Name: The Ancient Gatehouse
Address: 20 Sadler St, Wells, BA5 2SE, United Kingdom, 20 Sadler St, Somerset, BA5 2SE, UK
Price range: Prices for upcoming dates start at £72 per night (We Price Match)
Rating: 8.3

Room info & price Facilities House rules The fine print Our guests’ experiences (503)

The Ancient Gatehouse

20 Sadler St, Wells, BA5 2SE, United Kingdom – Excellent location - show map

Traveller photo of Wells by Patricia

United Kingdom · 24 July 2016

Lock in a great price for The Ancient Gatehouse - rated 8.3 by recent guests.

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Very good food for dinner and breakfast, friendly staff and a cosy atmosphere. We were prepared for small staircases, narrow hallways, and we liked the feeling of being in a historical building. The online description of the parking situation was accurate, and the staff was very helpful and well prepared to give us details recommendations and directions where we could park. That worked well. There is a small terrace facing the cathedral, a very nice place to sit with a beautiful view.

Enjoyable, Germany

The staff were exceptionally helpful especially with parking which could have been a problem. The view over Wells cathedral green was perfect. The Italian was very lively and the food all freshly cooked.

Fay, United Kingdom

Amazing location with unbeatable backdrop of the cathedral

Martin, United Kingdom

We liked the food, the staff were friendly the mattress was comfortable.

Paul, United Kingdom

The view from our window in room 7 was magnificent! Wells Cathedral framed by the trees on its large green, which is accessible through the back door of the hotel where there are picnic tables which invite one to sample the offerings of their restaurant, Rugantino's. The small lounge also has a view of the green and the cathedral. The scrambled eggs were extraordinarily delicious and the bacon was very good as well. The staff were very helpful and gracious, especially in their help with our heaviest bag up the steep winding staircase of this historically important ancient gatehouse. Our bed was very comfortable and the bathroom spacious, with a great shower.

Nancy, USA

Loved the experience Unique Charming, Historical building Restaurant on site nice selection Great staff, extremely helpful Rates are reasonable

Edward, USA

The city centre location everything was in walking distance

Sheree, United Kingdom

Excellent location. Excellent facilities food and staff very polite and helpful

Gareth, United Kingdom

The staff was very nice. The room was old due to the history of the hotel but very nice. The view from the bedroom is amazing. The town is very quiet at night, we slept very well. The italian restaurant is very good, lots of dishes for fair prices.

Marine, France

Staff exceptional and location couldn't be bettered

Peter, United Kingdom

Great location!

One of our top picks in Wells.

Set in a stunning location on Wells Cathedral Green, facing the West Front, the Ancient Gatehouse is well positioned for discovering Somerset's historic beauty spots.

Just yards away from the ancient market place, the hotel reflects authentic period charm with its centuries-old spiral stone staircase and quaint little passages.

The Ancient Gatehouse boasts the excellent Rugantino Restaurant, specialising in authentic Italian cuisine, with a welcoming ambience.

Rooms have been refurbished to a very high standard and retain their original features and character. Some rooms have a four-poster bed.

Bristol, Bath and Longleat are close by.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9 for a two-person trip.

We speak your language!

The Ancient Gatehouse has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 1 Jun 2009.

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Most popular facilities

Parking

Pets allowed

Free WiFi

Restaurant

Guests love...

“location was great”
72 related reviews

“amazing views”
72 related reviews

“beautiful building”
65 related reviews

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.4)

Breakfast info

Full English/Irish

Free WiFi
Guests consistently rate the WiFi as excellent

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Rooms

Adults

Children

Fits	Room type
	Twin Room 2 single beds	Show prices
Room size: 161 ft² This twin room has a electric kettle. Room facilities: TV, Telephone, Fax, Hairdryer, Iron, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Free toiletries, Toilet, Heating, Bath or Shower, Wake-up service, Alarm clock, Electric kettle, Wardrobe/Closet, Hypoallergenic, Towels, Clothes rack Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children
	Classic Double Room 1 double bed	Show prices
댴 Private bathroom This double room features a electric kettle. Room facilities: TV, Telephone, Hairdryer, Iron, Radio, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Free toiletries, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Bath or Shower, Carpeted, Interconnected room(s) available, View, Wake-up service, Alarm clock, Electric kettle, Wardrobe/Closet, Hypoallergenic, Towels, Clothes rack Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children
	Classic Single Room 1 single bed	Show prices
Room facilities: TV, Telephone, Hairdryer, Iron, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Toilet, Heating, Bath or Shower Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children
	Double Room with Four Poster Bed 1 double bed	Show prices
This double room features a shower room. Room facilities: Shower, Bath, TV, Telephone, Fax, Hairdryer, Iron, Bathrobe, Radio, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Toilet, Heating, Bath or Shower Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children
	Double Room 1 double bed	Show prices
댴 Private bathroom Room size: 215 ft² These rooms are individually decorated and are en suite with digital TV, whilst retaining original features and characteristics. Room facilities: TV, Telephone, Hairdryer, Iron, Bathrobe, Radio, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Free toiletries, Toilet, Bathroom, Heating, Satellite Channels, Bath or Shower, Carpeted, Interconnected room(s) available, View, Wake-up service, Alarm clock, Electric kettle, Wardrobe/Closet, Hypoallergenic, Towels Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Someone just booked this Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children
	Room with Four-Poster Bed 1 large double bed	Show prices
Room size: 215 ft² Includes an original 4-poster bed. Room facilities: Tea/Coffee Maker, Shower, Bath, TV, Telephone, Fax, Hairdryer, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Iron, Bathrobe, Radio, Desk, Ironing Facilities, Toilet, Heating, Bath or Shower Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Check-in + / / Check-in date Check-out + / / Check-out date Rooms Adults Children

