Relaxing B&B with views of woodland and fields, a cottage garden and friendly poodle. On a quiet lane, a stroll from the middle of Mells
2 rooms
Rooms sleep 2
Your enquiry details
2 Guests 26 Apr 24 - 26 Apr 24
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£125 per night
The Experience
Mells is a treasure with its medieval centre and liberal sprinkling of charming cottages. You’ll find Vicky and John’s attractive house up a lane in the quiet wooded valley on the edge of the village.
It’s a home with a friendly feel and entertaining hosts. Sleep well in a bedroom in the eaves, listen to the hoot of owls at night and birdsong in the morning and come down for a generous breakfast in the kitchen: delicious local bread, fruit and eggs laid by happy hens within a cockerel’s crow of the kitchen.
Sit out in the sunny cottage garden, head off on walks from the door. A 10-minute stroll through the village takes you back centuries – thatched houses, a beautiful church (famous for its Munnings equine statue and the graves of Ronnie Knox and Siegfried Sassoon), a tithe barn – and a particularly welcoming, highly recommended coaching inn, The Talbot.
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We think you'll love
- Sitting at the kitchen table eating Vicky's legendary breakfast
- Strolling down to The Talbot Inn for dinner
- The warm welcome from Vicky, John and Pompom the poodle
You should know
- The bathroom has a traditional roll-top bath and shower attachment
- One room has a separate bathroom next door
Essentials
- Swimming pool
- EV charger
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Accommodation
Pricing
- Nightly price
- £125
- 2 Doubles
- £125
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- Flexible
- Check out
- By 11am
- Closed
- Rarely.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Pubs/restaurants 5-minute walk.
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Reviews
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We had a super stay with John and Vicky, a most entertaining and hospitable couple. Our room was cosy, breakfast and cake in the afternoon extremely good and we felt thoroughly looked after. A gorgeous place to stay and so well situated.
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We had another wonderful short stay with John and Vicky (and Pom!) - they couldn't have been more welcoming or accommodating. The house is beautiful and full of charm, and the rooms have everything you need for the best night's sleep in the countryside. Breakfast was also absolutely delicious. Thank you John and Vicky, hope to see you again soon.
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John and Vicky were wonderful hosts and made every effort to accommodate our needs. We made an overnight visit with another couple to attend an event nearby. The B & B is a wonderful unique property in a beautiful scheduled spot. We had a delicious breakfast including vegetarian options and catering for other dietary needs. We would highly recommend this accommodation for a visit to the wonderful village of Mells.
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A truly excellent B&B. John and Vicky was very welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. Rooms were very comfortable and delicious breakfast. If we were visiting this area again we wouldn’t hesitate to stay here.
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This is a truly stunning B&B. John and Vicky have thought of everything to make sure you are comfortable and welcomed. Nothing was too much trouble. Lovely room and delicious breakfast. If we visit this area again we wouldn’t hesitate to stay here.
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Lovely old and interesting house set in a beautiful country village. Big comfortable beds, good breakfast and very attentive hosts - and not forgetting Pom the dog!
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We had a wonderful time in this dreamy house in Mells. John and Pom were excellent hosts. We felt very at home in this beautiful place. Thank you very much for having us.
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Absolutely wonderful. A beautiful home, with fabulous hosts - friendly, fun and welcoming. The breakfast was delicious, and I'd happily make up reasons to return to Mells.
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We have just spent several idyllic days in the pretty village of Mells staying in The Reading Room. Our hosts John and Vicky were extremely friendly and welcoming and made sure we had absolutely everything we needed for our comfort and enjoyment. The rooms were beautifully furnished and the house was in a secluded location yet within easy walking distance of village amenities. It is excellent accommodation and very well placed for exploring this unspoilt part of Somerset. A little gem !
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A lovely stay at Vicky and John’s historic house in the beautiful village of Mells. Very attentive, kind and generous hosts. Breakfast was delicious and the rooms were very comfy and quiet.
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Perfect hosts and location: Vicky & John are a charming & fun couple, and are fantastic hosts who attend to your every need and create a warmth you won’t find find in any hotel. The home-cooked breakfast is superb and, along with their ever welcoming poodle PomPom 🐾, starts your day off with a smile. The house, location, bedrooms & facilities are wonderful, and provide a tranquil place from which to explore the surrounding area or to simply relax & enjoy the historic village itself. Thanks for making our stay so memorable x
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Many thanks to Vicky & John . What a find !. Wonderful hosts , enchanting location, & such an interesting house . Quintessential Sawdays , with a pinch of France , not forgetting the gorgeous Pompom.
