A cultural hub with a blossoming food and art scene, the historic town of Bruton beckons for a soulful sojourn in Somerset, replete with inspiring days out and nights fringed by epicurean eats at Michelin-starred restaurants. Rolling countryside surrounds the honey-dipped town, inviting you to explore the county’s patchwork interior at your own pace, while beautiful gardens and ancient sites promise a fascinating glimpse into the area’s past.
Whether you seek a food-fuelled reverie in the heart of Somerset or leisurely hours spent marvelling at modern works of art, Bruton and its spellbinding sights and sites offer an enchanting sojourn full of wonder, history, and inspiration.
History
Named after the river that flows past the town, Bruton (or Briuuetone, meaning vigorously flowing river) boasts fascinating roots in the silk industry, crafting a rich tapestry woven with ancient monuments and folk songs. Much of the town’s ever-evolving narrative can be unravelled in the local museum, which houses pieces from the Jurassic period to the town’s more recent inhabitants, including American author John Steinbeck.
Alongside the beautiful 17th-Century houses that line the streets, Bruton is also home to Iron Age barrows and Medieval fortresses, which cling to the undulating hills that surround the town. Whether your interests lie in ancient or recent history, a tour around Bruton and the surrounding countryside rewards you with a wealth of knowledge to deepen your love and appreciation of the area.
Places to eat
Osip
A farm-to-fork favourite that sits in an enchanting rural locale at the foot of a pine-scented forest, Osip is a Michelin-starred restaurant that steals the hearts of all who dine here. Residing in a gorgeous country inn, Osip invites you to taste your way through a menu crafted for special moments shared with loved ones. The dishes change with the seasons, allowing you to return again and again to experience something entirely new and utterly delectable. From hedgerow tea and celeriac soup to wild game garnished with fresh vegetables, local ingredients make up the soul of this adored restaurant. After your meal, sit by the fire with a drink in hand and sink into a heady post-dinner repose unlike any other.
Briar
Another of Bruton’s restaurants to feature in the Michelin guide, Briar offers the warmest of welcomes from the moment you step into the terracotta-hued restaurant. Set within an old ironmonger’s shop and a part of Number One Bruton, history permeates the stone walls, while the ever-changing menu celebrates the West Country’s rich natural larder. Many of the ingredients are grown in the restaurant’s small kitchen garden, with local farms lending homegrown and reared additions to the heavenly dishes. Whether you seek to share small plates or a heartier affair replete with scrumptious desserts and delicious digestifs, Briar promises a wholesome experience that perfectly encapsulates life in Somerset.
At The Chapel
A former chapel, silk house, and recording studio, At The Chapel has lived many lives before becoming the beautiful restaurant we adore today. Inside, the double-height space has been artistically converted into a stylish restaurant with galleried seating above. Outside, a sun-lit terrace invites you to dine with the hound by your side, as the jasmine-scented air instils complete and utter relaxation. Begin your day with a ravishing breakfast, stop by the bakery for a fresh loaf straight from the oven, or take refuge in the sleek dining room as you sup on a medley of small and large plates, from Somerset buratta to mouthwatering burgers topped with local cheese and cider and onion jam. On Sundays, the menu expands to include traditional favourites, including celeriac and chestnut roasts and stuffed pork belly with apple sauce, while wood-fired sourdough pizzas are available to eat in or takeaway throughout the week, perfect for enjoying back at your luxury retreat.
Matt’s Kitchen
For those seeking a relaxed and oh-so-unique dining experience in Bruton, Matt’s Kitchen is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Serving a set, five-course menu on Fridays and Saturdays, the informal restaurant invites you to settle in for an evening of creative dishes crafted and cooked to perfection. The kitchen might be small, but the flavours are bold and make full use of Somerset’s rural palate. With the South West home to many award-winning wines, the restaurant’s bring-your-own-bottle policy offers the chance to try your own fabled pairings, whether you opt for a deep, satisfying red or a bright and bubbly sparkling wine to turn the evening into a true celebration. The menus change each month, and tables book quickly, so make sure to reserve your table in advance; Bruton’s hidden gem isn’t to be missed.
The Old Pharmacy
A bewitching combination of bistro, wine bar, and grocery store, The Old Pharmacy is the place to go when exploring Bruton, whether you seek a relaxed lunch or a tasty supper to take home. The bistro borrows flavours from around the world, from Somerset’s rolling hills to France and Italy’s rural idylls. Dine on roast carrots and sobrasada to start, tagliatelle with white crab and tomato for your main, and chocolate ganache with rhubarb and cocoa nibs to finish, or stop by for lunch and sup on a variety of small plates and filled buns. The wine bar plays host to a superb selection of wines, while the farm shop invites you to take some bottles of organic wine with you; best enjoyed at the end of a memorable day exploring all Bruton has to offer.
Attractions
Bruton Dovecote
Perched atop a lofty hill, Bruton Dovecote is a quietly magnificent historic site that decorates the skyline of this idyllic town. Made from local limestone, the Grade II* listed tower is thought to have connections with Bruton Abbey, before its conversion to house pigeons and doves in the late 18th Century. Inside, the remains of a fireplace hint at the tower’s original use, with an old sketch showing a chimney, although no one knows for sure what the structure’s original purpose was. Now managed by the National Trust, the dovecote is a fascinating place to visit, with spellbinding views across the surrounding countryside and town.
