Castle House, Taunton

Castle House, part of a 12th century castle, has a long and varied history. The medieval building has played host to judges and royal courts, and later to school boarders and museum curators. Now in the grounds of the Museum of Somerset, it is a unique opportunity to stay in the historic Taunton Castle. With views over the castle courtyard and the ruined castle keep, now transformed into the Castle Hotel’s beautiful Keep Garden, you can achieve an insight into the medieval world that once occupied this place. The ground level entrance is situated on the side of the property facing the Castle Hotel for 24-hour access. Once inside, a flight of stairs takes you to an upstairs hall, off which the ‘Tudor Room’ is located, the property’s feature sitting-room. This floor also contains a luxury double bedroom and single bedroom, a large shower room and an elegant dining room which leads through to the kitchen. Complete with all modern conveniences, the kitchen is spacious and light with wide views onto the Keep Gardens. If you don’t want to eat-in, why not pop across to one of the Castle Hotel’s restaurants? You can also have the Castle Hotel deliver lunch to you on request. Follow another flight of stairs up to the third storey of Castle House and you will find a large bathroom with a stand-alone bath, a twin single and the master bedroom complete with a four-poster bed. Once unpacked, if you want to learn more about the local area why not head over to the Museum of Somerset? There you can explore the county’s rich history, partake in one of the museum’s many events or just take in the atmosphere with a coffee in the castle courtyard. You can also enjoy free entry to special family events and arrange a private guided tour of Castle House and it’s connecting tower! (Please contact the museum for further details.) As the county town of Somerset, Taunton town centre contains many other local attractions including the Somerset County Cricket Ground, the Brewhouse (with its arthouse cinema, theatre and gallery), Taunton Farmer’s Market, Vivary Park and Taunton’s grandest church, St Mary Magdalene. Taunton is surrounded by the Quantock and Blackdown Hills. Both are listed as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contain a range of stunning walks for ramblers of all experiences. You can also find Hestercombe Gardens just outside the Taunton town centre and the Willow and Wetlands Centre is a short drive away on the Levels. If you would like to explore further afield, Glastonbury, Wells and Cheddar Gorge are an hour’s drive away, or for those who fancy a coastal view you can explore the seaside at Minehead or go fossil-hunting on Kilve beach. With Castle House only a fifteen-minute drive from the M5, the surrounding areas of Bristol and Exeter are within easy reach to provide a day out everyone will enjoy.