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.

the hotel is situated around a courtyard done by garden designer and writer pen 14 — Above: The hotel is situated around a courtyard done by garden designer and writer Penelope Hobhouse.

the tiny restaurant osip is housed in the old ironmonger&#8\2\17;s shop at 15 — 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.

the restaurant, with zellige tiled walls and dried flowers. for much more on os 16 — 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 A Hotel in a 500YearOld Property in Somerset portrait 7_39 — Above: The menus are written on the foxed mirrors that line the dining room. Photo via The Modern House.

no. \1 bruton offers three types of lodgings: townhouse, cottages, and the forg 18 — 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.

townhouse 4 features a \16th century fireplace, white painted wood paneling, an 19 — 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.

a bedside niche and striped pink pillows. 20 — Above: A bedside niche and striped pink pillows.

cottage rooms feature exposed beams and morris textiles. 21 — Above: Cottage rooms feature exposed beams and Morris textiles.

the sunny townhouse \2. 22 — Above: The sunny Townhouse 2.

an embroidered bedspread and an of the moment patterned bedside light in cottag 23 — 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.)

bathrooms are stocked with toiletries by local makers great elm physick garden 24 — Above: Bathrooms are stocked with toiletries by local makers Great Elm Physick Garden (also available for purchase).

a bedroom in the \1\2th century forge, with exposed beams, bright doses of colo 25 — Above: A bedroom in the 12th-century Forge, with exposed beams, bright doses of color, and an in-room bath.

a sweet coverlet and painted bed frame in the forge. 26 — 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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