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Where to Stay in Somerset: 7 Hotels Rated Best for Location

The Hoverspeed Journal

Where to Stay in Somerset: 7 Hotels Rated Best for Location

Find the best hotels in Somerset with top location ratings. From Exmoor villages to rural retreats - compare 7 highly rated properties before you book.

Where to Stay in Somerset: 7 Hotels Rated Best for Location

Somerset is one of England's most geographically rewarding counties - but choosing where to base yourself matters enormously. From the dramatic coastline at Porlock Weir to the market town atmosphere of Castle Cary and the Exmoor gateway of Dulverton, the county spreads across a wide area with no single dominant hub. This guide covers 7 hotels in Somerset with standout location ratings, helping you match your base to your actual itinerary - whether that's walking the South West Coast Path, visiting Dunster Castle, or day-tripping into Bristol.

What It's Like Staying in Somerset

Somerset rewards slow, car-based travel - the county has no major motorway cutting through its most scenic areas, and public transport between villages is limited to infrequent bus services. Most visitors hire a car or arrive by train into Taunton or Castle Cary (served by GWR from London Paddington in around 90 minutes), then drive out to their chosen base. Crowd patterns vary sharply: coastal spots like Porlock and Blue Anchor fill up heavily in July and August, while inland towns like Langport and Dulverton stay quieter even at peak season.

Somerset suits walkers, cyclists, and anyone drawn to Exmoor National Park, the Mendip Hills, or the Somerset Levels. Travellers expecting urban convenience or nightlife would be better served by nearby Bristol.

Pros:

  • Direct rail access from London into Castle Cary and Taunton makes car-free arrival feasible for some bases
  • Exmoor National Park and the Mendip Hills are within easy reach of most properties in this guide
  • Low accommodation density in rural areas means genuine quiet - no urban noise, no crowds at breakfast

Cons:

  • Without a car, getting between villages is impractical - bus frequency drops to once or twice daily on many rural routes
  • Coastal locations like Porlock Weir have very limited dining and shopping options beyond the hotel itself
  • Mobile signal and broadband can be unreliable in Exmoor and the Quantock Hills

Why Choose a Well-Located Hotel in Somerset

In a county as geographically varied as Somerset, location rating isn't just about proximity to a town centre - it's about how easily a hotel puts you at the door of the experiences you came for. A top-rated location in Porlock Weir means stepping onto a beach path in under 2 minutes; in Compton Martin, it means being 14 km from Bristol Airport and positioned on the edge of the Mendip Hills. Hotels with strong location scores in Somerset typically sit either in or immediately adjacent to a named village, with direct access to walking trails, local pubs, or historic landmarks.

Price differences between well-located Somerset properties tend to be driven by property type rather than pure geography - a characterful inn in a Mendip village can cost less per night than a coastal hotel with sea views, yet score equally on location because it serves a different traveller profile.

Pros:

  • Staying in a well-positioned village inn gives immediate access to trails, local character, and authentic Somerset atmosphere
  • Properties near Bristol's southern edge (Chew Magna, Compton Martin) let you combine rural Somerset with easy Bristol day trips
  • Coastal and Exmoor-based hotels eliminate the need for long morning drives to reach the county's headline attractions

Cons:

  • High location scores in remote areas mean limited walkable amenities - you may need to drive even for groceries
  • Rooms in characterful historic buildings sometimes trade modern soundproofing for period charm
  • Peak-season availability at small, well-located village properties disappears weeks in advance

Practical Booking & Area Strategy for Somerset

Somerset breaks naturally into four distinct stay zones, each serving a different travel style. The Exmoor fringe - covering Dulverton and Porlock Weir - is best for walkers and wildlife watchers; book here if Exmoor National Park is your priority, but accept that the nearest supermarket may be 20 minutes away. The Mendip Hills corridor (Compton Martin, Chew Magna) places you around 14 km from Bristol city centre, making it the most flexible zone for mixed rural-urban itineraries. South Somerset, anchored by Castle Cary, suits visitors combining the Somerset Levels with day trips to Glastonbury, Wells Cathedral, and the Jurassic Coast. For self-catering flexibility, the Langport area offers Somerset Levels access alongside cycling on the King's Sedgemoor Drain trail.

Book at least 6 weeks ahead for July and August stays at coastal and Exmoor properties - rooms at small village hotels in Porlock and Dulverton are counted in single digits. Shoulder season (late April to June and September to October) gives the best combination of weather, trail conditions, and room availability across all zones.

