What to do in Bruton, Somerset in 48 hours

Tucked away in Somerset, this small market town has become something of a country hipster hangout. This is thanks, in part, to the incredible food, world class art, concept shops, and luxury accommodation. Read our guide of what to eat, where to stay, and what to do in Bruton.

Where to stay

Number One Bruton – 1 High St, Bruton BA10 0AB

We simply had to start our guide of what to do in Bruton with where to stay as you’ll likely be travelling in by train or car and need somewhere to drop your bags. Frankly, there’s no better place to stay in Bruton than Number One Bruton.

We visited not long after the hotel first opened and heard first hand from owners Claudia and Aled about the painstaking conversion of this former coach inn into a twelve-bedroom hotel.

This hotel is pure Somerset – a block of cheddar and a bottle of cyder in each room. Design Studio, Frank and Faber have given each of these rooms a different personality – Room 1 is the early contender for the most instagrammable. 

The cost of the room includes a fresh farmhouse breakfast which is served every morning at Osip between the hours of 8:00 – 10:00 am. Don’t miss the rice pudding and milk jam.

Where to eat and drink

Osip – 1 High St, Bruton BA10 0AB

Osip – This tiny, farm-to-table restaurant is on the ground floor of Number One Bruton. Set up by Michelin-star winner, Merlin Labron-Johnson after stints working in London (Portland), France Switzerland and Belgium, he now uses the restaurant to showcase the best Bruton food. It’s a restaurant perfect for an occasion yet completely unpretentious. The service is genuinely outstanding. Book in advance.

The Chapel

The Chapel – This (you guessed it) former Chapel is home to a bakery, restaurant, and wine shop. Step in and on your right is the bakery – great for takeaway snacks and if you’re setting off on a walk around the countryside. It’s home to the best sausage roll we have ever had. 

Alternatively, walk past the bakery and ask for a table in the airy dining room. You can get wood-fired sourdough pizzas but the stand out for us were the Mediterranean influenced small plates – the south coast scallops, Jerusalem artichoke, and black pudding were a highlight. Booking in advance is recommended if you’re visiting at a busy time. 

Roth Bar and Grill

Roth Bar and Grill – The chef stands over a fire pit. Meat from Durslade Farm hangs in a glass cabinet, the back walls of which are made of Himalayan Salt. You know what this restaurant is about as soon as you walk in. The fish on the menu comes in from the south coast, just over an hour away. The vegetables come from the working free-range farm. It’s a delight.

The Bruton Castle

The Bruton Castle – the local’s favourite boozer on the high street. With plenty to choose from and friendly service, there’s not much to dislike. Grab a local cyder whilst you wait for your dinner reservation.

What to see and what to do

The Hauser & Wirth

The Hauser & Wirth – A world-class gallery and art space at Durslade Farm. The landscaped gardens and Smiljan Radic’s pavilion are a must-see. The centre is free to access and open six days a week. In Autumn 2020 the farm shop will also open its doors to the public so expect a further showcase of local produce. 

The Newt in Somerset

The Newt in Somerset – This estate is worth a blog post of its own. If you know anything about the owner’s other project, Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands, you’ll know what to expect. Spectacular gardens, hotel, restaurant, cyder-making – it’s somewhere you can spend a day wandering, grazing, and soaking it all up. It costs £20 per person for entrance so make sure you give yourself enough time to explore it all. 

Westcombe Diary

This artisan dairy produces some of the region’s finest cheeses. Get your fill of award-winning West Country classics like the Westcombe Unpasteurised Cheddar, Duckett’s Aged Caerphilly and Westcombe Somerset Ricotta

‘I wish you could feel this place, just let it seep into you… there’s a goodness here… something that clears your eyes’

John Steinbeck on Bruton, Somerset (1959)