Hotel Snapshot
At The Chapel offers a dramatic welcome to one of the most design-forward stays in England. Its bakery is locally famous, and its art collection and literary salons draw well-known talent from far and wide. Rooms are sunlight-doused; dinner is crafted from local fare only. Nearby are countless wine bars, olde pubs, chic bistros, and the famed gallery and sculpture gardens of Hauser + Wirth.
Design and Character
Even the exterior of At The Chapel is filled with history—and we mean that quite literally. The building is made from Doulting stone, quarried from the nearby Mendip Hills, which are filled with Jurassic-era fossils. Though it’s made of stone, it’s hardly cold or unwelcoming.
The sweet and salty scent from one of the most lauded bakeries across Somerset beckons you in from the quaint and gently bustling street for a warm hello. Further inside, guests can mingle over a martini in the bar (hot tip: Order a drink at sunset, when the bar is drenched in a picture-perfect pink and orange light). The building has worn many faces since the 1600s, first as an inn, then a Georgian-era silk mill, and later a Victorian chapel. In the 1960s, it took its most unexpected turn yet, becoming a hippie commune said to have been frequented by Genesis and other British music legends.
The Rooms
Each room is designed in a minimalist aesthetic, where the stained-glass original windows and limestone walls are the stars of the show. Rooms are an extension of the traditional-meets-modern aesthetic that runs through the entire hotel. Find scrubbed mahogany floors, exposed beams, and often spacious marble bathrooms in each. Not every suite has a tub, but it’s worth upgrading to the few that do.
Food & Drink
The dining room is built around a menu crafted by owner Catherine Butler that reflects her idea of elevated social dining. Organic, biodynamic, and hearty are the main objectives. The hotel’s steak is a reliable choice for a fantastic meal, as are its sourdough pizzas. The desserts are unskippable. And if you’re there for a weekend, do not miss the Sunday roast. Breakfast feels like a spiritual awakening, served in a double-height main room with a spiral staircase that leads to a generous continental spread with fresh juices and West Country butter. Order à la carte eggs any way you wish and be wowed by their homemade ketchups and the simplicity of the mushrooms on toast.
Amenities
At The Chapel offers free parking, a friendly 24-hour reception desk, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly rooms, Egyptian cotton linens, and a basket of croissants that’s delivered daily to your room. While it doesn’t have a pool, a gym, or a spa, the hotel more than makes up for it with a beautiful aesthetic and bragging rights for even scoring a room at all.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
The much-loved gallery Hauser + Wirth is just a 10-minute walk away. The walk itself is a gift, as you pass little brooks, flower gardens, thrift shops, and known foodie hotspots, including Matt’s Kitchen, Osip Restaurant, and Prickly Pear.
Fast Facts
Address: At The Chapel, High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AE
Neighborhood: Bruton, Somerset
Nearest Airport: Bristol
Star Rating: 3-star
Starting Rate: $215
Room Count: 8
Vibe: A city escape in the country
Best For: Artists, writers, small families
Is At The Chapel pet-friendly? Yes, At The Chapel offers pet-friendly rooms.
Is At The Chapel good for couples? Yes, At The Chapel is well suited to couples.
Amenities: 24-hour reception, on-site bakery and grocery store Nearby: Hauser + Wirth, Frome, Osip Restaurant Our Favorite Thing: The Christ-like sculpture looking down on guests in the main room.
Somerset, England
