The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel puts you in the heart of Wells, connected to a shopping centre and within steps of Wells & Mendip Museum and Wells Cathedral. Highlights at this guest house include a restaurant and in-room free WiFi. .The restaurant, Rugantino, serves Italian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Added amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a terrace and a garden. Cooked-to-order breakfast is available on weekdays between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM. There's also the convenience of free parking nearby. .With a stay at this 3-property class Wells guest house, you'll be 17.6 km (11 mi) from Cheddar Gorge.
Bristol International Airport (BRS) - 39 min drive
Restaurants
Cathedral Green - 1 min walk
The Quarter Jack - 7 min walk
Fosso Lounge - 3 min walk
Flapjackery - 1 min walk
Coffee#1 - 3 min walk
About this property
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel
Central guesthouse connected to a shopping centre in Wells with a restaurant
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.
9 guestrooms or units
2 levels
Built in 1473
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Express check-out
Staff members are multilingual
Front desk safe
Terrace
Garden
No smoking on site
Dining venue
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.
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
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
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
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB International and Carte Blanche. Cash is not accepted. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
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
Frequently asked questions
What is the cancellation policy at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.
How much does it cost to stay at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
As of 4 July 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel on 6 July 2025 start from AU$171.94, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
What makes The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel a romantic place to stay?
A bar, plus premium bedding in the guestrooms, help set the scene for a romantic weekend at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel.
Does The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel serve breakfast?
You bet, cooked-to-order brekkie is offered on weekdays between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM and weekends between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
No, The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle service.
Is there a bar or restaurant at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
Yep, you can grab a meal at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel's onsite restaurant that serves Italian cuisine.
What time are check-in & check-out at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
Check-in begins at 2 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.
Are pets allowed at The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel?
No, only service animals are allowed.
The Ancient Gatehouse Hotel Reviews
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Dayna
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
8/10 Good
Philip
4 Feb 2025
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.
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.
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
Great stay! The restaurant was great and such an interesting building.
Bethany
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
6/10 Okay
Sharon
Travelled with partner
24 Sept 2024
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
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.
Pretty pink room; stunning four poster; fab bedding; comfy bed; decent bathroom; super central location; quiet enough at night; cool decor. Only suggestions: glad for extra throw but it showed use by a dog and edges of room and around furniture bottoms needs cleaning. Otherwise very clean. FAB FOOD/RESTAURANT!!