Durslade Farmhouse

Bruton, Bristol, Bath & Somerset, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £500 per night

Durslade Farmhouse

Bruton, Bristol, Bath & Somerset, United Kingdom

One-of-a-kind farmhouse rental in a delightful Somerset town, with huge rooms, arresting art and hearty food next door (sleeps 2-12+)

One-of-a-kind farmhouse rental in a delightful Somerset town, with huge rooms, arresting art and hearty food next door (sleeps 2-12+)

Strike out to the Somerset countryside and you might imagine rolling hills, cosy pubs and villages stuck in time warps. Think again for Durslade Farmhouse: a superbly renovated Grade II-listed 17th-century house complete with modern art installations and situated in the grounds of one of the country's finest contemporary art galleries.

Internationally renowned architects were brought in to guide the ambitious renovation. Walls were stripped bare, pipes exposed and vintage furniture now abounds, but character creaky floorboards and original features remain. The result is gloriously unique. There are six super-spacious double bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms (think retro 70's vibes), and a stunning hand-painted dining room that doubles as a fully immersive art installation.

Next door is Hauser & Wirth gallery with rotating exhibitions and the hugely popular Roth Bar & Grill for hearty food and cocktails. The gardens of the gallery are stunning and the farmhouse also has its own small garden complete with a large outdoor table for summer suppers. Best of all, getting here couldn't be easier - you're just a few minutes away from Bruton train station, and the town's shops, restaurants and rolling fields beyond are an easy stroll away. This is a glorious escape to the countryside - but not as you know it.

Highs

  • A totally unique rental - we have never seen anything like this, and we love it
  • Art enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven with a world-renowned gallery next door (free to enter) and art installations within the farmhouse itself by Pipilotti Rist and Guillermo Kuitca
  • Six spacious ensuite bedrooms - perfect for a large family gathering, or take advantage of reduced rates for couples
  • Well-equipped kitchen, and a great restaurant next door, plus the fabulous Farm Shop opposite, which showcases the best of Somerset's agricultural bounty
  • From meal deliveries and private catering to foraging courses and local spa days, Bella and her team provide a truly personalised service

Lows

  • Being an old building, there are creaky boards and uneven floors, but this is part of the charm
  • All rooms are ensuite but some only have showers, some only baths. Note that there are no twin rooms
  • Though couples benefit from reduced rates, the house could feel too big and empty for comfort
  • A GBP 500 security deposit is required

Best time to go

The farmhouse is particularly stunning in spring and summer when the gardens really come into their own at Hauser & Wirth, while wood-burners and twinkling lights make the house feel wonderfully festive in the run-up to Christmas; this really is a year-round destination.

Our top tips

Make sure to book ahead if you want to dine at Roth Bar & Grill - no matter how big or small your party is, this is a very popular local restaurant and bar, and you are likely to be disappointed if you don't plan ahead.

Great for...

Family
Foodie
Great Outdoors
  • Boutique Farmhouse
  • 6 bedrooms (sleeps 2-12+)
  • Self-catering + restaurant on-site
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
Room:

Rooms

Spread over three floors are six spacious double rooms. On the ground floor, off the magnificent Rist dining room, is the Master bedroom (the largest) with its own spacious bathroom with roll-top bath. The farmhouse kitchen, study, two lounges and private outside terrace are also on the ground floor.

On the first floor are four more bedrooms. The Graffiti room overlooks the road and the dovecote beyond, and is next to the Piplotti Rist room (one of our favourites). Along the corridor is the Brass bedroom, the smallest room with a tall, vintage brass bed and some amazing vintage wallpaper. Adjacent is the vast Paul McCarthy room, complete with a vintage wicker throne chair and a striking blue colour scheme.

On our last visit, we chose to stay in the final bedroom, Niki & Jackie's room, up a narrow flight of stairs and into the eaves. The sloping ceilings limit headroom but the room is so long and spacious it wasn't an issue. We loved how bright it was and the feeling of being hidden away in the attic.

