Hotel Review: Number One Bruton, England UK

Hotel ReviewUnited Kingdom

Jan 14

Written By Meriel Woolf

The sunshine-yellow front door of Number One Bruton beams brightly on the corner of the street and is a welcoming sign to the very last day of 2022. Once checked into our cosy room we instantly get the bath running before heading out for New Year's Eve. Nestled in southwestern England Number One Bruton can be found in the beautiful area of Somerset which is known for its cheddar and cider production. Only a 2-hour drive from London the town of Bruton has confidently put itself on the map of artists and foodies alike.

**Food + Drinks**

The farm-to-table restaurant Osip can be found on the ground floor of the hotel and offers set menus for lunch and dinner using local produce delivered daily. This means that no two days are alike creating a unique culinary experience where guests put their faith in the kitchen to whip up unique and delicious dishes. Bespoke wine pairings are also available or there is an extensive wine and drinks list. Sadly during our stay, Osip was closed but we were able to enjoy the farm-style breakfast which is served at the restaurant to guests daily.
Breakfast at Number One Bruton is an intimate and relaxed affair offering a continental-style buffet of creamy rice pudding, granola, yoghurt, freshly baked brioche, soft-boiled eggs and juices etc. This might sound simple, but the quality of what is provided is excellent with the rice pudding being absolutely scrumptious. Hot drinks are made to order but predominantly breakfast is self-service.

**Aesthetic + Interiors**

The 12 guestrooms are clustered around a central Georgian townhouse and split into 3 categories which are the Forge, the cottages or the townhouse rooms. The property's bright yellow door is welcoming and distinguishable on the high street with a communal sitting room on the right-hand side complete with a fireplace and comfy armchairs. Within the main house clashes of the Georgian period colours and patterns make up much of the scheme with vivid turquoise and muted golds. Here furniture is predominantly reclaimed and resorted with ornate chandeliers and boldly patterned curtains.
Off the central courtyard, you will find the cottages and the forge area which uses reclaimed timber from the original buildings and more harmonious colour schemes. We stayed in the forge 2 with an in-room bathtub, views over the courtyard and original beams across the centre of the room. Cream walls and light-toned fitted joinery make up the space with bursts of colour from the turquoise bath and buttercup yellow chest of draws adding a playful element.

Colour is key to the interiors of this property with continuous use of turquoise from in-room pieces to external joinery and courtyard furniture creating a sophisticated yet lively tone. Clever colour and pattern clashes makes it feel as though you are staying in the excentric home of a fun and elderly relative. Overall the scheme evokes a homely sense of warmth and comfort while being playful and free-spirited.

Fun Fact: Georgian properties tended to be built using stone and were designed to be perfectly symmetrical. They frequently used roman style columns on either side of the front door to create an impressive entrance to the homes of wealthy families.