Guests say
Castle House in Taunton is a highly praised holiday rental, celebrated for its unique charm, historical significance, and central location. Guests consistently commend its cleanliness, spaciousness, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The property's quirkiness and character add to the experience, with modern conveniences complementing its ancient features. While some minor issues are noted, the overall sentiment is one of enchantment and a desire to return.
Guests consistently report that Castle House is spotlessly clean, with several reviews highlighting the property's exceptional cleanliness. The high level of maintenance in terms of tidiness is frequently mentioned, contributing to a very high score in this category.
The location of Castle House is highly praised for being central and convenient, with easy access to local amenities, restaurants, and attractions. The proximity to the town centre and the availability of nearby walks along the river are appreciated by guests, leading to a high score for location.
Comfort is well-regarded, with guests finding the furniture comfortable and the beds cosy. The property is described as warm and welcoming, although a few guests mention that additional showers would enhance comfort for larger groups. Overall, the comfort level is rated highly.
Facilities at Castle House are generally well-received, with a well-equipped kitchen and good quality towels and linens. However, some guests mention issues with WiFi connectivity and a desire for additional showers, which slightly lowers the score in this category.
While the reviews reflect a positive experience, there is no specific mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, this category cannot be scored, and guests should not expect gifts as part of their stay.
About this property
Castle House, part of a 12th century castle, has a long and varied history. The medieval building has played host to judges and royal courts, and later to school boarders and museum curators. Now in the grounds of the Museum of Somerset, it is a unique opportunity to stay in the historic Taunton Castle. With views over the castle courtyard and the ruined castle keep, now transformed into the Castle Hotel’s beautiful Keep Garden, you can achieve an insight into the medieval world that once occupied this place. The ground level entrance is situated on the side of the property facing the Castle Hotel for 24-hour access. Once inside, a flight of stairs takes you to an upstairs hall, off which the ‘Tudor Room’ is located, the property’s feature sitting-room. This floor also contains a luxury double bedroom and single bedroom, a large shower room and an elegant dining room which leads through to the kitchen. Complete with all modern conveniences, the kitchen is spacious and light with wide views onto the Keep Gardens. If you don’t want to eat-in, why not pop across to one of the Castle Hotel’s restaurants? You can also have the Castle Hotel deliver lunch to you on request. Follow another flight of stairs up to the third storey of Castle House and you will find a large bathroom with a stand-alone bath, a twin single and the master bedroom complete with a four-poster bed. Once unpacked, if you want to learn more about the local area why not head over to the Museum of Somerset? There you can explore the county’s rich history, partake in one of the museum’s many events or just take in the atmosphere with a coffee in the castle courtyard. You can also enjoy free entry to special family events and arrange a private guided tour of Castle House and it’s connecting tower! (Please contact the museum for further details.)
As the county town of Somerset, Taunton town centre contains many other local attractions including the Somerset County Cricket Ground, the Brewhouse (with its arthouse cinema, theatre and gallery), Taunton Farmer’s Market, Vivary Park and Taunton’s grandest church, St Mary Magdalene. Taunton is surrounded by the Quantock and Blackdown Hills. Both are listed as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and contain a range of stunning walks for ramblers of all experiences. You can also find Hestercombe Gardens just outside the Taunton town centre and the Willow and Wetlands Centre is a short drive away on the Levels.
If you would like to explore further afield, Glastonbury, Wells and Cheddar Gorge are an hour’s drive away, or for those who fancy a coastal view you can explore the seaside at Minehead or go fossil-hunting on Kilve beach. With Castle House only a fifteen-minute drive from the M5, the surrounding areas of Bristol and Exeter are within easy reach to provide a day out everyone will enjoy.
Taunton offers wonderful amenities with the Orchard Shopping Centre and plenty of other places to shop and eat. As well as this, Taunton boasts a choice of museums and parks, one of which has held the Taunton Flower Show for over 150 years. For your outdoor enthusiasts, the Quantock and Blackdown Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are easily accessible, as well as the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks slightly further afield. If a day by the sea is what you're after, the coast is around 20 miles away.
Accommodation
All first and second floor.
Four bedrooms: 1 x second floor four poster bed, 1 x first floor double, 1 x second floor twin, 1 x first floor single.
Second floor bathroom with roll-top bath, basin and WC.
First floor shower room with shower, basin and WC.
Separate WC.
First floor Kitchen.
First floor Dining room.First floor sitting room.
Gas central heating.
Oven and gas hob, fridge, freezer, washer/dryer dishwasher, TV with DVD, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs.
Fuel, power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair.
Off road parking for 1 car.
Enclosed outdoor area with furniture.
Sorry, no smoking.
Choice of restaurants, shops and pubs in the town a few steps away.
Note: Parking is provided for 1 vehicle in the adjoining hotel's car park.
Any additional vehicles can be parked in nearby council car parks (charges vary) or by paying an additional £10 per extra vehicle per night directly to the Castle Hotel on arrival.
Note: There may be some noise during the evening due to the properties town centre location.
Note: This property is over first and second floors.
Note: There are uneven floors and stairs due to the historic nature of the property
Nearby points of interest
- Hestercombe Gardens
- Torre Cider Farm
Reviews (31)
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Rosamunde
Friday and Saturday night were very noisy due to the pub/bar opposite. There was also local events on which made it busy and with that comes a load of noise. Great location for shopping and Taunton has a great selection of shops and big supermarkets just a five minute walk away. My husband and I slept in the room at the top of the accommodation that has the four poster bed, sadly I was woken several times every night to a vibrating noise which I think must have been a boiler or something above us. The accommodation was lovely and quirky with its uneven floors and wonky doors and well equipped, a slight lack of cuttlery but we made it work. The shower needs maintenance as it smelt as does the dishwasher, we also found some dirty pieces of crockery too. Parking, when leaving the car park you need to get an exit pass from the hotel, this wasnât made clear until we stayed at Castle House, youâll have to go into hotel reception every time you want to exit the car park which can become tedious but the hotel staff are very helpful and friendly. One final thing, quite a few groups of teenagers hanging around outside at night and within the grounds that the kitchen backs out onto, we had stones thrown at the windows one night. I have given an honest review here, we did enjoy our stay even though I have highlighted a few things, would I return?.. probably not. Last thing⦠visit the Museum of Somerset, a really interesting museum with lots to see and itâs right on the doorstep, staff are also really friendly and knowledgeable about the local area.
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Andrew
We loved playing games in the grand sitting room and that one comfy armchair in a window alcove was just the perfect place for reading about the history of Castle House, with the early morning sun streaming in. Small details such as the blankets on armchairs, plenty of local history books to read, thick insulating curtains and the very well fitted out kitchen were nice touches. It was a shame not to be able to sit in front of a roaring fire but the whole apartment was warm and cosy. Not everyone liked the lack of blinds on the enormous picture windows in the kitchen but they had the classic Taunton views of church towers and Cricket ground lights and the Castle Hotel next door. It definitely felt like the centre of town, with late night nightclub noise, although this was not so intrusive as to disrupt sleep and the whole of the centre of town is within a ten minute walk. We have already recommended Castle House to friends.
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Doreen
Location location in the centre of Taunton for walking to shops, restaurants & bars is so convenient at Christmas. Beds are comfy, the house is warm & full of history & character, & exceptionally well equipped. Highly recommended.