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John and Vicky were perfect hosts, breakfast was to die for!! Our room was lovely and the bed so comfortable! It's off the beaten track but you must visit the Talbot 10 mins walk away. Delicious dinner and wine. We will be back!!
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We enjoyed our stay here enormously. Vicki and John are generous and interesting hosts. We enjoyed the art of good conversation with them as well as our stay in their home, full of beautiful objects and many books. Just perfect, not forgetting Pompom!
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We had a most enjoyable stay at the Old Reading Room. John & Vicky are superb hosts. Vicky's breakfasts are really something special. The house and surroundings are beautiful, accommodation exceptionally comfortable and within easy walking distance of the village with the Talbot Inn and Walled Garden a 'must' to visit. Thanks both of you for a really lovely stay. Highly recommended!
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A very comfortable three night stay in John and Vicky's beautiful home. They are delightful and interesting company and went out of their way to make me feel welcome and relaxed. Mells is a beautiful and tranquil village and I came away refreshed and hoping to visit again soon.
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Our first visit to the Old Reading Room. Beautiful old building that has been converted in to an attractive and comfortable home and B&B. Friendly welcome from John and Pom the dog along with lots of information to help us settle in. Pretty bedroom with the cosiest bed and lots of lovely touches. Great breakfast in the morning with fresh fruit, granola, yogurt, and a super cooked breakfast produced on the Aga by Vicky (so much admiration for people who cook on an Aga!!!) :) and plenty of fresh coffee. Thank you for a fabulous stay in such a beautiful location. We'll definitely be back :)
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Delightful welcome to Vicky and John's home, tucked in the woods surrounding Mells. Large comfortable beds to match the wonderful cooked breakfasts - recommend Vicky's mushrooms, John's coffee and great conversation!
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Bed and Breakfast as it should be! Great stay with John and Vicky who were charming hosts and very helpful with local information, bookings for restaurants etc. A fascinating character house in the lovely village of Mells, plus entertainment from Pom Pom the dog of course! Thoroughly recommended.
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Location
The neighbourhood
Mells is a delightful medieval Somerset village. There’s a community-owned shop, post office and café; the walled garden café serving outdoor snacks and drinks from April to October; and the popular Talbot Inn (10-minute walk). Frome is a 10-minute drive – a thriving town with galleries, bars, good restaurants, independent shops and an excellent market on the first Sunday of the month. Babington House (five minutes) has it all: restaurant, bars, spa, events, wedding venue, gardens and more. Longleat or Wells can be reached in 25 minutes, Bath 30. And don’t forget Bruton for Hauser and Wirth art gallery and restaurant, and The Chapel with its huge bread oven (20 minutes).
Local points of interest from Vicky & John Macdonald
- We have signed up to Sawdays CLEAN AND SAFE CHARTER.Stunning medieval Mells. Selwood Street, The famous Talbot Inn, St Andrew's Church, and our lovely friendly community-owned shop, PO and Café.
- Babington House 5 minutes drive (we'll drop you there for weddings). Walks from 1 to 4 hours - detailed written guides.
- 20-30 minutes drive to Wells (amazing Cathedral and interesting medieval town),Roman and Georgian UNESCO-site Bath (all amazing!), Glastonbury (The famous Tor and the home of the music Festival, Bradford and Longleat, Bruton (Hauser and Wirth),
- Close to the Sustrans bike route (and tunnel) to Bath. Great Houses and Gardens to visit - Stourhead (where Chippendale learnt his craft), Montacute House (used for Wolf Hall), Longleat (wonderful house, events and Safari Park)
- 10 minute drive to Frome - the home of vintage clothing, a monthly super-market (town filled with artisan stalls)
- We don't insist on a minimum stay
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Introducing
Vicky & John Macdonald
After spending most of their adult lives in London and abroad, John and Vicky came across their house (and Mells) by pure chance and have been settled here happily for years. With children flown the nest they started B&B in 2013 – initially prompted by the number of visiting wedding guests. They enjoy getting to know their guests and helping them make the most of their visit to this area.
We booked the Old Reading Room for business and pleasure. Sawdays recommendations are always reliable and this stay was outstanding. John and Vicky were most hospitable, interesting, entertaining and they looked after all of our needs. The house itself was both comfortable and unique in character.