Good Hotel Guide Review
Perfectly placed to explore the Arcadian landscape of Stourhead, this rustic-chic country pub in a small village on the Duchy of Somerset's estate was relaunched in 2021. It is part-owned by James Thurstan Waterworth, former European design director for Soho House, and ‘you can see his touch and his great eye for detail everywhere in the clubby interiors’, say our inspectors. Striking modern artworks adorn Farrow-and-Balled walls; bright rugs and kilims enliven floorboards. Each bedroom is unique, and here ‘Waterworth’s touch is obvious too’. Of those in the pub, ‘one has a cute cabin-style bed (only for couples who don’t mind clambering over each other) and a freestanding bath. Another has pretty, floral Hamilton Weston wallpaper.' There are a further five somewhat larger rooms in the ‘coach house’ (or former skittles alley) next door. ‘The small garden has been as carefully looked after as the interiors.’ The food is more sophisticated than the usual pub fare, with produce from the community allotment, in dishes such as whole plaice with burnt butter, capers and pangrattato. But for all the style cred, ‘it’s the kind of place locals feel happy to drop in just for a drink’.
Hotel details
Address
Church Street
Maiden Bradley
Warminster
Wiltshire
BA12 7HW
England
Telephone
01985 801018
Bedrooms
12. 5 in coach house.
Open
all year, closed Mon, 25/26 Dec, restaurant open pm-only Tues.
Facilities
bar, library/snug, dining room, function room, skittle alley, in-room smart TV, garden, main restaurant, bar wheelchair accessible.
Background music
ambient, in pub, dining room.
Children
all ages welcomed, under-16s accompanied by adult, free cots, small charge for extra bed.
Dogs
allowed in annexe rooms by arrangement (bowls, treats, possible small charge for cleaning), pub, garden, not in dining room.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £150 (incl. continental breakfast). Cooked breakfast from £11. Set menu £25-£35. À la carte £45. 1-night bookings usually refused at weekends, but check for availability.