🇬🇧 Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom
The shrubbery Hotel
📍 17, Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BU
Your stay — The shrubbery Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Shepton Mallet.
The Property — The shrubbery Hotel
The Shrubbery Hotel is a straightforward three-star in Shepton Mallet's town centre, with a traditional pub-style bar and a garden that catches the afternoon sun. It's unpretentious and practical – think solid breakfast, creaky floorboards, and free parking that's a genuine bonus for drivers exploring Somerset. The lobby feels more like a lived-in guesthouse than a corporate chain, and it suits travellers who want a clean room near the High Street without the frills of a country-house hotel.
Chronicles of Shepton Mallet
Shepton Mallet began as a Saxon settlement and grew around the wool trade in the Middle Ages; the 14th-century parish church and market cross still mark its historic core. By the 18th century it became a centre for brewing and cider, a legacy that survives in the nearby Thatchers and Gaymer’s factories. The town’s most surprising landmark is HMP Shepton Mallet, a Georgian prison that once held American soldiers during World War II and now runs popular ghost tours. Today it's a modest market town with a weekly livestock market, a few indy shops, and a reputation as the gateway to the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge.
Best Time to Visit
Full Shepton Mallet guide →Best months
June and September offer the best balance: long, warm days without the full school-holiday crush. May is also good, though occasional rain showers are normal.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak for Somerset as a whole, driven by school holidays and the Glastonbury Festival (late June) sending spill-over visitors into nearby towns. Hotel prices at The Shrubbery can rise 15–25% in August, and rooms book out weeks ahead of Glastonbury weekend.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the quietest months with decent daylight and lower rates. You'll find discounts of 20–30% and far fewer cars in the car park, though some local attractions may run reduced winter hours.
Weather & packing
Shepton Mallet sits on a plateau and can be noticeably cooler than nearby Bath or Wells, especially in the evening. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket even in summer – a light fleece or sweater is non-negotiable for after dark.
Live City Briefing — Shepton Mallet
- The A37 through Shepton Mallet has a temporary one-way system until late 2026 due to road widening near the High Street – allow extra time if driving from the A303.
- Shepton Mallet's new 'Somerset Heritage Walk' launched in spring 2026, linking the market square, the prison museum, and the medieval church with better signage – a free, self-guided route for visitors.
- The town's weekly livestock market (Mondays) has moved to a new site on Cannard's Grave Road, freeing up the old cattle market for a planned community food hall, due to open autumn 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The shrubbery Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (rooms 1-5, though numbering may vary). First-floor rooms avoid the steep stair climb and reduce footfall noise from rooms above. The front rooms on Commercial Road have double glazing, so request a front-facing first-floor room for a balance of light and quiet.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid second-floor rooms (rooms 6-11) if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues—stairs are narrow and steep. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance or at the rear near the car park (likely rooms ending in 4-5 or 10-11), as early departures and arrivals cause door slams and engine noise.
Best views
Front-facing rooms (rooms 1-3 or similar) overlook Commercial Road—a busy A-road—but have double glazing. Rear rooms overlook the car park and a small garden; grassy outlook but less interesting. No rooms face open countryside.
Quietest floors
First floor for lower noise from upstairs guests, but note that all rooms share narrow corridors with creaky floorboards.
🔊 Noise notes
Commercial Road sees moderate traffic 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. No lift means clunking on stairs and shouting in corridors. Parking is first-come so expect engine idling and door slams from 7am. No bar or restaurant on site, but nearby pubs may have late music on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Arrive before 3pm check-in to secure parking—only 8 spaces fill quickly. 2. Ask reception for a room on the first floor (they may not offer it) and request a front-facing room if you want natural light; rear rooms are darker but quieter at night.
- 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 shrubbery Hotel
Free Wi-Fi, typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login, just accept terms on landing page
No lift; all 11 rooms are on first and second floors reached by narrow stairs; no historic lift shaft
Complimentary digital PressReader access via hotel iPad in lounge; no physical papers delivered; building is a converted Victorian villa with original fireplaces in communal areas
Standard check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed on request; late check-out until 12:00 £25 (subject to availability)
Free storage in locked ground-floor office; inform reception in advance
One step at main entrance; no ramps; no ground-floor rooms; no adapted bathroom; not wheelchair-accessible
Free on-site parking for 8 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Legg Street Car Park (0.2 miles), £3.50 for 24 hours; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no tourist tax charged in Shepton Mallet)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; £50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Shepton Mallet Baptist Church (29 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: The Salvation Army - Shepton Mallet (68 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: St Peter and St Paul (312 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Saint Michael's Catholic Church (411 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Collett Park — 659 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 366 m · ~5 min walk
Coop Shepton Mallet — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Mendip Vale — 3.1 km · ~39 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or post offices for best rates; avoid airport or hotel bureaux which add poor rates and fees.
Contactless cards and Apple/Google Pay widely accepted in shops, pubs and supermarkets; small independent stalls or market stalls may prefer cash.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave a few pounds for good service in restaurants (10-15% if no service charge), and a couple of pounds for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain coffee shops like Costa or local cafés serve filter coffee for around £2-2.50.
