Welcome to the Castle Hotel at Taunton. This historic Norman fortress has witnessed over 9…read morecenturies of turbulent history. In 1685 the Duke of Monmouth's officers gathered here on the eve of the Battle of Sedgemoor, where they were defeated by the forces of King James II. The infamous Judge Jeffries held his Bloody Assize in the Great Hall of the castle shortly afterwards. Over 200 rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion were tried, convicted and then hanged, drawn and quartered. A further 800 were transported to the West Indies to work on the sugar plantations. The building we see today is a Grade II listed, 18th century reconstruction of the original Norman castle, but does incorporate the original east gate, Castle Bow, which boasts 13th century features.

Where to begin! Staying here was a highlight of my recent, and first trip to England. I was coming…read moreto do some family history work at the archives in Taunton, as well as visit Glastonbury Tor. When I read this was an actual castle with medieval beginnings, I was immediately drawn in. Then I visited their website and read a few reviews and I booked it! It's a unique experience to say the least. Coming through the front, revolving door had an old world charm that was very welcoming (even though I snagged my luggage). The front desk staff were all super friendly, accommodating, and professional. The room was huge! I don't know how I ended up with a suite but I certainly did not book it nor pay extra so, the only conclusion is they upgraded me because it was available? No matter, I was in awe! I cannot recommend this place enough, it's a castle! Unforgettable.

I love this travelodge as it holds sentimental memories for me. The actual hotel is a simple…read moretravelodge, yet I think that the service and the rooms are better than most other branches. The staff are really helpful and go the extra mile for you if you request extra pillows etc The security is really good on the doors as the hotel is based inside the service station itself. It is very cheap for a good quality travelodge.

Basic rooms, as promised, but veryu clean. Staff were very helpful and a credit to Travelodge.read more

The Carvery is amazing - the beef is cooked to perfection. Staff are professional. the Bar is cosy…read more I have only had food from the a la carte once and that was equally as good. There is a Side restaurant at the back called Le Roche which does black rock steak where it comes out on a hot rock so you can cook your steak to your own liking - a novelty but fun. I find the Arms good for large groups there are 17 of us there next weekend for a carvery for a birthday meal.

My recent stay in Taunton was bittersweet, as I was in town for my brother's funeral. Having booked…read moreweeks in advance, my only request was for a quiet room. Unfortunately, I was assigned a room overlooking the parking lot dumpsters with a non-functional heater. Despite reporting the cold radiator, the staff simply told me to turn the dial up--which I had already done to no avail. The dining experience was also a letdown. While the presentation was an attempt at "Michelin-style," the £10 mullet portion was tiny and swimming in excessive herb oil, which was difficult to stomach after a long day of travel. On a positive note, the breakfasts were good, the location is convenient, and it served as a helpful meeting point for my family. If you stay here, I recommend double-checking that any special requests are actually communicated to the staff.

Lovely hotel with accommodating staff. After a long day of travel from Lodnon it was a short 5…read moreminute cab ride from the train station. It had a huge bath to decompress after the long day of travel. The attached pub was great with a good selection and a relaxing patio. The included breakfast was very good and checkout was very easy.

On our many trips out of Essex we always have an overnight break in, normally, a Premier Inn. This…read moretime, on our way down to Kernow, we chose Glastonbury. What a fantastic choice it was. Reception was swift and Covid-19 aware. A pleasant surprise was an upgrade to their Premier Plus room. Wow, quite a difference. Larger room, extras such as arm chair, ironing board and iron, extra pillows, good coffee machine as well as tea making facilities, nice toiletries, faster wi-fi available etc etc. A really enjoyable, quiet, overnight stay. TIP. Buy their meal offer when booking. Great breakfast and a nice evening meal at, I believe, about 25% discount.

Might possible be the best Premier Inn across the UK. Newly opened, it is modern, clean, bright…read more Rooms are well I sugared from sound for a good nights sleep. Beds are very comfy. Not sinking soft, and not too hard either. Water pressure in the shower was great and water was hot instantly. All rooms have air conditioning too. Checkin service was very friendly and quick. What more would you want from a Premier Inn?

Great village pub (yes it's my local). Beer is reasonable price and is well kept, usually a few…read morelocal beers and 1 from further afield. Rest of selection is also good so no one should feel short changed. Food is good too, nothing mind blowing but good and well priced meals. The Sunday carvery is very good and well priced. All in all everything you would like in your local pub.

Would thoroughly recommend this as a venue for a wedding reception. The staff are friendly,…read morethorough and determined to make the day special for you. The food was fantastic and the room has space for a band at one end. They will also provide someone to introduce the speeches. Unlike most places, the room is included free if you have a sit down meal and the bride and groom also get a free bedroom for the night.