Features include:

  • Board games
  • Hairdryer
  • Toiletries
  • WiFi

Eating

We loved the cosy farmhouse kitchen, complete with a fabulous mish-mash of vintage crockery and glassware juxtaposed with mod cons - a Smeg range, Smeg 50's-style fridges plus Nespresso maker and Le Creuset pots and pans. An irresistible hamper of delicious local produce was left for us on arrival. Basics are also provided, such as eggs, milk, butter, oil, tea and coffee pods for the Nespresso machine.

For more supplies look no further than the Farm Shop across the road. This community-focused space boasts its own in-house butcher and forager, as well as excellent seasonal produce and top-grade meat sourced from the surrounding pastures including Durslade Farm itself, local cheeses, home-made preserves, and bespoke baked goods.

Guests can opt for an in-house chef experience for a very reasonable price, where the chef and front-of-house staff come and prepare, serve and seamlessly clear away a three-course meal. There's also a more casual 2-course meal delivery service, where ingredients/ dishes are prepared and left in the fridge or on the stove with instructions from the chef on how to put it all together. Breakfast and lunch deliveries are also available on request.

So, if you love to cook you can certainly dine in style here, but if you prefer the easy way out then book a table across the way at the very popular Roth Bar & Grill (closed on Mondays), which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We arrived in time for a Sunday roast: Durslade Farm beef striploin and lamb shoulder with all the trimmings, followed by sticky toffee pudding & a cheesebard. Heaven! Alternatively, head into Bruton to one of the other local eateries. There are a couple of village shops and bakeries, including Godminster cheddar here too.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Dinner by arrangement
  • Full kitchen
  • In-house cook
  • Kids' meals
  • Lunch by arrangement
  • Meal delivery service
  • Restaurant
  • Restaurants nearby
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Amble over to Hauser & Wirth to enjoy thrice-yearly changing exhibitions of contemporary artists. There is also a sister gallery in central Bruton exhibiting contemporary craftwork.
  • Stroll around Bruton and pop into the pubs and boutiques along the high street.
  • Put on your walking boots and head out for a hearty hike across the beautiful Somerset countryside.
  • You're not far from Stourhead, one of the most beautiful National Trust properties in the South West, with its renowned gardens.
  • If you want to get a retail fix you could head to nearby Shepton Mallet for the award-winning Kilver Court, featuring Mulberry, Toast and Whistles.

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Museums / galleries
  • Shopping / markets
  • Walking

Kids

Families are very welcome but children do need to be respectful of the antiques and artworks in the house. We'd say it's best for older kids (8+). No single beds or twin rooms. High chairs and cots can be provided - just ask.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

None of the bedrooms have twin beds but there is plenty of room in most to set up a travel cot.

Children's meals:

There's a kids' menu at Roth Bar & Grill, and the chef can provide fussy-eater-friendly dishes for the meal delivery service or in-house chef experience.

Families Should Know:

Durslade Farmhouse is an old building so there's some uneven flooring.

Distances:

  • Airport: 1 hour (Bristol)
  • Shops: 5 minutes
Kid Friendly:

Location

Durslade Farmhouse is set just outside Bruton, on the Hauser & Wirth gallery plot, next door to the main gallery. Bruton is near the Somerset/Wiltshire border in the southwest of England. It's an hour from Bristol, and two hours from London.

By Air:
Fly into Bristol (46km away) or one of the London airports.

By Car:
Bruton has good road links within the South West and is easily accessible from the M3 / A303, M4 & M5. For car hire see our car rental recommendations. Parking is available at the on-site gallery.

By Train:
Bruton rail station is on the Bristol to Weymouth train line and is a five-minute walk from the farmhouse. Alternatively, a direct train service from London stops at nearby Castle Cary and Gillingham stations. It takes approximately 15 minutes by car from Castle Cary / Gillingham to Bruton. A taxi rank is available at the station entrances.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Bristol 46.0 km BRS
  • London Heathrow 160.0 km LHR

Other:

  • Beach 95.0 km
  • Shops 1.0 km
  • Restaurant 1.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
10/10
Service
10/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Durslade Farmhouse

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