The area: Things to do & places to eat

Situated in the heart of Wessex - on the borders of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire - Long Hill Carriage is a perfectly located rural retreat.

Things to do

Find out all about the world's most famous prehistoric monument in the impressive new visitor centre at Stonehenge, before walking round the iconic stone circle (35 minutes away).

Long Hill Carriage is within easy reach of the glorious historic cities of Bath, (50 minutes away) where there is so much to see and do, Salisbury and England's smallest city, Wells, which boasts one of its most beautiful cathedrals (40 minutes away).

Nearer to hand are the popular little towns of Sherborne with its two castles and magnificent Abbey (25 minutes away) and the hilltop town of Shaftesbury where you can walk down - and up - cobbled Gold Hill, also known as Hovis Hill after the advertisement featuring the iconic landmark (15 minutes away).

The National Trust garden and house at Stourhead are just 10 minutes away. Stroll round the glistening lake and discover grottos, bridges, classical temples and a multitude of exotic trees which are especially fabulous in the autumn with colours galore.

Other nearby National Trust properties include Lytes Cary Manor, a jewel of a medieval manor house set in glorious gardens (25 minutes) and the magnificent Elizabethan house and gardens of Montacute, film setting for Wolf Hall and Pride and Prejudice, and home to over 60 Elizabethan portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery (30 minutes).

Extend your "railway experience" and travel by steam along a 2 mile track at the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore, (35 minutes away) or pay a visit to Europe's largest collection of naval aircraft and the first British Concorde at the Fleet Air Arm Museum (20 minutes away).

For some of the best views in the area, stride out across chalk downland at Fontmell Down (25 minutes away) or see the unending carpet of bluebells in the ancient nearby woodland of Duncliffe Wood (15 minutes away), rich in wildlife and said to have inspired Thomas Hardy to write the Woodlanders.

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Places to eat

Enjoy a cosy home-made meal in the comfort of the carriage with its own wood burner or why not take a trip to one of the many excellent eateries in the local area. The list below gives you a flavour of a few of our favourite nearby restaurants and pubs; there is an in depth guide of good places to eat and drink available at Long Hill Carriage upon your arrival.

The Bell & Crown

10 minutes away in Zeals. Delightful former coaching inn, full of character, not far from Stourhead, with an all-year outside dining area and delicious food focusing on fresh and seasonal produce. Voted one of the best pubs for Sunday lunch by the Guardian.

Roth Bar & Grill

15 minutes away in Bruton. Enjoy farm-to-table tasty meals made from local ingredients in a former cowshed surrounded by a spectacular medley of contemporary art. Based at the pioneering world-class gallery and arts centre of Hauser and Wirth Somerset.

At The Chapel

17 minutes away in Bruton. Stylish converted chapel with a laid back friendly vibe and delicious bistro menu. Wonderful artisan bakery, bar and restaurant. Excellent takeaway pizzas from their brick wood-fired oven.

Osip

17 minutes away in Bruton. A tiny Michelin starred restaurant set in a former ironmonger's shop, serving a refined and innovative farm-to-table menu which showcases local ingredients. Voted the UK's best restaurant by SquareMeal in 2022.

The Queen's Arms

20 minutes away in Corton Denham. A recently refurbished honey-coloured stone inn, whose menu focuses on local food grown and reared responsibly (some in the village). Climb up the hill opposite the pub to build up an appetite - the views from the top are spectacular!

The Beckford Arms

23 minutes away in Fonthill Gifford. A warm and welcoming, traditional yet stylish country gastropub with excellent cuisine and a range of interesting beers.