Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Low key but cool Bruton, aka the Notting Hill of the South West, has more than its fair share of cultural highlights, great food and bars, and famous people. There&#8217;s a strong community feel and the annual Packhorse Fair in May, marking the end of the town&#8217;s art fair, is a lot of fun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1.jpg" alt="roth bar bruton somerset best place to live" class="wp-image-98538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/Roth-Bar-Opening-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roth Bar </figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re spoilt for choice in Bruton. Meet friends for coffee, fresh bread and pizzas <a aria-label="At The Chapel (opens in a new tab)" href="https://atthechapel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At The Chapel</a>, then on for cocktails and dining at the new, super cool <a href="https://rothbar.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roth Bar</a>. You&#8217;ll find Italian posh nosh at <a href="https://da-costa.co.uk/dinner-at-da-costa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Da Costa</a>; a dish of the day at <a aria-label="Matt's Kitchen (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mattskitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt&#8217;s Kitchen</a>; books with coffee (and sometimes live music) at the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stripyduckbookshopcafe/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stripy Duck</a> bookshop; and wine, food and deli stuff at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oldpharmacybruton/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Pharmacy</a>. Pop in for a pint and if you&#8217;re lucky some live music at <a href="https://www.blueballbruton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Blue Ball</a> pub. </p>



<p>Fancy going posh? Tiny farm-to-table restaurant <a href="https://numberonebruton.com/briar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Briar</a>, where Michelin starred Osip used to be, is making waves, and within six months of opening was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand (<a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-briar-bruton-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our review</a>). <a aria-label="Osip (opens in a new tab)" href="https://osiprestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osip</a>, owned by the youngest chef to win a star, Merlin Labron-Johnson, is now in nearby Hardway. Margot Henderson, co-founder of Rochelle Canteen, has a pub with rooms and field-to-fork menu, <a href="https://thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Horseshoes</a>, just up the road in Batcombe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289.jpg" alt=" rose and lyons bruton somerset" class="wp-image-111307" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-rose-and-lyons-thumbnail_IMG_1289-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rose &amp; Lyons</figcaption></figure>



<p>Bruton has a growing number of tasteful indies including womenswear and lifestyle shop <a aria-label="Rose &amp; Lyon (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.roseandlyons.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rose &amp; Lyon</a>; vintage homeware at <a href="https://philoandphilo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philo &amp; Philo</a>; Moroccan rugs and other home stuff from around the world at <a href="https://www.smoukinteriors.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smouk Interiors</a>; and vintage and contemporary homeware and gifts at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newromanticbruton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Romantic</a>. At Eighteen-Twenty sells antiques. </p>



<p>You&#8217;ll find books, gifts and kids&#8217; stuff at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/apeoreden/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ape or Eden?</a>; assorted little galleries, including Hauser &amp; Wirth&#8217;s <a href="https://www.hauserwirth.com/make/?date=all" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Make</a><a href="https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/29360-make-hauser-wirth-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">.</a> Check out <a href="https://www.godminster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Godminster</a> for cheese and more, and <a href="https://theflowershopbruton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Flower Shop </a>for fabulous flowers. The <a href="https://dursladefarmshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farm Shop</a> up at Hauser &amp; Wirth has artisan produce and homewares, artfully displayed, and the <a aria-label="Mulberry  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mulberryfactoryshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mulberry</a> factory shop is nearby. </p>



<p>When a Greggs arrived at the end of 2024, let&#8217;s say opinion in the town was &#8216;divided&#8217;.  Waitrose is 10 mins away in Gillingham. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a GP on the doorstep. Pop yourselves into <a href="https://www.wellnessworkswest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WellnessWorksWest</a> for wellbeing products and complementary treatments, and <a href="https://www.beyondacupuncture.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beyond Acupuncture</a> for – you guess it. There are cycling and walking clubs&nbsp;– and walks aplenty – all around.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.hauserwirth.com/the-story-of-our-somerset-arts-center/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hauser &amp; Wirth</a>, an art centre and sister of the London gallery, holds lots of community events including the Big Draw, workshops, annual fairs and fireworks. The month-long <a href="https://www.brutonfestival.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bruton Arts Festival,</a> culminating in the popular <a href="https://www.brutonfestival.org.uk/packhorse-fair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Packhorse Fair</a> in May, brings everyone together. There&#8217;s a community hall and the town has still got a library!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Super chic and <em>super </em>pricey, <a href="https://thenewtinsomerset.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Newt in Somerset</a> country house hotel, restaurant and spa with gorgeous grounds – including an aerial walkway, a reimagined Roman villa and 267 varieties of apples – is a couple of miles out of town. Kids will adore the brilliant 25-acre outdoor activity centre <a aria-label="Mill on the Brue (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.millonthebrue.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mill on the Brue</a> (zip wires, high ropes, canoeing, etc). The National Trust&#8217;s <a aria-label="Stourhead  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stourhead </a>estate is up the road. There are masses of beautiful walks nearby.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor.jpg" alt="hauser and wirth bruton somerset best place to live" class="wp-image-72998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/09/00-hauser-sue-tucker_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hauser &amp; Wirth</figcaption></figure>



<p>Gallery and art centre <a aria-label="Hauser &amp; Wirth (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.hauserwirth.com/locations/10068-hauser-wirth-somerset" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hauser &amp; Wirth</a>, owned by art world power couple Iwan Wirth and Manuela Hauser, is on the edge of town. As well as exhibitions by world famous artists (Henry Moore, Louise Bourgeois, et al), you can visit the beautiful Oudolf Field gardens, designed by landscape designer Piet Oudolf, and the Radić Pavilion, a cross between a potato and a spaceship that was first unveiled as the Serpentine Gallery 2014 Pavilion – all for free.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties, from cutting-edge eco-houses (on the edge of town) to period properties and newer builds, are hard to come by. The average house price is £392,145. Over the past year, the majority of sales were terraced homes at £267,322; semis went for £354,000. Detached houses go for much more – an average of £605,406 – but there are homes for sale in the locale for £1m+.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1217" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1.jpg" alt="house for sale bruton somerset" class="wp-image-111086" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1-800x649.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1-1000x811.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1-400x325.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/bruton-Plots-16-18-March-25-dp2-1600x1298-1-768x623.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">If you love a Grand Design, there are <a href="https://www.lodestoneproperty.co.uk/longcroft-at-cubis-bruton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 &amp; 4-bed detacheds</a> like this on the edge of town from £449,000.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.communitykidsbruton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Community Kids</a> and <a href="https://www.ladybirdpreschoolbruton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladybird Pre-School</a> are both Ofsted rated Good. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>The state <a href="https://www.brutonprimary.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bruton Primary</a> and the interestingly named state day and boarding school <a href="https://www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sexey&#8217;s</a> are both Ofsted-rated Good. The independent King&#8217;s Bruton is in the middle of town. Hazlegrove Prep, which is part of the same group, is about 10 miles away. Outstanding for its music (and much else), <a aria-label="Wells Cathedral School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/wells-cathedral-school-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wells Cathedral School</a> and Catholic all-rounder<a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/downside-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Downside School </a>are both just under 13 miles away. Renowned for sport (but not just sport), Millfield Prep and Millfield Senior are in Glastonbury and Street respectively, and about 16 miles away. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET </h2>



<p>Literary giant John Steinbeck once lived here. It&#8217;s loved by arty, media types like Mariella Frostrup, Sam Taylor-Wood, Cameron Mackintosh – and George Osborne, who owns a £1.6m pad in the area.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Direct trains to London Paddington take 1 hr 50 mins; to London Waterloo from nearby Gillingham takes 2 hrs 12 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Bruton

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