The Ancient Gatehouse was just booked 2 times on our site. Reserve your spot now.

An inside look at The Ancient Gatehouse

The Ancient Gatehouse is a family run hotel and restaurant offering a blend of friendly and professional attention in relaxed yet stylish surroundings situated facing the famous west front of Wells Cathedral and the Cathedral Green. The Rossi family have run the hotel for over 40 years. We are constantly upgrading the bedrooms and bathrooms to reach a very high standard.

Want to send a special request to Jonathan & Nicholas Rossi? Add in the next step!

Property surroundings – Great location - show map

Closest landmarks

Wells Cathedral 0.4 miles
Wookey Hole Caves 1.3 miles
Cheddar Gorge Caves 7.2 miles
Cheddar Gorge Craft Village 7.3 miles
Chew Valley Lake 8.7 miles
Coombe Lodge 9.1 miles

Restaurants and markets

Wells Farmers Market Market 0 miles
Waitrose Supermarket 0.3 miles

Natural beauty

Chew Valley Lake Lake 10.1 miles

Closest airports

Bristol Airport 12.5 miles
Cardiff Airport 32.8 miles
Bournemouth Airport 45.8 miles

Are you missing any information about this area? Yes / No

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1 restaurant on site

Rugantino

Menu: À la carte

Cuisine: Italian

Open for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6 reasons to choose The Ancient Gatehouse

Manage your bookings online

509 independent reviews

They speak 4 languages

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One of our top picks in Wells

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Check-in

From 14:00 hours

Check-out

Until 11:00 hours

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to room type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.

Children and extra beds

Children cannot be accommodated at the hotel.

There is no capacity for extra beds in the room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

Cards accepted at this property

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Or, take a look at these appealing alternatives:

Burcott Mill Guesthouse has a review score of 9.4

See the 5 best hotels in Wells, based on 3,598 verified hotel reviews on Booking.com.

The fine print

If you plan to arrive later than 22:00, please contact reception using the contact details provided on your booking confirmation.

See all guest reviews for The Ancient Gatehouse

Newest reviews for The Ancient Gatehouse

21 July 2017

Enjoyable
Germany

3 helpful votes
8.3

“Really Ancient”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group of friends
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
눉The shower doesn't give much water. The bathroom was extremely small. The picture of the room that illustrated my reservation was entirely different from the room we were assigned. I had written in the field for extra remarks that we would like to have a room with cathedral view. No one seemed to have read it. What we got was a room under the roof with a small roof window towards the cathedral. We were promised (by the owner and his junior) to get another room for the second night - #3, apparently the model for the photo. So we packed our suitcases and left the small room in the morning. Upon our arrival in the evening, we were told that due to miscommunication in the house, the only room that was left now was the one we had just left. I was relieved that we could cancel the booking then at no cost for us, and we left.
눇Very good food for dinner and breakfast, friendly staff and a cosy atmosphere. We were prepared for small staircases, narrow hallways, and we liked the feeling of being in a historical building. The online description of the parking situation was accurate, and the staff was very helpful and well prepared to give us details recommendations and directions where we could park. That worked well. There is a small terrace facing the cathedral, a very nice place to sit with a beautiful view.
21 July 2017

Richard
United Kingdom
8.3

“Lovely place with great staff, worth a visit”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Room with Four-Poster Bed
- • Stayed 3 nights
눉Parking was not on site
눇lovely full English breakfast
20 July 2017

Fay
United Kingdom
10

“Very satisfactory and just what we wanted.,”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group of friends
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 5 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
눉Nothing,given the age of the building and the restricted space.
눇The staff were exceptionally helpful especially with parking which could have been a problem. The view over Wells cathedral green was perfect. The Italian was very lively and the food all freshly cooked.
19 July 2017

