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The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel

3.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel

Stunning cathedral with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, set amidst a serene campus.
Enjoy a classic and inviting space with a comfortable bed, dining area, and beautiful views.
Enjoy a warm and inviting dining experience with a beautifully set table and stunning city views.
Experience the charm of this historic building, featuring a stone tower and outdoor dining area with picnic tables.
Explore historic streets lined with traditional buildings and a prominent stone archway.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

Map
20 Sadler Street, Wells, England, BA5 2SE
  • Wells Cathedral
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Wells Bishop's Palace
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Wookey Hole Caves
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Bristol (BRS-Bristol Intl.)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double or Twin Room

Deluxe Double or Twin Room | Premium bedding, individually decorated, individually furnished, desk

Deluxe Double or Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Single Room, 1 Twin Bed

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

City Double or Twin Room

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

Superior Double Room

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

Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Similar properties

The building features a distinctive conical roof and a light beige exterior.

Wookey Hole Hotel

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
4.2 out of 5, Very Good, (1005)
$139 nightly
The price is $139 total
includes taxes & fees
Wookey Hole Hotel

About this property

The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel

3-star Wells guest house with 1 restaurants, connected to a shopping center
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 bottled water and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. 18-inch flat-screen televisions come with digital channels.

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

The guesthouse offers a restaurant. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Wells guesthouse also offers a terrace, multilingual staff, and a garden.

The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel is a smoke-free property.

Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available for a surcharge on weekdays between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
Rugantino - This restaurant specializes 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.

Languages

English, Italian, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • 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
  • Smoking not allowed

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 available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
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
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

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties

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

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 102 out of 173 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 49 out of 173 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 173 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 173 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 173 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sarah

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Lovely stay with an excellent welcome from very attentive hotel and restaurant staff. Room and bathroom was a bit smaller than I expected, and could do with a bit more modernising, TV was very small and floors quite uneven and creaky. But that kind of added to the atmosphere of an ancient gatehouse. Next time I would request a room with a view of the cathedral as I think these must be more spacious.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Amanda

Room was in need of updating, carpet was dirty. Staff were pleasant, but failed to tell us that they were not open on the day we left so no breakfast would be served. We just left our key at the closed desk. The restaurant looked very nice, but didn’t get a chance to try it.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
All the staff at the hotel were so friendly and helpful. The room was beautiful, clean, comfortable, excellent facilities.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Beautiful Hotel, Amazing Breakfast, Awful Bed

The outside of this hotel is absolutely beautiful, with the historic Gatehouse plus connecting building and the location is complete perfection. I can’t imagine there is a better placed hotel in the whole of Wells. The staff were extremely welcoming and could not do enough for us. The breakfast is one of the best breakfast’s I have ever had in a hotel - no exaggeration! All made to order, with plenty of Hot Drinks and juices. Pretty much the only thing that let down our stay was the bed. The bed was so uncomfortable that at around 2am of not being able to sleep I actually decided to sleep on the floor! I did over head the staff talking about how the rooms and furniture were getting a refurb soon - which is promising. So although 3 stars feels harsh… I think it is fair as the bed was so bad that we could not properly sleep here.
Amazing Breakfast
Hotel Exterior
Cathedral View from breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Traveled with partner, Traveled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic location directly opposite the cathedral. As it's the old gatehouse, the stairs to the rooms take a bit of effort as there is no lift but you do get a real feeling of originality. We ate in the hotel and the food was excellent, as was the breakfast. The staff were all very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracey

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Possibly the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever stayed in and the most friendly staff possible!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dominic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved everything about it, the staff were amazing and can’t praise the Chef enough… the restaurant is top notch.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just as it is described on the Expedia website. We loved it. Sadly only a one night stopover but we will definitely return. It was a stunning view (Wells Cathedral) in such a comfortable room. Wonderful!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Richard

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Cathedral visit.

We had never visited Wells and was interested in going to the Cathedral and Bishops Palace. Hotel looked well placed for this. Overall a good hotel with a good restaurant. Room a bit snug and absence of shower not great for visitors of a certain age. Bath looked like too much of a slip hazard.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dayna

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Views of the Cathedral. Excellent location. Delicious Italian restaurant on-site with many options all around. Andy (manager) and the entire staff so friendly and helpful. Highly recommended for the price - 2 star at 4 star service. Parking not that convenient, but that is expected.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Nice place, great staff

Can't fault the service, the breakfast was great, the staff friendly and they even did us pizza as we was running very late and missed dinner. The room was okay, only negative was the bed was small and you couldn't stand to shower, had to sit in the bath and hold the shower head, but it was fine.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Neil Porter

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

Room3

Room a bit tired in places but clean and comfortable bed with top view.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Miranda

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacqui

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

Great nights stay

We had a wonderful nights stay. The location is perfect for visiting Wells and backs onto the Cathedral green. The bed was very comfortable, a bit high maybe but such a good nights sleep. Can’t comment on the food as the restaurant was not open the night of our visit.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

georgiana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very very helpful and friendly. My traveling companion developed a medical emergency and they facilitated everything. My complaint is with Expedia it is very unusable in the UK I had to call home to get family to cancel reservations etc. etc. I would highly suggest you make The ability to contact you more more easily
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany M

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is beautiful, the staff great and the restaurant amazing. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bethany

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay! The restaurant was great and such an interesting building.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Sharon

Traveled with partner
The rooms were tired looking but bathrooms renovated and nice. Afternoon and evening staff were great but morning staff rude. restaurant on site fabulous No parking and off site parking very hard to find and long walk with cases. I would not recommend staying there
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderfully located in this historic city
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicky

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A little gem of a hotel. Narrow and steep staircases so probably not ideal for people with mobility issues but it really is beautiful. I stayed in room 4, small and pretty with the most amazing view of the cathedral. Central location, comfortable and clean and excellent value for money.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

a

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

Lovely hotel in a great location.

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024