Best Value Stays

These properties deliver strong location scores at accessible price points, positioned in well-connected Somerset villages with direct access to key attractions or transport links.

  • 1. The Ring 'O' Bells

    9.2 Superb
    348 reviews
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    The Ring 'O' Bells The Ring 'O' Bells The Ring 'O' Bells The Ring 'O' Bells The Ring 'O' Bells

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    1/1
    Check-in
    from 15:00 until 21:30
    Check-out
    from 08:00 until 11:00

    The Ring 'O' Bells sits in Compton Martin at the foot of the Mendip Hills, placing guests within walking distance of Blagdon Lake and the West Mendip Way, while Bristol Airport is just 14 km away - a practical combination rarely found at this price point. The on-site restaurant serves à la carte, Full English, and vegetarian breakfasts, rated exceptional by guests, making the start of a walking day considerably easier. Rooms are fitted with flat-screen TVs, desks, and private en suite showers with free toiletries. Free private parking removes the stress of rural navigation on arrival.

    • Exceptional breakfast (à la carte, Full English, vegetarian)
    • Free private parking on site
    • Restaurant and bar in the property

    Just a few rooms left at the best rate! 

    from

    £ 92

  • 2. The Queens Chew Magna

    8.7 Fabulous
    105 reviews
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    The Queens Chew Magna The Queens Chew Magna The Queens Chew Magna The Queens Chew Magna The Queens Chew Magna

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    Check-in
    from 15:00 until 21:00
    Check-out
    from 07:00 until 10:00

    The Queens Chew Magna (official site) sits in the village of Chew Magna, an allergy-free property positioned 9 km from Bristol Airport and 14 km from Bristol Cathedral - making it one of the most transport-convenient bases in the northern Somerset zone. Guest rooms include coffee machines and fridges, adding practical self-sufficiency that suits early-departure travellers catching morning flights. The terrace and garden provide outdoor space with views across the Chew Valley, and the on-site bar and restaurant mean no need to drive for dinner. Free WiFi is available throughout.

    • 9 km from Bristol Airport - closest in this selection
    • Allergy-free property with terrace and garden
    • In-room coffee machine and fridge in every unit

    Just a few rooms left at the best rate! 

    from

    £ 138

  • 3. Withy Cottages

    9.0 Superb
    99 reviews
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    Withy Cottages Withy Cottages Withy Cottages Withy Cottages Withy Cottages

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    1/1
    Check-in
    from 15:00 until 21:00
    Check-out
    until 10:00

    Withy Cottages is a recently renovated 4-star holiday home in Langport, set in a historic building with a garden, terrace, outdoor fireplace, and private check-in - details that collectively make it the most independent-stay option in this guide. Units come with private entrances, fully equipped kitchens (dishwasher, oven), dining areas, fireplaces, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and bathrobes - a level of domestic comfort that suits families or couples staying multiple nights on the Somerset Levels. Cycling routes along the King's Sedgemoor Drain and Aller Moor are accessible directly from Langport, and the market town itself provides local shops and cafés. Bristol Airport is 46 km away, manageable by car via the A38.

    • Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and oven
    • Outdoor fireplace and private entrance
    • Free private parking and free WiFi

    Just a few rooms left at the best rate! 

    from

    £ 160

  • 4. Pilgrims Rest With Annexe

    8.9 Fabulous
    77 reviews
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    Pilgrims Rest With Annexe Pilgrims Rest With Annexe Pilgrims Rest With Annexe Pilgrims Rest With Annexe Pilgrims Rest With Annexe

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    Check-in
    from 17:00 until 23:00
    Check-out
    until 11:00

    Pilgrims Rest With Annexe is a 1930s holiday home offering genuine group or family capacity - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with baths, a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, fireplace, and a private garden, all 17 km from Bristol Airport. The private entrance and outdoor dining area make it a self-contained base for multi-night stays exploring the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge (around 20 km), or the Chew Valley Lake. Bristol Temple Meads Station is 30 km away for rail connections. Free private parking and free WiFi are included, and the non-smoking policy throughout keeps the property particularly suited to families. ->

    • 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms - largest sleeping capacity in this selection
    • Washing machine and fully equipped kitchen for extended stays
    • Private garden with outdoor dining area

    Hurry – almost gone at this price! 

    from

    £ 167

Best Premium Stays

These three properties combine heritage character, strong on-site dining, and exceptional positioning within Somerset's most scenic and visited areas - Exmoor, the Porlock coast, and South Somerset.

