# Batcombe Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Discover Batcombe, a hidden Somerset village near Shepton Mallet with a Grade I church and the acclaimed Three Horseshoes inn. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. A hidden Mendip valley village with a legendary country pub Photo © Łukasz Nikoleiski, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants) Batcombe is a small village tucked into a steep, secluded valley cut by the little River Alham, around five miles south-east of Shepton Mallet on the southern flank of the Mendip Hills. It is a parish rather than a place of any size: the census counts fewer than 450 people across Batcombe itself and the outlying hamlets of Westcombe, Spargrove and Eastcombe, and there is little here beyond a church, a pub, a village hall and a scatter of farms and stone cottages threaded along narrow lanes. What Batcombe lacks in scale it makes up for in character. The name comes from the Saxon for "Bat's Valley", and the village has been settled since at least the Domesday Book of 1086, when wool and sheep farming underpinned the local economy, as it did across the Mendips for centuries. Today the setting is quintessentially rural Somerset: sunken lanes, dairy pasture, orchards and long views south towards Bruton and the Blackmore Vale, with the village itself all but hidden in its fold of hills until you are almost upon it. ## Getting to Batcombe Batcombe sits just off the A359 between Shepton Mallet and Bruton, reached via a network of narrow lanes rather than a main road, so a car is by far the easiest way to arrive. Shepton Mallet, about five miles north-west, is the nearest town for shops and services. The closest railway stations are at Bruton and Castle Cary, both a short drive away on the line between London Paddington and Exeter/Penzance, with Castle Cary also served by direct trains from London. Bristol Airport is roughly 40 minutes by car. ## Best time to visit Batcombe Late spring through early autumn suits Batcombe best, when the surrounding lanes and footpaths are at their most walkable and the village's pub garden comes into its own. Summer weekends bring visitors through to Bruton and the Hauser & Wirth gardens, but Batcombe itself stays quiet even in high season. Autumn brings good colour along the Alham valley, while winter has a hushed, hunkered-down charm, best appreciated with a fire and a pint at the village pub. ## Where to stay in Batcombe [All hotels in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/hotels) About staying in Batcombe Batcombe is far too small to offer hotels of its own, but its setting in a quiet fold of the Mendip Hills, midway between Shepton Mallet and Bruton, makes it an appealing base for a countryside stay if you are happy to travel a little for choice. The village's own accommodation is limited to a small number of stylish en-suite rooms above the Three Horseshoes, the celebrated 17th-century inn at its centre, which suits couples wanting a quiet, food-focused stay with a proper local pub on the doorstep. For a wider range of hotels, inns and guesthouses, Bruton and Shepton Mallet are both a short drive away and offer everything from boutique townhouse hotels to traditional coaching inns, while Castle Cary and Wells extend the choice further for those touring this part of Somerset. Wherever you base yourself, the surrounding lanes, dairy pasture and small villages of the Alham valley make for gentle exploring, with Bruton's galleries and restaurants, the gardens at Hauser & Wirth, and the cathedral city of Wells all within easy striking distance. Booking ahead is sensible, particularly for the Three Horseshoes' rooms and for accommodation in Bruton during summer weekends, when the town's popularity with visitors to its galleries and restaurants can make good options scarce. Outside of peak season, this is a part of Somerset that rewards a slower pace: a stay near Batcombe suits those after quiet lanes, good food and easy access to some of the county's best small towns rather than a base geared around a long list of visitor attractions. [Valley View Farm Bed and Breakfast Batcombe, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/valley-view-farm-bed-and-breakfast) [The Old Red Lion North Brewham, Bruton](https://staycation.co.uk/bruton/hotels/the-old-red-lion) [Prestleigh inn Prestleigh, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/prestleigh-inn) [The Old Stables Bed & Breakfast Hurlingpot Farm, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/the-old-stables-bed-breakfast) [Charlton House Spa Hotel Near Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/charlton-house-spa-hotel) [The Well Inn Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/the-well-inn) [Relaxinnz The Highwayman Inn Cannards Grave, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/relaxinnz-the-highwayman-inn) [Manor House Inn Wraxall Rd, Shepton Mallet](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/hotels/manor-house-inn) ## Things to Do in Batcombe [All attractions in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions) Top things to do near Batcombe Batcombe is not a destination for sightseeing in its own right, but it makes a quiet, well-placed base for exploring some of Somerset's best small-town and countryside attractions. - **St Mary the Virgin, Batcombe** — the village's Grade I listed parish church, dating largely from the 15th and 16th centuries, is famous locally for its handsome pinnacled tower and a peal of six bells cast in 1760 by the Bilbie foundry. - **Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton** — a free-to-visit contemporary art gallery in restored farm buildings just outside Bruton, with a Piet Oudolf-designed garden, changing exhibitions and a well-regarded farm-to-table restaurant. - **Nunney Castle** — the romantic, moated ruins of a small 14th-century castle in the village of Nunney, with a riverside footpath walk on to the neighbouring hamlet of Whatley. - **Bruton** — a handsome small town of independent shops, galleries and cafes a few miles south, worth an afternoon in its own right. - **Wells and Glastonbury** — England's smallest city, with its cathedral and Bishop's Palace, and the abbey ruins and Tor at Glastonbury, are both within easy reach for a day out. [Laser Assault Somerset ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/laser-assault-somerset) [East Somerset Railway ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/east-somerset-railway) [Mill On The Brue ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/mill-on-the-brue) [Nunney Castle ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/nunney-castle) [Shepton Mallet Prison ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/shepton-mallet-prison) [Shepton Mallet Lido ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/shepton-mallet-lido) [Stourhead ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/stourhead) [Walled Garden at Mells ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions/walled-garden-at-mells) ## Where to Eat in Batcombe [All restaurants in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants) Food and drink near Batcombe Batcombe punches well above its weight for food thanks to the Three Horseshoes, a 17th-century village inn owned by chef Margot Henderson