Set in an old 12th-century forge in the center of Bruton, a row of townhouses and cottages have been transformed into No.1 Bruton, a bijou little hotel with twelve bedrooms. A haven of character, comfort, and color, there is a roaring fire, an honesty bar for pre-dinner cocktails (downstairs at Osip, naturally), and a garden designed by Penelope Hobhouse.

The Newt in Somerset is a country estate with splendid gardens, woodland, and farmland. The core is Georgian, with limestone buildings the color of burnt orange, the seat of the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries. Innovative design is paired with country walks, garden produce, and superb service – wrapping you in a sense of well-being.

The artistically inclined will love this farmhouse stay, found within the grounds of Hauser & Wirth on the outskirts of Bruton. The Grade II-listed building was renovated by Argentinian architect Luis Laplace and is wonderfully idiosyncratic thanks to its blend of the property’s natural antiquity and original features alongside contemporary art installations. As well as six double bedrooms, there is a Guillermo Kuitca mural in the dining room and a video installation by Pipilotti Rist.

First things first: breakfast. In Bruton, it has to be At The Chapel, a restaurant with rooms in a former chapel which is also a part bakery, pizzeria, and wine shop. Book a spot in the double-height dining room for a brunch of fresh smoothies, pastries, granola with yogurt, and divine egg dishes such as guacamole, harissa, and poached eggs on flaxseed toast.

The Old Pharmacy, also by Merlin Labron-Johnson and next door to Osip, should be on your list. The part-deli, part-wine bar serves up one of the best suppers in the west country, complete with a daily changing menu and most ingredients sourced from its farm nearby.

An organic farm that has been at the heart of Bruton for centuries, the current owner Richard started making cheese in 1999 as a thank you to friends and neighbors who helped it achieve organic certification. Now Godminster’s vintage organic cheddar has a devoted following and is well worth a taste while you are in town.

Hauser & Wirth outposts always take their food seriously, and the Roth Bar & Grill is no exception. On warmer spring days and in summer, nab one of its alfresco tables for a languorous, wine-fuelled lunch. Focused on produce from Durslade Farm and its kitchen garden, the menu changes daily with an emphasis on top-quality meat. Alongside its in-house-cured meats, you will want to watch out for its impressive steak cuts, with the Tomahawks a firm favorite among locals.

In 2014, when uber gallerists Hauser & Wirth opened their fourth outpost in rural Somerset, sleepy Bruton was catapulted into the limelight. Taking over Durslade Farm on the edge of town, the duo created a contemporary gallery with beautiful gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, a restaurant (fed by the farm), and now a chic farm shop drawing in the local creative crowd. In 2018, the pair opened Make on Bruton High Street, where they celebrate contemporary making and crafted objects.