A sandwich or jacket potato from a supermarket café or bakery (e.g., Greggs/Boots) for £4-6.
A pub main like fish and chips or a burger for £12-15.
Not common in Shepton Mallet itself; for street-food markets go to nearby towns like Frome or Bristol.
Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi (budget option), and Co-op for everyday goods.
High-street chains (Primark, Matalan) in nearby towns; Shepton Mallet has a small selection of charity shops and a market on Fridays/Saturdays.
Local bus dayrider ticket around £5-6 (First Bus or similar); from Bristol Airport take the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train or bus to Shepton Mallet (overall £15-20).
Buy groceries from Aldi or Tesco rather than small convenience stores; book train tickets in advance on websites like Trainline; look for 'meal deal' offers at supermarkets for a budget lunch.
Good to know — Shepton Mallet
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
Shepton MalletWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Shepton Mallet, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The shrubbery Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 366 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Castle Cary Station → The Shrubbery Hotel, Shepton Mallet
💡 Trains from London Paddington or Exeter stop at Castle Cary. From there, a quick taxi (5 mins, ~£8) or a 40-minute walk (hilly, through country lanes) to the hotel. No direct bus from station.
Bristol Bus Station → Shepton Mallet Market Place
💡 Cheapest option from Bristol Airport: catch the Airport Flyer A1 bus to Bristol Bus Station (15 mins, £6), then the 376 direct to Shepton Mallet. The bus stops a 10-minute walk from The Shrubbery Hotel.
Bristol Airport (BRS) → The Shrubbery Hotel, Shepton Mallet
💡 Book with a local firm like Shepton Mallet Taxis or Mendip Cabs for fixed rates—avoid surge pricing from airport rank. Trip takes about 45-55 minutes via A37.
Bath Bus Station → Shepton Mallet Market Place
💡 Best for day-trippers from Bath. The bus runs via Wells—sit on the right for views of the Mendip Hills. Alight at Market Place, walk up Paul Street: the hotel is just past the High Street junction.
About Shepton Mallet
Wikipedia ↗
Shepton Mallet is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies 16 miles (26 km) south-west of Bath, 18 miles (29 km) south of Bristol and 5 miles (8 km) east of Wells. At the 2021 census, the parish had a population of 10,592 and the built-up area had a population of 9,645. The Mendi...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The shrubbery Hotel?
Request a room on the first floor (rooms 1-5, though numbering may vary). First-floor rooms avoid the steep stair climb and reduce footfall noise from rooms above. The front rooms on Commercial Road have double glazing, so request a front-facing first-floor room for a balance of light and quiet.
Which rooms should I avoid at The shrubbery Hotel?
Avoid second-floor rooms (rooms 6-11) if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues—stairs are narrow and steep. Also avoid rooms directly above the main entrance or at the rear near the car park (likely rooms ending in 4-5 or 10-11), as early departures and arrivals cause door slams and engine noise.
Is The shrubbery Hotel noisy?
Commercial Road sees moderate traffic 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. No lift means clunking on stairs and shouting in corridors. Parking is first-come so expect engine idling and door slams from 7am. No bar or restaurant on site, but nearby pubs may have late music on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at The shrubbery Hotel?
Front-facing rooms (rooms 1-3 or similar) overlook Commercial Road—a busy A-road—but have double glazing. Rear rooms overlook the car park and a small garden; grassy outlook but less interesting. No rooms face open countryside.
What are insider tips for staying at The shrubbery Hotel?
1. Arrive before 3pm check-in to secure parking—only 8 spaces fill quickly. 2. Ask reception for a room on the first floor (they may not offer it) and request a front-facing room if you want natural light; rear rooms are darker but quieter at night.
What time is check-in at The shrubbery Hotel?
Check-in at The shrubbery Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The shrubbery Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi, typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login, just accept terms on landing page
Is there a city or tourist tax at The shrubbery Hotel?
None (no tourist tax charged in Shepton Mallet)
Where can I eat cheaply near The shrubbery Hotel?
A sandwich or jacket potato from a supermarket café or bakery (e.g., Greggs/Boots) for £4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The shrubbery Hotel?
Local bus dayrider ticket around £5-6 (First Bus or similar); from Bristol Airport take the A1 bus to Bristol Temple Meads then train or bus to Shepton Mallet (overall £15-20).
When is the best time to visit Shepton Mallet?
June and September offer the best balance: long, warm days without the full school-holiday crush. May is also good, though occasional rain showers are normal.
Top Attractions in Shepton Mallet
💡 Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the Mendip Hills—small donation requested.
💡 Head here early morning for birdwatching; the bluebell display in late April is impressive.
💡 Visit on a Saturday morning when the street market sets up—great for local produce and bargains.
💡 Book online for a discount; arrive early to avoid queues on weekends.
💡 The cafe here does a decent cream tea for under £8—good value compared to town centre places.