In December we kickstarted our Christmas with a few as it turned out Christmassy days in Devon stopping overnight along the way, this time choosing Bruton in Somerset. While it actually didn’t reduce the driving any, it did avoid a long and dull drive along the M5 at least in one direction. We didn’t know much about Bruton beforehand, as it turned out to be a last minute booking when the hotel we’d chosen originally was unable to open, but it turned out more than well.
We arrived shortly after sunset and the view from our top floor bedroom at Number One Bruton was almost magical. Completely by chance we’d chosen to stay here on the town’s Christmas night with the shops opening later, a street market and an abseiling Santa, like you do. It was throning, and very nice of them to put on such a show for us!
The view inside our room was equally as good - I even managed to dress to match the gorgeously tiled shower.
After snaffling the in room goodies, which included some local Westcombe Cheddar cheese and handmade shortbread we took a walk around the Christmas stalls and shops. We didn’t get far before MOH spotted a promising looking sofa in one window. We went in to investigate and fell for a vintage paisley patterned quite pink velvet sofa - which despite being in the shop’s window we were encouraged to try out. MOH has since said he pointed it out partly in jest, but after further quizzing he too likes it enough to have in our lounge, I’m not sure I’d say he’s fallen for it but he can see how it would work and be the making of the room.
Further along the street we stumbled across these ceramics, I couldn’t stop looking at the ribbed candlestick on the right and so it was got down for us to look at further. There’s something about it, I’m not sure if it’s the texture, the wonkiness, the colour or a bit of all three, but it came home with us anyway. It is also for the lounge and has the tones of the sofa we’d just seen, so it was probably meant to be.
After signing up for more info on the sofa, buying the candlestick and claiming the can of local craft beer that the candlestick selling lady insisted we have, we thought we’d better head back. Somehow along the way I took the photo above of the Christmas lights, and below which is I’m sure the same thing. I think I quite like the one below though!
The hotel itself had plenty of charm, from the original drawer unit now acting as a reception desk right through to the room key labels hanging on the back wall, and plenty more besides.
It’s been a while since we’ve been up and down circular stairs, though of course those in our previous house didn’t have an enticing view of the garden part-way up.
The courtyard garden looks a great space for warmer evenings, and I’m sure we could be back again returning on a future stop off at some point. It’s well positioned, has gorgeous decor plus the most delicious restaurant - and there’s a bar next door too, which is all part of the Number One Bruton experience. And on top of this, if that wasn’t enough, as hotel guests we were able to spend some time the next day looking around the gardens at The Newt in Somerset which was about ten minutes up the road. I’ve so much more from there to share!
So sometimes when plans change at the last minute, they do for the best. Though I was probably questioning that when we encountered ‘all the rain’ on our onward journey, but that too was an experience - just one I hope we don’t have again!