🇬🇧 Mendip, United Kingdom
Centurion Hotel
📍 Charlton Ln, Midsomer Norton, Radstock BA3 4BD, UK
Your stay — Centurion Hotel
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The Property — Centurion Hotel
A solidly functional three-star just north of the town centre, the Centurion Hotel offers clean, unpretentious rooms and a reliable pub-style restaurant. Its main selling point is convenience: off the A371, with free parking and easy access to both the Mendip Hills and Wells Cathedral. The lobby feels like a mid-range chain — beige carpets, a reception desk with leaflets for local attractions, a lingering scent of breakfast bacon. Best for road-trippers who need a no-fuss base for exploring Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, not for romantic weekends.
Chronicles of Mendip
Mendip is not a city but a district; the hotel sits near the market town of Wells, England’s smallest city by population. Wells grew around a natural spring (the ‘wells’ namesake) in Roman times, but its civic identity was forged when Bishop Robert of Lewes began building its magnificent cathedral in the 12th century. The Bishop’s Palace and the moat followed, creating a medieval ecclesiastical complex that remains the town’s architectural heart. Today, Wells trades on its cathedral, its annual food festival, and its role as a quiet, affluent base for exploring the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mendip guide →Best months
June and September — warm (18-22°C), long daylight hours, and the summer tourist hordes thin a bit after August peak. June benefits from the Mendip Walking Festival; September still has the food festival.
Peak / festival surge
August — school holidays pack Wells with families visiting Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole. Hotel prices spike 20-30% and parking fills by 10am. The Wells Festival of Food (usually late August) adds crowds and traffic.
Budget shoulder season
May and October — temperatures of 12-17°C, fewer crowds, and rates 15-20% cheaper than July. October brings autumn colours in the Mendips, though expect rain showers.
Weather & packing
Mendip sits on a limestone plateau that funnels Atlantic weather; you can get four seasons in a day. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes — even in June, a sudden downpour is common on the hills.
Live City Briefing — Mendip
- The A371 through Wells has been subject to lane closures for gas main replacement since early 2026; expect delays when heading towards Cheddar. Works are due to finish by late July.
- Wookey Hole Caves opened a new 'Prehistoric Coast' exhibit in spring 2026, adding animatronic dinosaurs to the stalactite tours. Advance booking recommended for summer weekdays.
- The Wells City Council introduced a resident-only parking scheme in the cathedral quarter from April 2026; visitors must use the public car park at Southover, a 10-minute walk from the High Street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Centurion Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room at the back of the hotel, away from the main road — quieter, and often has a view of the Mendip hills, even from a standard double.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the bar or restaurant; these can get noise from late drinkers or early breakfast prep. Also skip rooms next to the lift — you'll hear the mechanism all night.
Best views
Rooms facing the back (often odd-numbered) overlook fields or the hills, avoiding the car park and road noise.
Quietest floors
Top floor is usually quietest — less foot traffic overhead. Choose a room away from the staircase and lift well.
🔊 Noise notes
Thin walls are common in 3-star hotels. Earplugs help, especially if the hotel is near a pub or busy junction. Check if the hotel has double glazing — ask at booking.
Insider tips
1. Book directly with the hotel — often they offer free upgrade or breakfast if you call rather than use a booking site. 2. Request a ground-floor room if you have heavy luggage; these hotels rarely have lifts.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Centurion Hotel
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 is free; after 12:00, £20 per hour until 15:00. Express check-in via app for pre-registered guests.
Free for same-day arrivals and departures. Overnight storage available at £5 per bag per night.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for non-refundable rates; refundable rates require credit card guarantee only. At check-in, a £50 per night incidental hold is placed on your card.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots – they give poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay are widely accepted in shops, pubs, and cafés; it's rare to need cash except at some local markets or small B&Bs.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 10% is appreciated in restaurants for good service; tipping in taxis is optional (round up to the nearest pound); hotel staff don't expect tips beyond maybe a pound for help with luggage.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee or espresso from a cafe costs about £2–2.50.
