Your stay — The Barn
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The Property — The Barn
The Barn is a converted 17th-century stone barn with low ceilings, exposed beams and a wood-burner in the lounge. It sits on a working farm just outside the village of Draycott, so you get proper countryside quiet but can be in Cheddar Gorge in ten minutes. The vibe is no-fuss, dog-friendly and geared for walkers or anyone who wants a decent bed, a hot breakfast and a pint at the nearby pub. The lobby is basically the boot-room corner of the breakfast area – expect muddy boots, OS maps on a shelf and a friendly local behind the reception desk.
Chronicles of Mendip
Mendip is a district, not a single city; its administrative centre is Shepton Mallet, a market town founded in Saxon times. The area boomed from the 17th century with lead and coal mining, then later from limestone quarrying that supplied stone for many of Bath’s Georgian buildings. Today, the Mendip Hills are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, drawing walkers, climbers and caving enthusiasts to Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole. Culturally, the region balances farming, tourism and a quiet, independent spirit – you won’t find chain hotels or big nightlife.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mendip guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm, low rainfall, long daylight hours for walking. Crowds are present but not choking.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays fill Cheddar Gorge and the caves. The Cheddar Festival (brass bands, food stalls) in late July spikes local demand. Hotel prices at The Barn typically rise 20–30% over midweek off-peak rates, with minimum 2-night stays common in August.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October: the weather’s still decent for hiking (10–16°C), rooms can be 25% cheaper than summer and the roads are quiet.
Weather & packing
Mendip weather changes fast – it can be misty and 12°C at dawn, then sunny and 22°C by lunch, then drizzle by teatime. Pack layers you can peel off or zip on, and always bring a waterproof shell, even if the forecast looks clear.
Live City Briefing — Mendip
- The B3135 through Cheddar Gorge is closed for rockfall stabilisation work until September 2026 – use the B3371 via Axbridge instead, adding 15 minutes.
- Cheddar Gorge Cliff Top Walk now requires a paid permit (£5 per person, from the Gorge entrance) due to increased visitor numbers and path maintenance.
- New farm shop opened in Draycott in May 2026 selling local cheese, cider and walking-snack packs – useful before heading up onto the Mendips.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Barn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Any ground-floor room away from the car park entrance is best. Rooms at the rear of the building face the fields and are quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the main entrance or the car park side – you will hear guests coming and going, and doors closing.
Best views
Rooms at the back overlook open Somerset countryside. The front looks onto the car park and the lane through Henton.
Quietest floors
All rooms are on the ground floor, so there is no upper-floor noise, but the rear-facing rooms are the quietest.
🔊 Noise notes
Rural setting means very little traffic noise. The main noise source is other guests arriving/leaving, especially near the entrance and car park. No lift noise or bar noise.
Insider tips
1) Park on-site – free and only 12 spaces, so arrive early. 2) Request a roll-in shower room if you need it – only one room has this, and it is first come, first served.
- 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 — The Barn
Free WiFi throughout, basic broadband sufficient for email and browsing; no login constraints
No lift – all rooms on ground floor with step-free access
Complimentary digital FT access via hotel tablet in lounge; no physical papers
Standard check-in 15:00–21:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 without charge; late check-out until 12:00 for £25
Free baggage storage in locked room, available 09:00–18:00
Step-free main entrance and ground-floor rooms; one bedroom has a roll-in shower; no hearing loops
On-site free parking for 12 cars; nearest public car park is Mendip Village Hall Car Park, free, 5-min walk; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; £50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Christ Church (481 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: St Lawrence (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Rode General Store & Cafe — 394 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Offices for the best rates; avoid exchange kiosks at airports or tourist spots as they offer poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in shops, pubs, and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay common. Some smaller rural cafés or markets may be cash-only.
Round up the bill or leave 10% for good service in restaurants; tip taxi drivers a pound or two; hotel staff appreciate a few pounds for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular filter or Americano from a café costs around £2.50–£3.
A sandwich or soup from a local bakery or pub lunch special is £5–£8.
A main course at a pub or casual restaurant is £10–£15.
Cheddar and Wells have farmers' markets on certain days with hot food stalls; no dedicated street-food areas otherwise.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons are the main budget supermarkets.
High-street chains in Wells or Shepton Mallet; charity shops good for bargains.
The Mendip Rambler bus gives day pass for about £5; cheapest from Bristol airport is the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train or bus onward.
Buy a local bus day ticket to explore; visit free sites like Cheddar Gorge National Trust car park (just park, don't pay for the cave tour); pack a picnic from a supermarket.
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 The Barn
🕒 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 The Barn?
Any ground-floor room away from the car park entrance is best. Rooms at the rear of the building face the fields and are quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Barn?
Rooms near the main entrance or the car park side – you will hear guests coming and going, and doors closing.
Is The Barn noisy?
Rural setting means very little traffic noise. The main noise source is other guests arriving/leaving, especially near the entrance and car park. No lift noise or bar noise.
Which rooms have the best views at The Barn?
Rooms at the back overlook open Somerset countryside. The front looks onto the car park and the lane through Henton.
What are insider tips for staying at The Barn?
1) Park on-site – free and only 12 spaces, so arrive early. 2) Request a roll-in shower room if you need it – only one room has this, and it is first come, first served.
What time is check-in at The Barn?
Check-in at The Barn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Barn have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, basic broadband sufficient for email and browsing; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Barn?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Barn?
A sandwich or soup from a local bakery or pub lunch special is £5–£8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Barn?
The Mendip Rambler bus gives day pass for about £5; cheapest from Bristol airport is the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train or bus onward.
When is the best time to visit Mendip?
May, June, September: warm, low rainfall, long daylight hours for walking. Crowds are present but not choking.
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.