A chapel hotel that’s th eanswer to my prayers
CELEBRITIES are making a beeline for Bruton. And even on a wet weekend in sober January, I can see why.
The town, one of England’s smallest, is laid out by the River Brue in Somerset. It looks like another sleepy village but it’s bang on trend.
The new, contemporary art gallery, Hauser and Wirth, at Durslade Farm, is within easy walking distance of the centre and there’s a beautifully designed hotel, At The Chapel, glowing invitingly on the High Street.
According to one local, two of the Corrs have moved to Bruton, joining Rhys Ifans, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh and TV presenter Kevin McCloud. What do Bruton folk make of it all? The table next to us in the fire-lit pub, The Bull, at nearby Hardway, are chatting about the current exhibition at Hauser and Wirth — a selection of arresting black- and- white images by war photographer Don McCullin.
At The Chapel’s restaurant buzzes with families celebrating birthdays and couples downing prosecco. It’s the same story at the Roth Bar and Grill, which adjoins the gallery.
One shop owner, though, laments that Londoners, especially the well-heeled variety, always try to drive down prices.
Another local says in a kindly way that the work at Hauser is ‘challenging’. True. But the setting is worth the trip, with the art in converted barns and a landscaped field, which must be lovely in spring. There’s more traditional architecture, too. The church was noted by Nikolaus Pevsner in his Buildings Of England as one of the proudest in the county.
The Alms House and chapel, built in 1638, is a haven. We had hoped to see nearby Stourhead, but it’s just too wet.
As it turns out, the bad weather is a blessing. At The Chapel is a wonderful place to slump. You can almost do lengths in the bath and fresh croissants arrive at the door each morning.
As the name implies, it’s a converted chapel and the original windows lend the restaurant an austere feel. Spiralised courgette is on the menu, but so is pizza from the wood-fired oven. Heaven.
TRAVEL FACTS
ROOMS At The Chapel start from £125 , ( atthechapel.co.uk, 01749 814 070)