A pub sandwich or soup with a drink will set you back around £8–10.
A main course at a pub or bistro after 6pm is roughly £12–15.
There's limited street food in the Mendip area; look for fish and chip shops in towns like Wells or Frome for a cheap takeaway.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Lidl are common budget supermarket chains here.
Charity shops and high-street names like M&S or Next in towns like Shepton Mallet are typical for affordable clothes.
The cheapest way around is by bus – a day pass costs around £8–10. From an airport like Bristol, take the Airport Flyer bus to the centre, then connect to local buses or catch a train.
Buy groceries from Lidl or Tesco for picnic lunches. Use a railcard (if eligible) for discounted train travel. Visit free attractions like Cheddar Gorge walking paths or the Mendip Hills for cheap days out.
Good to know — Mendip
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
MendipWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mendip, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Centurion Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bristol Airport (BRS) → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 Book with a local firm like Mendip Cars or Radstock Taxis in advance, not through random airport desks—price is fixed and drivers know the hotel's rear entrance off the A37.
Bristol Bus Station (Bond Street) → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 The 376 runs via Chew Magna—scenic but slow. Get off at 'Centurion Inn' stop; it's directly opposite the hotel. A Somerset bus pass works if you're staying multiple days.
Bristol Airport, Bus Stop A → Centurion Hotel, Mendip
💡 Take the Flyer bus to Bristol Temple Meads, then the X34 towards Street. Ask the driver for 'Centurion'—they stop right outside. Buy a round-trip with the driver to save 50p.
Bristol Temple Meads → Frome Station
💡 From Frome station, it's a £10–12 taxi ride to the hotel. The 10:17 to Frome avoids peak crowds. Check for advance singles on GWR app—they drop to £4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Centurion Hotel?
Ask for a room at the back of the hotel, away from the main road — quieter, and often has a view of the Mendip hills, even from a standard double.
Which rooms should I avoid at Centurion Hotel?
Avoid rooms directly above the bar or restaurant; these can get noise from late drinkers or early breakfast prep. Also skip rooms next to the lift — you'll hear the mechanism all night.
Is Centurion Hotel noisy?
Thin walls are common in 3-star hotels. Earplugs help, especially if the hotel is near a pub or busy junction. Check if the hotel has double glazing — ask at booking.
Which rooms have the best views at Centurion Hotel?
Rooms facing the back (often odd-numbered) overlook fields or the hills, avoiding the car park and road noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Centurion Hotel?
1. Book directly with the hotel — often they offer free upgrade or breakfast if you call rather than use a booking site. 2. Request a ground-floor room if you have heavy luggage; these hotels rarely have lifts.
What time is check-in at Centurion Hotel?
Check-in at Centurion Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Centurion Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Centurion Hotel?
A pub sandwich or soup with a drink will set you back around £8–10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Centurion Hotel?
The cheapest way around is by bus – a day pass costs around £8–10. From an airport like Bristol, take the Airport Flyer bus to the centre, then connect to local buses or catch a train.
When is the best time to visit Mendip?
June and September — warm (18-22°C), long daylight hours, and the summer tourist hordes thin a bit after August peak. June benefits from the Mendip Walking Festival; September still has the food festival.
Top Attractions in Mendip
💡 Head to the Chapter House at 11am for the free guided tour—it covers the cathedral’s history without fluff. Leave a donation in the box by the entrance.
💡 Visit after rain—the waterfall really flows then. The path can get muddy, so wear proper boots or wellies. No café on site, so bring a flask of tea.
💡 Park in the village pay-and-display and walk up Cliff Road to avoid the main car park fees. The walk up to the Lookout Tower is steep but worth it.
💡 Start at the Black Rock car park (free) off the A371. The loop trail to the top takes about 1.5 hours. No facilities, so pack food and water. The wind can be fierce—bring a jacket even in summer.
💡 The ticket lasts all day, so you can pop in between other sights. The fossil collection is surprisingly good. Check their website for free entry on certain Heritage Open Days in September.