Stourhead
For those seeking a peaceful day out when staying in Bruton, the landscaped gardens at Stourhead are the perfect place to bask in the beauty of nature and classical architecture. A mirror-topped lake sits in the centre of the curated grounds, reflecting shimmering temples and exotic trees that paint the water in rippling colours in the spring and summer months. Follow the many trails that wind through the picturesque grounds, slowly making your way to the Palladian house, which sits amongst pristine lawns perfect for picnicking. Delving further afield, over 2,500 acres of countryside, ancient woodland, and Iron Age sites await, crafting a serene backdrop to your walk. Alfred’s Tower, a 160-ft folly, is one of the area’s most beloved historic sites, and beckons to historians and walkers alike.
Hauser & Wirth Somerset
From derelict farmstead to vibrant arts centre, Hauser & Wirth Somerset has been Bruton’s beating cultural heart for over a decade, calling to creatives from around the world to share, inspire, and connect in the sprawling grounds of Durslade Farm. Over the years, Hauser & Wirth has hosted over 50 artists in residence, over 250 artists to feature in solo and joint exhibitions, and thousands of eager visitors ready to delve into the myriad of learning events that take place throughout the year. Designed by renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, the gardens are a breathtaking extension of the exhibition spaces, hosting a series of incredible sculptures that add a burst of creativity to the setting. Catering to all the senses, Durslade Farm is also home to several popular eateries. Roth Bar is famed for its vibrant and eclectic setting, while Da Costa promises a quintessential dining experience. The welcoming farm shop radiates the same community spirit, with local farmers, growers, and makers filling the shelves with a variety of West Country delights.
Montacute House
If Stourhead calls to the green-fingered, Montacute was built for those who marvel at art crafted in stone. The Elizabethan Renaissance house is a grand celebration of architecture and design, from the golden ham stone exteriors to the stately interiors that boast showmanship at every wood-carved turn. Art is a special draw at Montacute House, with an inspiring mix of paintings, tapestries, and sculptures adorning the historic halls and rooms. Outside, rolling gardens frame the palatial home with vibrant borders and perfectly pruned hedges, which eventually blend into parkland replete with sweet-scented orchards and ancient trees. The Courtyard Café welcomes all for a light bite while exploring the grounds, and the on-site shop is just the place to pick up some local trinkets and potted plants to add to your own flourishing displays.
Nunney Castle
Rising high above the chocolate-box village of Nunney near Bruton, Nunney Castle offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, demonstrating the rare and intriguing four-lobed design and ringed by a glass-topped moat. The time-worn castle hides an intriguing history behind its now-derelict walls, starting with its curious inception. A knight, Sir John de la Mare, built the castle when he returned from fighting, having garnered royal favour. In celebration of his newfound power and position, he commissioned a castle to demonstrate his growing ideals. While still offering a winsome display of grandeur, picturing the castle in its heyday is an inspiring affair, from the courtyard that surrounded the towering walls to the conical roof that capped off this impressive fort. Although the castle fell into ruin after an attack in the Civil War, it is now kept by English Heritage, ensuring its links to history are kept alive.
Things to do
Bruton High Street
For those seeking some retail therapy, Bruton’s caramel-hued high street is adorned with a medley of inviting shops to peruse. Independent boutiques, welcoming farm shops, and shops sporting all manner of curios ensure your stay in Bruton is remembered through cherished memories and mementoes. The Flower Shop is home to a potpourri of sweet-scented bouquets and dried arrangements, while The Godminster Shop boasts a moreish collection of local cheeses and accoutrements - who can say no to a crumbly cheddar paired with a salty cracker and oh-so-sweet chutney? And when you’ve explored every cosy corner of this idyllic town, the market town of Castle Carey is just a stone’s throw away, and promises a mélange of local shops and emporiums.
Wraxall Vineyard
Nestled in the rolling landscapes close to Bruton, Wraxall Vineyard affords some of the best views in the area, which are best savoured with a glass of one of their award-winning wines in hand. Planted over half a century ago, this esteemed Somerset vineyard produces a variety of wines to indulge in, from a bright sparkling rosé to the peach-dipped delights of the Bacchus Reserve. Tours offer the chance to delve deeper behind the vine-wrapped scenes, while the restaurant promises sprawling views and a delicious lunch. For a more intimate experience, The Nook can be booked for private celebrations for eight to 20 people. Taste and discuss fine wines over a grazing board or open fire cooking experience, while basking in the rural idylls that wrap around you in a sun-kissed embrace.
Cranborne Chase National Landscape
With walking boots laced and picnic piled high with tart cheddars and perhaps a bottle of sparkling wine, there’s no better time to explore the expansive scenes that roll across the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. Spanning Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, and Hampshire, this former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the pinnacle of rural charm. A rambling mix of chalk grassland, ancient woodland, and river-carved valleys makes for a mesmerising backdrop to your walk, bike ride, or horse ride. And when the sun sets, and the moon and stars take their place, discover one of the top International Dark Skies Reserves as you gaze across the galaxy-flecked canvas above.
The Newt in Somerset
If you seek to reconnect with nature while soaking up carefully curated sights, The Newt in Somerset is a wonderland of little luxuries to be enjoyed at your own pace. Artfully styled and lovingly kept gardens wrap around the serene Georgian estate, shining a honey-dipped light on traditional practices and the joys of homegrown delights. Honey, cyder, and freshly picked vegetables sit at the heart of the restaurants and cafés here, inviting you to taste the seasons in perfect harmony, whether you are looking for a light lunch or a decadent picnic in the grounds. A series of events and workshops fills the annual calendar with creative pursuits, from gardening courses to yoga, while the onsite spa evokes deep relaxation and soulful restoration from the moment you step through the door.
Feeling inspired for dreamy adventures? Discover our collection of luxury cottages in Bruton.
