This cat gatecrashed one couple’s hotel stay

You’ve driven nearly 250 miles. You’ve checked into a hotel. And finally drifted off to sleep. Just kidding. Because there’s a strange cat trying to snag a spot in the bed.

That’s exactly what happened to Sarah and Paul Shepherd during a stopover in Taunton. When the couple, who where on route to a holiday in St Ives, were rudely awakened by a strange cat. WhoImagine this: You’ve driven nearly 250 miles, checked into a hotel, and finally drifted off to sleep—only to wake up to a cat demanding to share your bed.

That’s exactly what happened to Sarah and Paul Shepherd during a stopover in Taunton last month.

The couple, en route to St Ives, were startled awake when an unexpected feline visitor. Who jumped through their hotel window, headbutted Paul awake, and made himself right at home. (Classic.) 

The midnight intruder was Winston, a 12-year-old black cat who had slipped away from home and found the real five-star accommodation: a Premier Inn bed and two cat-loving humans at his service.

Sarah and Paul, who have cats of their own, checked him over for injuries and tried to gently persuade him back outside. But Winston had other plans. When he settled in for the night, Sarah took to social media.

A quick post in local lost-and-found pet groups had results within minutes. By 5:30 AM, Sarah’s phone was buzzing with messages—including one from a relative of Winston’s owner, who had been searching for him all night. Thankfully, Winston was reunited with his very relieved human later that morning.

Even the Premier Inn staff were charmed by their unexpected guest. “We’re proud to welcome guests from all over the world,” said duty team member Amber Norman, “and this unexpected four-legged visitor has certainly made us smile! Clearly, he just couldn’t resist taking a nap on our comfy beds.”