The Castle Hotel

The Castle Hotel in Taunton occupies a Grade II listed 18th-century reconstruction of the town’s former 12th-century Norman fortress. Its wisteria-covered frontage is a well-known landmark in the centre of Taunton, Somerset. This is a castle in the middle of a county town rather than a hilltop retreat, and that is part of its charm.

A family-run hotel

The hotel has been run for three generations by the Chapman family and describes itself as a one-off rather than a chain. It has 44 bedrooms, each with its own personality. The family’s focus has long been on food and wine, comfort and attentive service.

Food and drink

The kitchen is the heart of the hotel. Brazz is the restaurant, with a bar that becomes a cocktail spot in the evening. Afternoon tea is served in the art deco Drawing Room, with a traditional version and a Champagne version both on offer. Pastries and cakes are made by the hotel’s own patisserie.

Spaces

The Penthouse is an events space with its own bar and a roof terrace overlooking Taunton’s skyline, with views of the Quantock, Brendon and Blackdown Hills beyond. There are also Norman Gardens attached to the hotel.

Location

Taunton sits at the heart of the West Country, making the hotel a convenient base for Somerset’s heritage houses, gardens and museums. The hotel is two miles from the M5 and has car parking for residents and guests, along with four 22kW electric vehicle chargers that need a type 2 cable.