X Cosy Staycation Spots In Somerset
Holm
South Petherton
Chef and restaurateur Nicholas Balfe was part of the trio that opened Salon in Brixton and Levan in Peckham. Since stepping away, he has moved to the small village of South Petherton to open Holm, a smart restaurant with rooms. It’s housed in a former bank in the centre of the village, with pared-back interiors and a buzzy dining room that’s nearly always full. On arrival, guests are warmly welcomed by Nick and his team. You’ll first notice the open kitchen, which has six seats at the counter if you want to watch the chefs at work. There’s also a 34-cover dining room centred around the bank’s original vault, with a cosy snug for cocktails. To the rear of the building there’s a lovely terrace and wild garden, where you can relax with drinks and nibbles during the warmer months.
As you’d expect from Balfe, the food at Holm is hyper-seasonal, meaning the menu changes often and only showcases the best produce from the surrounding areas – some of which is grown in its kitchen garden. During a recent visit, we enjoyed the set menu, which included hors d'oeuvres of cheese and pickle bites and chicken liver pâté on toast, followed by larger dishes of squash ravioli with basil oil, lamb hogget with caramelised onions and a rich red wine sauce, and peach sgroppino with local Somerset cider. All were delicately balanced and beautifully presented. There’s also the option to choose from the à la carte and weekend menus. On Sundays, dishes include spelt risotto with sage and onion squash; wild sea bass with oyster mushrooms, and Meadowlea Farm sirloin with carrots and Yorkshire puddings; all served with roast potatoes and autumn greens. The cellar is in the original bank vault and is home to a selection of low-intervention wines from small makers around the UK and Europe.
Last year, the team added seven characterful bedrooms above the restaurant. Each one has been decorated with calming tones, natural fabrics and exposed lime plaster walls. Rooms have spacious, bright en-suite bathrooms, while three bedrooms have roll-top baths. For a special stay, book the Elm room (also pet-friendly) which has a grand four-poster bed and lovely views of the village. Beds are supremely comfortable and thoughtful touches include homemade cookies. As well as calming rooms that blend into the village's aesthetic, the team here are the real highlight. Nick is a fantastic host, while his team go the extra mile to make sure everything is taken care of, from booking taxis to nearby Crewkerne station to suggesting walking routes around the village.
Rooms from £140 per night on a B&B basis.
Visit HOLMSOMERSET.CO.UK
Number One Bruton
Bruton
The fashion crowd frequently gathered at the Michelin-starred restaurant Osip, which was once located within Number One Bruton. Now, Osip has found a permanent site just a short drive from its original home, but there are still plenty of reasons to visit Number One. The property comprises a Georgian townhouse, a medieval forge and a row of cottages that have been converted into a 12-bedroom hotel set around a pretty, private courtyard. Restored original features lend character to all the bedrooms, which are decorated in rich colours and vintage furnishings. Cottages and rooms in the forge, which dates back to the 12th century, are equally cosy and characterful, with original stone walls and spacious bathrooms. Best of all, guests are greeted with a selection of local treats, including a truckle of cheddar cheese and crackers, local cider and fruit.
Just a few months ago, chef Sam Lomas opened his debut restaurant at the hotel. Briar is all about farm-to-table cooking and showing off local produce. Guests can enjoy a daily changing blackboard menu of small plates, snacks, sharing dishes and proper puddings alongside an inventive drinks menu. Food is hearty and unpretentious, with dishes like homemade smoked pork sausages with cider mustard, braised shoulder of lamb with butter beans and herbs, and apple cake with butterscotch and clotted cream. Included with overnight stays, breakfast here is a treat – think freshly baked croissants, sourdough bread, soft boiled eggs, local ham, homemade jams, granola and yoghurt.
The hotel is in an excellent location on Bruton’s buzzy high street – visitors will see why the town is dubbed ‘the Notting Hill of the South West’. Within walking distance is the prestigious Hauser & Wirth gallery, numerous independent boutiques, antiques shops and cafés. The Newt is also a short drive away if you want to explore its estate.
Rooms from £160 per night on a B&B basis.
Visit NUMBERONEBRUTON.COM
Pennard Hill Farm
East Pennard
If you want a rustic staycation with all the home comforts of a boutique hotel, Pennard Hill Farm should be on your list. This family run hotel is set on a working farm near Glastonbury and offers numerous accommodation options. During the summer months, guests have the option to stay in a safari tent or tree glamping pod, while its forest cabin Hide and self-catered cottages are great year-round options. The Lamb cottage sleeps two and is perfect for romantic trips with its wood-fired hot tub, while The Golden Fleeces accommodates eight across four bedrooms. All have traditional country interiors and scenic views. They’re also spaced apart for total privacy.
As well as exploring the local area and heading on long country walks, you can book swimming slots at the farm’s indoor heated pool, which is in a converted barn with views of the rolling hills. Local therapist Jo offers a range of beauty treatments, from hot stone massages to lifting facials and lymphatic drainage using Bamford products. If you’re visiting with kids, little ones can visit the farm’s cows and spot wildlife around the estate.
Self-catering facilities are available throughout, though guests will want to reserve an evening to experience one of Pennard Hill’s farm feasts in its dining room, made with produce from suppliers in the local area. Main courses of meat and vegetables are cooked over an open fire, with side dishes like herby potatoes, lemony butter beans with crispy sage and seasonal salads. Dessert could be spiced walnut cake with clotted cream or sticky toffee pudding. In the morning guests are served homemade granola, stewed fruit and yogurt from the nearby Brown Cow Organics, followed by a hot course of henhouse eggs, and bacon and sausages from the farm’s own Mangalitza pigs.
Rooms from £320 per night.
Visit PENNARDHILLFARM.CO.UK
42 Acres
Frome
For a full switch-off in one of the most beautiful rural settings in the West Country, head to 42 Acres in Frome. The regenerative organic farm operates as a nature reserve and retreat centre where guests can pamper themselves and take advantage of the restorative benefits of nature. Founded by siblings Lara and Seth Tabatznik who are passionate about holistic wellness practices, the eco-friendly estate runs on 100% renewable energy and grows its own vegetables. There are over 170 acres of rewilded woodland to explore, and guests are encouraged to make the most by exploring the treehouse on site, helping out in the gardens by picking fruit and veg, and enjoying cold-water dips in the seven-acre lake.
The retreat offers a range of holistic experiences, from yoga and meditation sessions to breathwork and sound healing workshops. Try a ‘Wild Weekend’ staycation to fully immerse yourself into the experience over the course of 48 hours or book in for a three or four-night self-catered stay. Accommodation ranges from the small boat moored on the lake to four-person barns and an 11-person farmhouse complete with a patio and outdoor dining area. All interiors are thoughtfully designed, featuring organic materials, large windows with views of the surrounding landscape, and plenty of cosy corners to unwind.
The kitchen follows a farm-to-table ethos, serving seasonal, plant-based meals made with ingredients grown in the retreat’s biodynamic garden. Meals are nourishing and beautifully presented, offering dishes like roasted squash with tahini and fermented vegetables, or wild nettle soup with sourdough croutons.
From £450 per retreat.
Visit 42ACRES.COM
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