The Castle at Taunton is steeped in the drama and romance of English history. Once a Norman fortress, it has been welcoming travellers to the town since the 12th century.
In 1685, the Duke of Monmouth’s officers were heard "roystering at the Castle Inn" before their defeat by the forces of King James II at Sedgemoor. Shortly after, Judge Jeffreys held his Bloody Assize in the Great Hall of the Castle. Today the Castle lives at peace with its turbulent past but preserves the atmosphere of its ancient tradition.
Over the past 60 years, the Castle has been owned and run as a luxury hotel by the Chapman Family. During this time, it has acquired a worldwide reputation for the warmth of its hospitality. The current owner, Kit Chapman, is the author of several books including ‘An Innkeeper’s Diary’, a witty account of a year in the life of the hotel, full of humorous stories about clients and staff. The book also contains details on running a fine establishment and the role of the hotelier. Kit Chapman’s book was also the inspiration behind the popular TV series, ‘Diary of an Innkeeper’ filmed at the Hotel. He is the author of two gastronomical works, ‘Great British Chefs’ volumes 1and 2. His series of twelve TV programmes entitled ‘Simply the Best’, a celebration of British Food, was broadcast on the ITV network and Channel 4 in the early 1990s.
The Castle Restaurant is ranked among the top 40 best places to eat in Britain by The Good Food Guide and is famous for recruiting young, talented, English chefs, giving them free rein to achieve their full potential. Celebrity chefs who began their rise to stardom at The Castle include Gary Rhodes and Phil Vickery. Today, Richard Guest heads the Castle’s kitchen and in 2007 he published his own book of seasonal West Country cooking; entitled ‘Jam with Lamb’(published by Berlinn). |