  • 5. The Porlock Weir Hotel

    9.1 Superb
    387 reviews
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    The Porlock Weir Hotel The Porlock Weir Hotel The Porlock Weir Hotel The Porlock Weir Hotel The Porlock Weir Hotel

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    1/1
    Check-in
    from 15:00 until 22:00
    Check-out
    until 11:00

    The Porlock Weir Hotel occupies one of the most precisely positioned spots in this entire guide - within 200 metres of Porlock Beach on the Somerset coast, with Dunster Castle reachable in 16 km by car. The hotel's sea-view rooms, full-service restaurant, bar, concierge, and room service deliver a level of on-site infrastructure that removes any need to drive during your stay. Breakfast covers Full English, vegetarian, and vegan options, rated fabulous by guests. Free parking is on site, and the shared lounge and terrace face the harbour - a functional asset at a working coastal village where outdoor evening seating is genuinely useable.

    • Beachfront position - 200 m from Porlock Beach
    • Sea-view rooms available
    • Full restaurant, bar, room service, and concierge on site

    Hurry – almost gone at this price! 

    from

    £ 129

  • 2. Lion Hotel Dulverton

    8.0 Very Good
    472 reviews
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    Lion Hotel Dulverton Lion Hotel Dulverton Lion Hotel Dulverton Lion Hotel Dulverton Lion Hotel Dulverton

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    1/1
    Check-in
    from 15:30 until 22:00
    Check-out
    from 07:00 until 11:00

    Lion Hotel Dulverton sits at the heart of Dulverton, the southern gateway town to Exmoor National Park, where the River Barle meets Exmoor's wooded valleys - a position that makes it the natural base for multi-day Exmoor walking itineraries. Tiverton Castle is reachable within 20 km and Dunster Castle within 26 km, giving the hotel genuine dual-use appeal for heritage and landscape visitors. Breakfast is rated exceptional, with à la carte, continental, and Full English options. All rooms include private bathrooms with baths - a detail walkers returning from moorland routes will appreciate - plus tea and coffee facilities, TVs, and free WiFi throughout. Darts is available on site, and the bar creates a genuine pub atmosphere rather than a hotel lounge substitute.

    • Town-centre Dulverton location - Exmoor National Park on the doorstep
    • Exceptional breakfast with à la carte option
    • Rooms with baths (not just showers) - rare in this category

    Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate! 

    from

    £ 79

  • 3. The George Hotel

    7.6 Good
    581 reviews
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    The George Hotel The George Hotel The George Hotel The George Hotel The George Hotel

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    1/1
    Check-in
    from 14:00 until 23:00
    Check-out
    until 10:00

    The George Hotel is a 15th-century building in the centre of Castle Cary, a market town with its own GWR rail station connecting directly to London Paddington - making it the only property in this guide with genuine car-free arrival viability from London. The hotel's official site lists 2 bar areas with fireplaces and a wood-panelled restaurant serving a full dinner menu, covering the full evening dining need without leaving the property. Complimentary breakfast is included. All rooms are individually designed with en suite facilities - a practical differentiator in a county where standardised room layouts are the norm at this price tier. Castle Cary sits 10 km from Glastonbury and provides a logical base for exploring the Somerset Levels, Shepton Mallet, and the Jurassic Coast.

    • Walking distance from Castle Cary GWR rail station (London Paddington direct)
    • 2 bars with fireplaces plus wood-panelled restaurant
    • Individually designed rooms with en suite - no two rooms identical

    Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate! 

    from

    £ 75

Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Somerset

Somerset's peak season runs from late June through August, when Exmoor, the Somerset coast, and Glastonbury (during and around the festival in late June) see room availability drop sharply. Prices at coastal hotels like Porlock Weir can rise by around 35% compared to equivalent September dates, and properties with under 10 rooms sell out weeks in advance. The shoulder windows of late April through May and September through mid-October offer the best practical combination: moorland paths are dry, Exmoor red deer rut begins in October, and village pubs operate full menus without the August queues.

Winter stays (November to February) suit visitors specifically targeting the Somerset Levels for starling murmurations - one of England's most dramatic wildlife spectacles, peaking January to February above the wetlands near Langport and Shapwick Heath. A minimum of 3 nights is worth planning if you intend to combine Exmoor, the Mendip Hills, and the coast in one trip - the distances between zones make day-return trips from a single base genuinely tiring. Last-minute deals are rare at quality-rated Somerset village properties; early booking of 8 weeks ahead is the reliable strategy for summer stays.

