Castle Hotel

Gate under the Castle Hotel, Taunton
Shown within Somerset
Building
Town	Taunton
Country	England
Coordinates	51°00′55″N 3°06′14″W / 51.0152°N 3.1038°W / 51.0152; -3.1038
Construction
Completed	18th century

The Castle Hotel at Taunton is a hotel and an ex-Michelin-starred restaurant located in the centre of Taunton, Somerset, England. The business is located in a Grade I listed 18th century reconstruction of the former 12th century Norman fortress, Taunton Castle.

Contents 1 Building 2 Hotel and restaurant 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Building

In 1685 the Duke of Monmouth used Taunton Castle as a base before his troop's defeat by King James II at Sedgemoor. Judge Jeffreys then held his Bloody Assizes in the Great Hall of the Castle.

The main building today, which was at one time known as Clarke's Hotel, was built in the late 18th century. The building was then added in the 20th century, with a top floor addition.^[1]

The building incorporates Castle Bow a Grade I listed building which originally formed the east gate to the Castle precincts. It still has 13th century chamfered arches, and corner buttresses with setoffs.^[2]

[edit] Hotel and restaurant

The Chapman family have been running the hotel for 50 years. Catering is available in the restaurant and a brasserie. Head Chefs have included Christopher Oakes, Gary Rhodes and Phil Vickery.^[3] While Christopher Oakes was head chef the restaurant gained a Michelin star which was later lost and has been regained by the current head chef is Richard Guest. He also holds 3 AA rosettes.

In May 2009, the business featured in the BBC2 series Keep it in the Family.^[4]

[edit] See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in Taunton Deane

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Castle Hotel website