of Rochelle Canteen fame, known for its daily-changing, seasonal menu, real ales and local ciders, and regularly ranked among the UK's top gastropubs. Beyond the village, nearby Westcombe Dairy produces well-regarded farmhouse cheese, and Bruton offers a wider spread of cafes, restaurants and the Hauser & Wirth restaurant for a more substantial night out. [Redwood Rare Breeds ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/redwood-rare-breeds) [Batcombe Village Hall Trust ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/batcombe-village-hall-trust) [The Old Pharmacy ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/the-old-pharmacy) [Matt's Kitchen ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/matt-s-kitchen) [Heal Somerset Limited ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/heal-somerset-limited) [🍽️Restaurant Lamyatt Village Hall ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/lamyatt-village-hall) [Mill on the Brue ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/mill-on-the-brue) [SunM Chinese Restaurant ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants/sunm-chinese-restaurant) ## Attractions Near Batcombe [All attractions in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Batcombe. [2 mi Laser Assault Somerset Bruton · ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/bruton/attractions/laser-assault-somerset) [3 mi East Somerset Railway Shepton Mallet · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/attractions/east-somerset-railway) [3 mi Mill On The Brue Bruton · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/bruton/attractions/mill-on-the-brue) [5 mi Nunney Castle Nunney · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/nunney/attractions/nunney-castle) [5 mi Shepton Mallet Prison Shepton Mallet · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/attractions/shepton-mallet-prison) [5 mi Shepton Mallet Lido Shepton Mallet · ⭐ 4.3](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/attractions/shepton-mallet-lido) [6 mi Stourhead Warminster · ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/warminster/attractions/stourhead) [7 mi Walled Garden at Mells Mells · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/mells/attractions/walled-garden-at-mells) ## Camping in Batcombe(1) [All campsites in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/camping) About camping in Batcombe Camping right in Batcombe itself is limited, but the surrounding Mendip countryside around Shepton Mallet and Bruton has a small, appealing scattering of sites suited to a quiet rural break. As everywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so pitching up in fields or woodland here requires booking a proper site or securing permission in advance rather than simply finding a spot for the night. The terrain around Batcombe is classic Mendip dairy country: steep-sided valleys, sunken lanes and pasture rather than dramatic hills, which makes for gentle, sheltered camping rather than exposed wild-camping territory. Nearby Batcombe Vale, a short drive south towards Bruton, is a well-regarded small campsite set around former watercress ponds in a peaceful valley, popular with couples and adults seeking a tranquil, off-grid-feeling stay with good facilities. Further afield, the wider Mendip Hills and the countryside around Shepton Mallet and Wells offer additional campsites and touring parks, generally with easier access for families and larger groups. Late spring through early autumn is the best window for camping in this part of Somerset: the ground is drier underfoot, the lanes and footpaths around the Alham valley are at their most inviting, and evenings in a pub garden like that of the Three Horseshoes make a fitting end to a day outdoors. Somerset weather is changeable even in summer, so it is worth packing for rain regardless of forecast, and sites here can fill at weekends when visitors combine a stay with trips to Bruton's galleries and restaurants. For those who would rather have four solid walls and a proper bed while still enjoying a rural setting, glamping options in the wider area range from shepherd's huts to safari tents, typically offering a fire pit, some basic kitchen facilities and considerably more comfort than a standard tent, without losing the quiet, green seclusion that makes this corner of Somerset worth seeking out. [Batcombe Vale Campsite ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/camping/batcombe-vale-campsite) [Redwood Rare Breeds Campsite ⭐ 4.5 · from £25/night](https://staycation.co.uk/shepton-mallet/camping/redwood-rare-breeds-campsite) [Chesterblade Hills ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/camping/chesterblade-hills) [Heal Somerset ⭐ 4.7 · from £36/night](https://staycation.co.uk/frome/camping/heal-somerset) [Kingsettle Camping Retreat ⭐ 4.8 · from £30/night](https://staycation.co.uk/bruton/camping/kingsettle-camping-retreat) [Bath and West Showground Campsite ⭐ 4.4 · from £20/night](https://staycation.co.uk/frome/camping/bath-and-west-showground-campsite) [The Brook House Inn C S ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/camping/the-brook-house-inn-c-s) [Hadspen Glamping ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/castle-cary/camping/hadspen-glamping) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Batcombe [All cottages in Batcombe →](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/cottages) [Woodland Corner 3 bed · sleeps 5 · from £610](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/woodland-corner-ukc7519) [🏡Cottage Knoll View Ranch 5 bed · sleeps 12 · from £1,932](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/knoll-view-ranch-uk51676) [🏡Cottage Magpie Cottage 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £332](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/magpie-cottage-syk928412) [Moorleaze 10 cottages · from £861](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/moorleaze-cheddar-epj) [🏡Cottage 26 Tansey 4 bed · sleeps 6 · from £578](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/26-tansey-syk1122527) [🏡Cottage The Stone Barns 3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £427](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/the-stone-barns-syk951336) [Leigh Holt 2 bed · sleeps 5 · from £410](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/leigh-holt-syk924356) [The Chill Garden Room 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £317](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset/cottages/the-chill-garden-room-syk1182814) ## Common questions about Batcombe How many campsites are there in Batcombe? We list 1 campsites in and around Batcombe, of which 1 take tents. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Batcombe Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DBatcombe%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Batcombe - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/batcombe/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in Somerset](https://staycation.co.uk/somerset) - [🧭 All of the South West](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/south-west) ## Staycation ideas for Batcombe [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations) [The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-staycations-for-families)