Anonymous
United Kingdom
5.0

Passable
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Room with Four-Poster Bed
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
눉I booked a room with four poster bed. Shouldn't have bothered. The room was very tired and sad with dreadful bathroom and shower at the top of an amazing stone spiral staircase. Staff not really interested when I complained about appalling shower just rolled their eyes and said oh dear call the plumber again! I guess because of its position the old saying about throwing mud at the wall applies most visitors are transient and will not be staying again I certainly won't !
눇View from the window lovely
19 July 2017

Roger
United Kingdom
5.8

Okay
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
눉Generally confined, dark, very narrow staircases, unwelcoming
눇Location
18 July 2017

Lesley
United Kingdom
6.7

Pleasant
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Twin Room
- • Stayed 1 night
눉Possibly my fault but we were in an attic bedroom up a difficult staircase . Husband has replacement knees so its important to check position of room .Needed to ask for a fan (supplied ) Some problems with the TV . Addressed and worked but not again in the morning
눇Staff were very helpful . Good breakfast
18 July 2017

Martin
United Kingdom
8.8

“Beautiful Wells city unrivalled hotel location.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Classic Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
눉Parking is a challenge
눇Amazing location with unbeatable backdrop of the cathedral
16 July 2017

Terence
United Kingdom
7.5

“A quirky delightful hotel and restaurant. Would reccomed it.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Room with Four-Poster Bed
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
눉As far as we were concerned the only problem was lack and inconvenience of car parking space.
눇IT was a lovely quirky place. Well staffed and equiped.
16 July 2017

Richard
United Kingdom
9.6

“Hotel convenient for the town centre. Interesting historic building.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Twin Room
- • Stayed 1 night
눉Private parking would have been helpful as I had to leave my car in a public car park overnight.
눇Staff very helpful
16 July 2017

Colin
United Kingdom
6.7

Pleasant
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Classic Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
눉Very poor lighting in bathroom and bedroom.Low energy lighting is morally great but you need to be able to shave in safety and read in bed. No towel rails in bathroom.
눇Breakfast good quality and hot
11 July 2017

Jillian
United Kingdom
4.6

“Disappointed”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
눉Was given a map by receptionist on arrival with wrong directions for parking, drove round the town twice , given Wrong room to the one booked and confirmed by hotel, after talks we we're moved but wasn't warned about tiny spiral stone staircase up to room! Room 9, in need of attention , grubby carpet and decor, needs painting and steam clean, on suite dire, shower was a trickle, needs urgent refurb, I'm all for old word and character that's why we chose this place but this was not acceptable .
눇Location was good, decent food, friendly staff, who tried to put things right......
11 July 2017

Paul
United Kingdom
5.5

“The room did not come up to the standard displayed on the website.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Room with Four-Poster Bed
- • Stayed 2 nights
눉The room did not look like the rooms displayed on the website, no curtain just thin light blinds. the four poster bed had no drapes on it, just bare woods mirror was just propped against a wall. Fire instructions were not on display just shoved to the back of a drawer. The shower tray had staining on it (Light Brown) & generally did not appear to be worth £110 per night.
눇We liked the food, the staff were friendly the mattress was comfortable.
10 July 2017

Nancy
USA

4 helpful votes
9.6

“Historical Gatehouse with a Magnificent View”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Classic Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
눉The coffee was not as strong as we like it.
눇The view from our window in room 7 was magnificent! Wells Cathedral framed by the trees on its large green, which is accessible through the back door of the hotel where there are picnic tables which invite one to sample the offerings of their restaurant, Rugantino's. The small lounge also has a view of the green and the cathedral. The scrambled eggs were extraordinarily delicious and the bacon was very good as well. The staff were very helpful and gracious, especially in their help with our heaviest bag up the steep winding staircase of this historically important ancient gatehouse. Our bed was very comfortable and the bathroom spacious, with a great shower.
10 July 2017

Anonymous
United Kingdom
4.2

“Wouldn't stay again - very outdated”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
눉Room was left unlocked whilst we were out, receptionist didn't want to take luggage upstairs for us, bathroom smelt and shower was rubbish, stairs were dangerous (particularly if you are elderly or find it difficult to walk), photo on booking.com was nothing like the room we were given
9 July 2017

Marius
United Kingdom
7.9

Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Room with Four-Poster Bed
- • Stayed 2 nights
눉very hard bed
눇excellent restauarant

The Ancient Gatehouse

Most popular facilities

Guests love...

Lock in a great price for your upcoming stay

Availability

See availability Property surroundings – Great location - show map

Closest landmarks

Restaurants and markets

Natural beauty

Closest airports

Rugantino

6 reasons to choose The Ancient Gatehouse

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Enjoyable

Richard

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Anonymous

Roger

Lesley

Martin

Terence

Richard

Colin

Jillian

Paul

Nancy

Anonymous

Marius

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