Somerset stretches from the Bristol Channel coast down through the Quantock Hills, Exmoor National Park, and the Vale of Taunton - making your choice of base critically important. Whether you're here for the racecourses, the national park trails, the Jurassic Coast day trips, or the cider country market towns, staying in a centrally located hotel puts you within reach of it all without wasting half your trip on road time. This guide covers 12 centrally positioned hotels across Somerset's key towns and rural hubs, with honest comparisons to help you book the right one for your trip.
What It's Like Staying in Somerset
Somerset is one of England's most varied counties, spanning coastal resorts like Weston-super-Mare, wild moorland inside Exmoor National Park, and Georgian market towns like Taunton and Ilminster. Getting around requires a car for most rural destinations - public transport between villages is limited, and distances across the county can easily reach 50 km or more between key attractions. Wincanton, Chard, and Bridgwater serve as practical road hubs, while towns like Exford and Simonsbath sit deep inside the national park with minimal through traffic but maximum access to trails.
Visitors who want flexibility - combining beach trips, heritage sites like Dunster Castle, and countryside walks - benefit most from staying in a town with good A-road access. Those seeking only a national park experience may find a rural inn on Exmoor more rewarding than driving from the coast each day.
Pros:
- Strong variety of landscapes within around 60 km, from coast to moorland to the Somerset Levels
- Market towns like Taunton and Ilminster offer genuine local food culture and independent pubs without tourist pricing
- Many historic inns and hotels date back centuries, adding architectural character unavailable in purpose-built accommodation
Cons:
- Rural roads between key areas are narrow and slow, making driving times longer than map distances suggest
- Train connectivity is limited to the Taunton corridor - most of Somerset requires a car to explore properly
- Peak summer weekends around Glastonbury Festival and Wincanton Racecourse events can spike accommodation prices sharply
Why Choose a Centrally Located Hotel in Somerset
Centrally positioned hotels in Somerset tend to sit in or near market towns, on main A-roads, or within village centres that give genuine walking access to pubs, restaurants, and local transport links. Unlike remote farm stays or coastal B&Bs, these properties reduce daily driving and offer more flexibility for multi-destination days. Price differences between a rural inn and a central town hotel are often modest - around 20% - but the logistical advantage of being on a main route can save significant time on a short trip. Room sizes in historic coaching inns and Victorian townhouse hotels vary considerably; some feature characterful but compact en-suite rooms, while newer conversions in towns like Taunton offer larger layouts.
Trade-offs do exist: central town hotels can attract local bar trade, meaning Friday and Saturday evenings are noisier than equivalent rural stays. However, the access to nearby dining, parking, and road connections typically outweighs this for most travellers.
Pros:
- Walking access to local restaurants, pubs, and amenities without needing to drive after dinner
- Better road positioning for day trips across the county - especially useful when combining Exmoor, the Quantocks, and coastal destinations
- Many central Somerset hotels include free on-site or adjacent parking, a practical advantage for car-dependent travellers
Cons:
- Historic inn rooms can be smaller and less soundproofed than modern hotel builds
- Bar-focused properties in town centres attract local evening trade, increasing noise on weekends
- Central positioning may sacrifice the immersive countryside atmosphere that many visitors come to Somerset specifically for
Practical Booking & Area Strategy for Somerset
For visitors planning to cover multiple areas, Taunton is the strongest base - it sits on the M5 and mainline rail, putting Exmoor, the Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels, and the Jurassic Coast day trips all within around 60 km. Bridgwater is a practical alternative for those arriving from Bristol and planning to explore the Levels or the north of the county. Wincanton suits travellers focused on the east of Somerset, with Longleat and the Haynes Motor Museum both under 30 minutes by car. For Exmoor specifically, staying inside the national park at a village like Exford or Simonsbath eliminates the need for long daily drives on narrow moorland roads. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for July and August stays, and check racing calendars for Wincanton Racecourse - race days fill local accommodation fast and push prices up significantly in the area.
Key Somerset attractions worth planning around include Glastonbury Tor, Wells Cathedral, Cheddar Gorge, Dunster Castle, and the Exmoor Heritage Coast. The Somerset Levels are best visited in winter for birdwatching, while coastal areas like Minehead and Weston-super-Mare peak in July and August.
Best Value Central Hotels in Somerset
These properties offer reliable central positioning across Somerset's market towns and coastal resort, with strong practical facilities and direct access to local transport, dining, and key road links.
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1. The Corner House Hotel
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 78
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2. The Dolphin Hotel
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 105
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3. The Town Hotel
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 102
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4. Crossways Inn
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
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5. Highlea House
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 108
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6. Ebborways Farm Bed And Breakfast
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 87
Best Mid-Range & Premium Central Hotels in Somerset
These properties combine stronger facilities, on-site dining, distinctive architectural character, and positioning inside Somerset's most atmospheric locations - from Exmoor National Park to the county's historic market towns.
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1. The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 90
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2. The Lordleaze Hotel And Restaurant
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 95
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3. The White Hart Hotel
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 109
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4. Exmoor White Horse Inn
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 235
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5. Simonsbath House
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Best price guarantee
fromUS$ 77
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12. The Congresbury Arms
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 181
Smart Timing & Booking Advice for Somerset Hotels
Somerset's tourist season concentrates heavily in July and August, when coastal towns like Weston-super-Mare and Minehead fill to capacity and Exmoor sees its highest trail traffic. The Glastonbury Festival in late June creates a wider accommodation squeeze across the central county, affecting availability in Taunton, Wells, and surrounding towns - book at least 8 weeks ahead if travelling near this period. Wincanton Racecourse hosts regular National Hunt fixtures from October through May, generating sharp local demand spikes - check the race schedule before booking in east Somerset. Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most favourable combination of price, weather, and trail conditions for Exmoor and the Mendips. A minimum of three nights makes logistical sense for most Somerset trips given the county's geographic spread - one night is rarely sufficient to cover more than a single area. Last-minute deals occasionally appear midweek outside peak season, but for summer weekend stays or event dates, advance booking is the only reliable strategy.
