bedroom in the \1\2th century Forge, with exposed beams, bright doses of color, and an in room bath. — Above: A bedroom in the 12th-century Forge, with exposed beams, bright doses of color, and an in-room bath.

No 1 Bruton A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset A sweet coverlet and painted bed frame in the Forge. — Above: A sweet coverlet and painted bed frame in the Forge.

The hamlet of Bruton is becoming something of a destination. (“Could the small town in Somerset be England’s answer to Marfa?” Remodelista contributor Izabella Simmons asked in Caro: A Design Shop by Way of Love in Somerset.)

“Somerset is the most enchanting of all the counties,” alleges the No. 1 Bruton site. “The town gets a mention in the Domesday book (1086) and there are old and interesting places around every corner…It’s quirky, creative, and really rather surprising.”

Among the town and orchards, visit:

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