Luxury B&B in Porlock, Exmoor National Park

When was Bossington Hall built? The main house was built in 1911, with a rear extension added in 1923. It is Grade II listed and sits within Exmoor National Park — one of the few remaining privately owned Edwardian country houses open to guests in the South West.

What makes Bossington Hall different from a regular hotel? Bossington Hall is adults-only and owner-managed, set in 8 acres of private grounds within Exmoor National Park. Unlike a hotel, you’ll be welcomed by your hosts Guy and Annie personally, and have exclusive access to an honesty bar, sauna suite, and the UK’s oldest surviving private squash court — none of it shared with the public.

Is Bossington Hall suitable for a romantic couples break? It’s one of the most romantic retreats in Exmoor. The hall is strictly adults-only, so there’s a genuinely peaceful atmosphere throughout. Combine that with the private sauna suite, honesty bar and 8 acres of grounds and you have all the ingredients for a proper escape.

Is Bossington Hall good for walking holidays? Ideal. The South West Coast Path passes directly through Bossington village, and Exmoor National Park is on the doorstep. You can walk straight from the front door to dramatic moorland, wooded valleys, ancient woodland, and the Bristol Channel coast — no car needed. We’re happy to suggest routes for all abilities, and have a range of maps and guide books.

Is Bossington Hall in Exmoor National Park? Yes — Bossington Hall sits within Exmoor National Park in Somerset, close to the village of Porlock and the beautiful Bossington Beach. It’s one of the most unspoilt corners of the National Park. The entire view from the terrace is all Exmoor National Park

How far is Bossington Hall from nearby towns and cities? We’re approximately 5 miles from Minehead, 35 miles from Taunton, and around 55 miles from Bristol — roughly an hour’s drive from junction 23 or 25 of the M5. The nearest train station is Taunton, from where a taxi or hire car is the most practical option as there is no direct public transport to Bossington. A bus does run from Taunton to Minehead, and another to Porlock (alight at  Allerford for the closest point)

What awards has Bossington Hall won? We’ve been recognised by some of the most respected names in UK hospitality: Taste of the West Gold (four years in a row), Bristol Bath & Somerset Tourism Gold, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice, and the Good Hotel Guide. We were also a finalist in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence — something we’re particularly proud of as it’s judged by industry professionals.

Do you accept dogs? Yes — dogs are welcome in our Embercombe and Martinhoe rooms. Maximum 2 dogs per booking. Please let us know in advance if you’re bringing one. Dog-friendly walks start directly from the front door, with miles of footpaths, moorland tracks, and coast path right on the doorstep. You’re welcome to have breakfast with your dog — we set up a separate table to keep everyone happy.

Are the rooms en-suite? Every room has its own sole-use private bathroom — none are shared. Some are en-suite, others have a private bathroom just outside the room. Some have baths, others showers only. Full details are on the B&B Info page.

Can you cater for dietary requirements at breakfast? Of course — gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs are all happily catered for. Just let us know in advance. Our kitchen handles seafood, gluten, and nuts, and all staff have allergen awareness training.

What time is check-in and check-out? Check-in is between 3pm and 6pm for a personal welcome from your hosts. Check-out is by 10.30am. If you’re arriving after 6pm, no problem — we have a straightforward self check-in system with no apps or key codes required. Just let us know your estimated arrival time.

Do you serve evening meals? We’re a Bed and Breakfast, so we don’t offer a full dinner service. However, we do have, in The Nook, a selection of chef prepared meals for you to heat, generous cheese and biscuits buffet available alongside our honesty bar in the evenings — perfect for a relaxed night in. The nearest pub and restaurants are in Porlock village, about a mile and a half away and an easy walk. We send all guests a curated local dining guide before arrival to help you book a table.

Where are the nearest pubs and restaurants? Porlock village is about a mile and a half away on foot and has several good options. Porlock Weir has two more, and Dunster offers a wider selection a little further afield. We email a personalised dining guide to all guests before arrival.

Do you have Wi-Fi? Yes — and it’s proper fast. We run Starlink satellite broadband with over a dozen access points throughout the house and grounds, so you’ll have strong, reliable coverage whether you’re in your room, the gardens, or the squash court pavilion.

I have an electric vehicle — can I charge it? Yes, we have a Type 2 socket running at 4.8kW. There is a charge for use — please mention it when booking so we can make sure it’s available for you.

How far is the beach? Bossington Beach is about a 15-minute walk from our car park. It’s a pebble beach rather than sand, dramatic and wild in the best possible way, with views across the Bristol Channel. Well worth building into your stay.

Can I use the tennis and squash courts? Absolutely — both are free for guests. We have rackets, balls, and equipment available in the pavilion. The squash court is believed to be the oldest surviving private squash court in the UK, dating back to the original construction of the hall in 1911 — a genuine piece of sporting history.

Who owns Bossington Hall? Bossington Hall is owned and run by Guy Dewdney, with Annie managing the hospitality side. Guy is on site most days — usually somewhere between the gardens and the kitchen sink. It’s very much a hands-on, personal operation, which is exactly how they like it.

Is there parking? Yes — one space per room. Please park within the marked bays. If you’re arriving in a larger vehicle or with a trailer, just let us know in advance.

How do I book? The easiest way is via our online booking system, which shows live availability and always has our best available rate. You can also call or email us directly — we’re happy to help with any questions before you book.