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The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel

Property class: 3

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Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; Italian cuisine
Front of property
Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, individually decorated
Exterior

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
20 Sadler Street, Wells, England, BA5 2SE
  • Place, Wells Cathedral
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Vicar's Close
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Wells Bishop's Palace
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Bristol (BRS-Bristol Intl.)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Room options

Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Single Room, 1 Single Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

City Double or Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

Superior Double Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, individually decorated

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

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  • Breakfast available
4.1 out of 5, Very good, 423 reviews
The price is €57
includes taxes & fees
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About this property

The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel

Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free guesthouse has express check-out and a garden. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a front desk safe and multilingual staff assistance.
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel offers 9 accommodations with complimentary bottles of water and a hairdryer. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. 18-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.

This Wells guest house provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 25+ Mbps. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Additionally, rooms include free toiletries and portable fans. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel. During your stay, you'll be connected to a shopping centre and just a quick walk from Wells & Mendip Museum. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and breakfast (surcharge).
  • Free Wi-Fi (speed: 25+ Mbps)
  • Enjoy Italian cuisine while dining at Rugantino
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Amenities include a front desk safe, multilingual staff and a terrace
  • Steps from Wells & Mendip Museum and Wells Cathedral
There's a restaurant on site. Public spaces have free WiFi. A terrace, multilingual staff, and a garden are also featured at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel.

This 3-star Wells guest house is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy cooked-to-order breakfast on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM and at the weekend from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
Rugantino – This restaurant specialises in Italian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Reservations are required.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking within 100 metres
  • Street parking available

Food and drink

  • Cooked-to-order breakfast available for a fee 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on weekends; GBP 15 for adults and GBP 15 for children
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Rugantino

Family friendly

  • Separate bedroom

Conveniences

  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1473
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 18-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Phone
  • Portable fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: GBP 24
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Thursday - Monday (8:00 AM - 10:00 PM) and Tuesday - Wednesday (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email with check-in instructions and lockbox information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 7:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact this property in advance to arrange check-in.

Access methods

Staffed front desk, lockbox

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: from approximately GBP 15.00 for adults and from GBP 15.00 for children
  • Late check-out fee: GBP 24 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
This property's front desk is open during the following times:
  • Thursday - Monday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 24 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 7:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours will receive an email with special check-in information and lockbox information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Please note that this property can refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, which include pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • Children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Wells
Ancient Gatehouse Hotel
Ancient Gatehouse Wells
Ancient Gatehouse
The Ancient Gatehouse
The Ancient Gatehouse Wells
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Wells
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Guesthouse
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Guesthouse Wells

The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 126 out of 205 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 56 out of 205 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 205 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 205 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 205 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Carey Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice staff good location the room was comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Joely

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel was an excellent place to stay in Wells - super convenient location in town with great cathedral view. Room was comfortable with nice touches. Staff was very kind. The breakfast was also a highlight that I would recommend, the breakfast chef does an excellent job and it is a great spread!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Thomas

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Historically layered building attached to Brown's Gatehouse (I'm not sure if one of the rooms is literally IN the gatehouse?) and overlooking the cathedral. Rooms located above an Italian restaurant, they're pleasant but very much Inn or B&B type, so you hear every creaky footstep, especially if on the first floor. Ear plugs recommended. Sometimes when you stay at a hotel with a restaurant you might be offered a free drink or discount — given in this case you can hear the restaurant until around 11pm, and you're dodging waiters as you go in and out the building, it might be a nice touch to offer something extra to paying guests? (along with those ear plugs…)
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
What stood out??? Well, for one, it was the staff. They welcomed me and gave me a lovely room. I had a table booked for 10 of my family, and the food was excellent. The wine was superb too, and I asked for a favour, which they delivered. This is one of my favourite hotels in the UK and will be my go-to whenever I go to Somerset to see my family. The only downside is the parking, but that is minuscule compared to the service I received from The Ancient Gatehouse. Well done all.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Fantastic friendly helpful staff...real Italians! Oh, and great breakfast lady from Ulster. The room was very clean with nice touches such as still & sparkling water. The view over the cathedral was stunning when enjoying coffee & a hot cooked breakfast. Just great to stay in a real family run establishment.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Una

