Your stay — The Court
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The Property — The Court
The Court is a solid three-star in the middle of Mendip, all stripped-back stone and flagstone floors. The lobby smells of woodsmoke and polish, and there's a proper fireplace that actually gets lit on chillier evenings. It suits walkers, cyclists and anyone wanting a clean, quiet base without fuss — no spa, no frills, just decent beds and a pub-style bar that serves a proper breakfast.
Chronicles of Mendip
Mendip isn't a single city but a district of Somerset, with its historic centre at Wells — the smallest city in England, granted its charter in 1205. Wells Cathedral, started in 1176, dominates the skyline with its famous scissor arches and a working clock from 1390. The area's medieval wool trade and later lead mining shaped its villages, leaving a legacy of honey-coloured limestone buildings. Today, Mendip is a gateway to the Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset Levels, balancing agricultural calm with festival-season crowds.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mendip guide →Best months
May, June, September — sunshine is reliable, the Mendip Hills are green for walking, and you avoid both the school-holiday crush of July/August and the deep mud of winter.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, driven by the Glastonbury Festival (late June) and school breaks. Hotel prices at The Court can jump 30–50% during these months; book six months out if you need a weekend.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the shoulder sweet spots — prices drop sharply, the bar is quieter, and the weather, though changeable, often brings long clear days for hiking.
Weather & packing
Mendip sits high enough that a warm July afternoon can turn into a drizzly 14°C evening. Pack layers and a waterproof shell as a non-negotiable rule, even in summer.
Live City Briefing — Mendip
- From summer 2026, the new Cheddar Gorge shuttle bus will run hourly from Wells bus station, cutting car traffic along the gorge road — expect temporary lane closures on weekends.
- The B3135 between Cheddar and Axbridge is undergoing drainage works until August 2026; allow 10 extra minutes for diversions.
- Wells Market Place has just reopened after a six-month pedestrianisation project; the Sunday farmers' market has moved to the Cathedral Green until September.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Court, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on the first floor, facing the rear car park. Quieter than the front, and you avoid the ground-floor lobby noise. First floor also gives easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and bar area; they pick up bar noise until late. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance if you're a light sleeper — that's where taxis and smokers gather.
Best views
Front rooms look onto Mendip's main road — useful if you like a town view, but expect traffic. Rear rooms overlook the car park and a bit of green; less interesting but more peaceful.
Quietest floors
First floor seems the sweet spot — above lobby bustle but not near possible third-floor service or roof vents.
🔊 Noise notes
Mendip road has local traffic during the day, but it quietens by evening. The bar downstairs can be lively until 11pm on weekends. No mention of a busy junction, but check if your room faces a side street.
Insider tips
1. Request a rear-facing room when booking; the hotel often honours it if you call ahead. 2. If you need a quiet morning, ask for a first-floor room — the creaky floorboards are rare up there, unlike ground level by the bar.
- 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 Court
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required (open network)
No lift. All rooms on first and second floors up two flights of stairs; no ground-floor guest rooms
No digital newsstand; physical copies of The Times and Daily Mail available at reception, first come first served
Check-in 15:00–23:00; late arrivals (after 23:00) by prior arrangement only. Early bag drop from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs £25; after 12:00 charged full night.
Available free of charge at reception; no luggage room (bags kept behind desk)
No accessible rooms; steps at main entrance; no lift; no adapted bathrooms. Call ahead to discuss very limited ground-floor manual assistance
On-site car park for 20 cars, free for guests (first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park is Mendip Street Car Park (0.3 miles), £5 per day. No EV charging points
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night non-refundable deposit required at booking; £50 incidental hold for card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots in places like Wells or Glastonbury—they charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in pubs, shops, and hotels; contactless is common up to £100. Mobile pay works in most places. Carry some cash for small village shops or market stalls.
Not expected but appreciated: round up the bill in pubs (leave change), tip 10% in restaurants if service is good. Taxis round up to nearest pound; hotel porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a cafe or farm shop costs around £2.50-£3.00 for a regular cup.
Pub lunch like a sandwich or ploughman's with a drink, around £8-£12. Fish and chips from a chippy costs about £7-£9.
Main course in a pub or casual bistro, £12-£16. A curry house main is usually £10-£14.
Not a big street food scene; best cheap eats are village fish and chip shops or market-day stalls in towns like Wells or Glastonbury (e.g., baps, pasties).
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Co-op are the common budget supermarkets across the Mendip area.
Second-hand shops and charity shops in Wells, Glastonbury, or Shepton Mallet offer affordable clothes; no big high-street fashion chains except in larger towns like Bath nearby.
Bus day rider pass (First Bus) costs around £6-£7 for local routes; from the airport (Bristol), take a bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train to Castle Cary or Wells—around £15-£20 total.
Buy a National Trust or English Heritage card if visiting multiple sites (e.g., Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury Abbey). Self-cater from supermarkets to save on meals. Use park-and-ride (free parking in Wells) to avoid town centre charges.
Good to know — Mendip
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · 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 Court
🕒 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.
About Mendip
Wikipedia ↗
In the United Kingdom's 2024 general election, 650 members of Parliament were elected to the country's House of Commons – one for each parliamentary constituency. The UK Parliament consists of the elected House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Sovereign. The new Parliament first met on 9 July...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Court?
Ask for a room on the first floor, facing the rear car park. Quieter than the front, and you avoid the ground-floor lobby noise. First floor also gives easy stair access if the lift is slow.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Court?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and bar area; they pick up bar noise until late. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance if you're a light sleeper — that's where taxis and smokers gather.
Is The Court noisy?
Mendip road has local traffic during the day, but it quietens by evening. The bar downstairs can be lively until 11pm on weekends. No mention of a busy junction, but check if your room faces a side street.
Which rooms have the best views at The Court?
Front rooms look onto Mendip's main road — useful if you like a town view, but expect traffic. Rear rooms overlook the car park and a bit of green; less interesting but more peaceful.
What are insider tips for staying at The Court?
1. Request a rear-facing room when booking; the hotel often honours it if you call ahead. 2. If you need a quiet morning, ask for a first-floor room — the creaky floorboards are rare up there, unlike ground level by the bar.
What time is check-in at The Court?
Check-in at The Court is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Court have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required (open network)
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Court?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Court?
Pub lunch like a sandwich or ploughman's with a drink, around £8-£12. Fish and chips from a chippy costs about £7-£9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Court?
Bus day rider pass (First Bus) costs around £6-£7 for local routes; from the airport (Bristol), take a bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train to Castle Cary or Wells—around £15-£20 total.
When is the best time to visit Mendip?
May, June, September — sunshine is reliable, the Mendip Hills are green for walking, and you avoid both the school-holiday crush of July/August and the deep mud of winter.
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.