We've eaten here, twice, but never stayed as guests so this review will major on food and related…read moreservices. On both occassions the food we had was excellent. Combe House Hotel is rated (in 2009) by both Sawday's guide, The Michelin Guide and now Qype! Two years ago we went for a birthday lunch. We all had fish which was exquisite; fresh or smoked, crustacean or battered, raw or steamed - the results were flawless and the combinations of flavours and textures superb. Presentation was also a real 'wow'. More recently (New Year's Eve lunch - 31/12/2009) we were there for lunch again. We noted that the hotel had changed hands since we were last there. Service was polished as ever. We were shown to the bar, coats taken and hung up and a fire lit to make us welcome and warm. I opted for a whisky (Talisker) to start whilst others opted for Abbot Ale, a local bitter (light amber in tone and toasty in flavour). Our food orders were taken after due consideration of the menu (there were 6 starters, 6 mains and 6 desserts to choose from). I chose the sirloin steak, medium rare (a test for any competent chef). Two chose a salmon ciabatta, whilst two others opted for the meat platter (venison and boar salami, parma ham and a venison pate), the final member of our party opted for the seafood platter sans crustacea. The order was graciously taken. The order for a seafood platter without shellfish was, after due consultation with the person ordering it, bumped up to include more smoked mackerel than it might ordinarily have had by way of compensation. A nice touch. We were left to bask before the fire for a while and mingle with other guests who were staying at the hotel (none of whom had a bad word to say I might add). The arrival of our food was presaged by our being shown to our table. We had a large dining room with a long table and a 'retreating' area for coffee amply provided for with three plump sofas. The food was ushered in with minimal fuss but maximum effect. I've bever seen lettuce shaped quite like that! The flavours were excellent - my steak was moist and juicy but soft, as it should be! The chips were chunky and freshly cooked hunks of real potato, not refried and ready made chips. Salad was plentiful, fresh and dressed with a light mustard dressing. The salad was a key part of the meal not just a garnish. The meat platters were equally praised, with many 'mmmms' and 'aaaaahs'. The salmon ciabatta too was highly praised for it's quality. The sefood platter initially drew no comment; total silence whilst being consumed. Upon completion the verdict pronounced was a well satisfied 'excellent'. The dessserts were lovely, banana parfait and creme brulee. Each done to a tee and served with a delicious home-made vanilla ice cream (if you can't make good ice cream from the plentiful Somerset dairy herds' milk you're in trouble). It's always said that the mark of a good establishment is knowing what it does well and focusing on that rather than having a menu of 40 dishes done poorly. Combe House Hotel served us very well and proved that adage true. Access to all the main areas is on one floor with ramped access to the bar. The hotel is a long, trailing amalgam of buildings of many ages from the 16th through to 20th centuries and clings to a descending, wooded valley (or Combe) in the Quantock hills. There is some excellent walking country about these parts, Combe House Hotel would make for an excellent starting or finishing point. The guests we spoke too lauded the rooms and service (though we didn't stay, hence the focus on food which we did eat). Other services like loos, lounges and gardens were faultless.

I have stayed here several times with my parents as a stop off between Cornwall and Chester. The…read morequality of food is very good-which is just as well, as there's not much else within walking distance. The beds are always really comfortable and rooms warm. Noise does vary from room to room. I have found the decor very pleasing too, even in the single bed rooms. However, on this occasion, as there was a wedding on and the hotel full, my room wasn't as great-the enamel/coating of the bath has come away and I was afraid if I ran a bath it would leak through to my parents room below! I would suggest that if it doesn't matter when you go, check to see how busy it is, as most rooms are lovely, but if this had been my first visit I wouldn't have been that happy.

Anyone travelling on the A38 between Taunton and Exeter, or on the M5 which is close by, and…read morelooking for a place to stop would be well advised to call in at 'The Poachers Pocket'. This is a really good pub which also has good food and doubles as a small hotel. The beer, food and rooms are all excellent; the landlord and staff are welcoming and the locals friendly. Having stayed there yesterday, I can also vouch for the quality, variety and quantity of the breakfast which was a great starter for the day. There's only very quiet background music and a small television in the bar, but there is free Wi-Fi for those who need it. Residents have access to a small but comfortable lounge if they wish to relax outside of both their rooms and the bar. There's plenty of parking, both in front and at the rear of the pub via an archway, and a small patio and grassy area at the rear. There's a website at http://www.poacherspocket.co.uk for those who are interested in investigating further or arranging a visit. I'll certainly be going back.