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
View from bedroom over Wells Cathedral. Greatvlocation
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marc t D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely old building. Great old style bed
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

roger

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, some really friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I had a lovely stay here and the breakfast was delicious. Thank you
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Yes , it was very clean. The staff were very helpful and attentive and managed to get us a dinner table at short notice.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sonja

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
fantastic hotel beautifully decorated room. Wells is an amazing city to visit.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Christopher

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was very clean and the staff helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very central, parking easy on road cross to cathedral. Fab view of cathedral from breakfast, ate dinner in the Italian in the ground floor - very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Declan

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice, plus the Italian restaurant

Parking was as advised, it is Salisbury you have to contend with that. Thank you.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abdul

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Everywhere is very walkable. Wide range of shops and restaurants. The Gatehouse is unique and charming. The hotel staff are very nice and accommodating. Great value for money. Beds comfortable. Room very clean. Overall a great experience and the city of Wells is a must-see
View from dining room
Dining room
Lobby
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Megan

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

Great service, good overall

A charming hotel in a lovely area. Staff were attentive and friendly. Restaurant had incredible food and ambience. I booked a single room which was fine. It was quite dusty in the room, notably on the top of the wide picture rail going around the bed. I only noticed when settling down to bed, I’m sure staff would have cleaned otherwise. The corner the bed was in was also a little dark and dingy and pillows were naff. Can hear other guests quite clearly particularly when they are coming up the stairs. Steep stairs up to the rooms. Beautiful view out the room window and good shower and bathroom. Would stay again but in a different room. Worth noting as well that hotel is unmanned overnight. Staff leave the restaurant in the late evening and there is no staff in until 8am ish. There are emergency numbers but worth knowing for safety and security.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Brilliant overnight stay

Stayed here for one night, staff were all very friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. We stayed in room 2 which was at the front. Lovely big room with 4 poster bed. Very comfortable and clean. There are lots of hotels in Wells but I’m glad we chose this one.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Edward

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
NO PARKIING Despite not being able to reach the hotel because of a road block, not being able to speak to anyone when we phoned (and we tried several times), being offered parking options that were not available or impractical as a stop from our check-in to check-out, meaning we had to carry our luggage through town from Waitrose long-stay car park, no reception staff for most of our stay and not being able to get breakfast in the hotel, we actually liked the place. The location is ideal for visiting the cathedral and also for excellent restaurants and coffee shops. The passage to our room felt a little like a worm hole; it goes in all directions at rather curious angles. The room offered a view across the green to the cathedral. The clock chimes every quarter; you’ll hear it if you’re awake but it didn’t keep us awake. WiFi in our room was only 6mbps down at best – but even if there a WAP on our floor, the thickness of the walls meant it would have struggled. The bathroom has a bath and a hose with a shower head but no shower. Hot water supply is good. The room had a nice feel about it. The building is definitely old and the hotel has an eccentric charm. We’d stay there again, if we were not driving.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Tony

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Hotel facilities only open Monday left to our own devices Tuesday and Wednesday. No breakfast available.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely old hotel in magical location

Excellent small historic hotel facing Weeks Cathedral. The view of the Cathedral from my bedroom was magical. Nice breakfast and very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elsa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very characterful, great restaurant, really good food. Doggy friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Charming visit!

We loved our stay at the Ancient Gatehouse. It is just that, ancient and charming. The room was lovely and had a nice clean bathroom. We were fortunate to have a room that looked out over the green and had a view of the cathedral. There is no air conditioning. Very few places in the UK or Europe have AC, these are old buildings. There was a fan and large windows which suited us perfectly. The hotel has an excellent Italian restaurant where we ate dinner. We stayed only one night, but we will definitely return in the future.
View of Wells Cathedral from the Bishops Palace
View from our window (the front is under renovation)
Wells Cathedral
Bedroom
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025