  • What It's Like Staying in Somerset
  • Why Choose a Well-Located Hotel in Somerset
  • Practical Booking & Area Strategy for Somerset

  • Best Value Stays

    • 1. The Ring 'O' Bells
    • 2. The Queens Chew Magna
    • 3. Withy Cottages
    • 4. Pilgrims Rest With Annexe

  • Best Premium Stays

    • 5. The Porlock Weir Hotel
    • 6. Lion Hotel Dulverton
    • 7. The George Hotel
  • Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Somerset
Hotels featured in this article
1. The Ring 'O' Bells
2. The Queens Chew Magna
3. Withy Cottages
4. Pilgrims Rest With Annexe
5. The Porlock Weir Hotel
6. Lion Hotel Dulverton
7. The George Hotel
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Hotel Comparison Table

Hotel Price Best For Location Trade-Off Top Strength Standout Feature
The Porlock Weir Hotel £ 129 Couples, coastal walkers Porlock Weir, Exmoor Coast Very limited village amenities beyond the hotel 200 m from Porlock Beach - beachfront position Sea-view rooms with full room service
The Ring 'O' Bells £ 92 Bristol day-trippers, Mendip walkers Compton Martin, Mendip Hills No sea views or Exmoor access 14 km from Bristol Airport with exceptional breakfast À la carte breakfast rated exceptional by guests
The Queens Chew Magna £ 138 Airport stopovers, Chew Valley visitors Chew Magna, North Somerset Less immersed in classic Somerset landscape Closest to Bristol Airport at 9 km Allergy-free property with in-room fridge and coffee machine
Withy Cottages £ 160 Families, self-catering couples Langport, Somerset Levels No on-site restaurant or bar 4-star self-catering with outdoor fireplace and private entrance Outdoor fireplace and private check-in - full holiday-home setup
Lion Hotel Dulverton £ 79 Exmoor walkers, heritage tourists Dulverton, Exmoor National Park 56 km from Exeter Airport Town-centre Exmoor gateway with exceptional breakfast Rooms with baths - uncommon in Somerset village inns
The George Hotel £ 75 Rail travellers, South Somerset explorers Castle Cary, South Somerset Smaller town - quieter evening scene Walking distance from GWR London Paddington direct station 15th-century building with individually designed en suite rooms
Pilgrims Rest With Annexe £ 167 Groups, families needing multiple bedrooms North Somerset, 17 km from Bristol Airport No on-site catering - fully self-catering only 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - largest capacity in selection Washing machine and outdoor dining area for extended stays

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Castle Cary and Dulverton are the two most versatile bases. Castle Cary has direct rail access from London and sits within 10 km of Glastonbury. Dulverton puts you inside the Exmoor National Park boundary immediately, with the River Barle walkable from the town centre.

  • Lion Hotel Dulverton is the clearest choice - Dulverton is the established southern entry point to Exmoor, and the hotel sits in the town centre with walking routes starting directly from the property. Porlock Weir Hotel covers the coastal Exmoor edge, which suits visitors focused on the coastal path rather than moorland walking.

  • Withy Cottages in Langport and Pilgrims Rest With Annexe are the strongest family options - both provide multiple bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, private parking, and garden space, which reduces daily costs significantly compared to booking multiple hotel rooms. Pilgrims Rest has 3 bedrooms, the largest capacity in this selection.

  • Book at least 8 weeks ahead for July and August. Shoulder season (late April-May and September-October) delivers better rates and trail conditions. Winter stays targeting the Langport murmurations (January-February) can often be booked with shorter notice as visitor numbers drop significantly.

  • The Queens Chew Magna in Chew Magna is 9 km from Bristol Airport - the closest in this selection. The Ring 'O' Bells in Compton Martin follows at 14 km. Both sit on the northern Somerset edge and suit travellers combining a rural stay with a flight connection.

  • For all properties except The George Hotel in Castle Cary, a car is strongly recommended. Castle Cary has its own GWR station with direct London trains. All other properties are in villages where bus services are infrequent or absent, and key attractions require driving.

  • The George Hotel in Castle Cary is the standout on heritage - a 15th-century building with individually designed rooms, working fireplaces in the bar areas, and a wood-panelled restaurant. Pilgrims Rest With Annexe (1930s) and The Porlock Weir Hotel also carry notable period character.

  • The Porlock Weir Hotel is the only beachfront property in this selection, positioned 200 metres from Porlock Beach with sea-view rooms, a restaurant, bar, and room service - removing the need to drive during your stay. It is the benchmark option for a Somerset coastal break.

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