The Ilchester Arms takes meetings, dinner parties, birthdays, christenings, anniversaries and weddings in two private function rooms, with up to 45 seated when The Old Florist and the adjoining Bakery Room are used together. The restaurant can also be hired for larger parties, and guests can stay in the inn's bedrooms. The building stands on The Square in Ilchester, a village near Yeovil in Somerset.
Seminars and company events
The Library, on the ground floor at the front of the inn, seats up to 15 around one large square table, which makes it a good fit for a board meeting, a team review or a client lunch. With separate tables it takes up to 20 for a working dinner. The Old Florist, also on the ground floor, has its own entrance and lobby and opens onto the garden area; it takes 28 at one long table or 40 at mixed tables, and suits a training day followed by drinks. Both rooms are close to the bar, and lunch or dinner can be served without the group leaving the room.
Weddings and receptions
The inn advertises wedding venue services and publishes a dedicated wedding brochure. For a smaller wedding breakfast, The Old Florist and the Bakery Room together seat 45, with the garden area next door for drinks. Larger parties can hire the restaurant. Bedrooms upstairs let close family stay on the night.
Rooms and capacities
The Library: up to 15 at one square table or up to 20 at separate tables, ground floor, near the bar. The Old Florist: up to 28 at one long table or 40 at mixed tables, private entrance, own lobby, garden access. The Old Florist with the Bakery Room: sit-down meals for up to 45. Restaurant: available to hire for larger parties. The Lounge is no longer booked for private functions.
Accommodation
The inn offers a range of bedrooms: singles, standard doubles, a superking or twin room, classic and superior family rooms, a deluxe suite and a large ground-floor double or twin. A full English breakfast is included with direct bookings, and one room accepts pets.
Catering
All food is prepared in the inn's own kitchen, and outside caterers are not allowed. Groups choose between sit-down meals and buffets from daily, banquet, buffet and afternoon tea menus. Minimum numbers apply. The bistro uses local, fresh produce where possible and serves lunch daily and dinner from Monday to Saturday.
History and setting
The Ilchester Arms is the village inn on The Square, with a bar open from the morning and a garden area behind The Old Florist. The building is recorded as Grade II listed.
Getting there
The address is The Square, Ilchester, near Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8LN. Yeovil is the nearest town, and the village lies on the main road network of south Somerset.
