The Newt in Somerset: A Georgian Gem in the English Countryside

A delightful first glance

Driving down the winding path towards Hadspen House, the heart of The Newt, you are immediately struck by the grandeur of the Palladian-fronted façade. The Georgian architecture, framed by lush trees and meticulously manicured gardens, offers a glimpse into the opulence that awaits inside.

The Newt's main spaces are a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary style. The oak-paneled walls and intricately carved woodwork pay homage to the estate's Georgian heritage, while modern lighting fixtures and eclectic decor items introduce a playful, bohemian touch​. The estate itself is a haven for garden lovers. The gardens, designed by Patrice Taravella, are a series of artistic marvels, from the baroque-inspired Parabola walled garden with its 267 varieties of apple trees to the fragrant Victorian garden.

Roomy accommodations in converted spaces

The majority of the rooms are situated in Hadspen House and the adjoining stable house. All of the spaces were converted from the original estate and designed for both individuals and crowds. Loft-style bedrooms and converted stable rooms are filled with lofty four-poster beds, cozy and plush furniture and large windows that overlook the grounds. A romantic hide-away, dubbed The Granary, is a mix of exposed stone walls and wood accents, along with a shower room concealed beneath the floor. For groups of travelers, the Clock House offers four rooms situated around a common lounge and direct access to the spa.

Across the grounds, The Farmyard is a former dairy farm offering more spacious accommodations and suites, along with a pool, bar and all-day kitchen. At the top of the Farmhouse, accessed via a private stairwell, you’ll find a floor made for families with multiple bedrooms and common spaces. The Farmyard is also where you will find the complimentary drinks at the Garner Bar and all the bikes and buggies you’ll need to explore the area.

{gallery3}

Garden-to-table with a sidecar of ‘Somerset gold’

Dining at The Newt has a focus on the estate’s bountiful produce and rich agricultural heritage. The Botanical Rooms, the main restaurant, delivers a garden-to-table dining experience where the menu is inspired by the seasonal bounty of the estate's own gardens. Dishes like grilled purple broccoli with black garlic butter (one word: YUM.) and Cornish hake cooked over fire highlight the freshness and quality of local ingredients. The oak-paneled dining room exudes an elegant vibe, perfect for savoring the thoughtful and beautifully presented dishes.

The Garden Café, ideal for a more casual lunch, offers a menu that changes with the seasons, featuring dishes such as braised chard with roast lamb and roasted Jerusalem artichokes with spelt risotto. For a taste of traditional Somerset fare, guests can visit the farm shop, which provides a range of locally produced cheeses, freshly baked bread, and meats sourced from local farms.

Somerset is the apple country of the UK, so it’s fitting that the highlight of The Newt’s alcohol offerings is hard cider (that’s ‘cyder’ to the old-school English artisans). The production has been going on in this area for centuries, so you can assume they know a thing or two about finding the right flavors for your apple-infused buzz. You can explore the small farmlands around the property (while spotting the many sheep grazing around the area), but head to the old barns that house the cyder presses for a tour and tasting of the aptly named ‘Somerset gold.’

Garden-infused spa treatments will have you melting into the earth

Housed in a converted cow barn, the spa features a vast heated swimming pool that extends outdoors to a hydrotherapy pool overlooking the medicinal herb garden. Treatments range from Rasul mud rituals (an Arabian treatment that aims to release toxins from the skin and hopefully our soul) to hammam water therapies, all designed to rejuvenate mind and body. Complimentary yoga classes and sound healing sessions add to the holistic wellness offerings.

We’ll be booking a spa garden experience, where the therapist invites us for a barefoot stroll through the medieval herbal garden. You’ll harvest the herbs of your choosing, that’ll be used in your treatment, all while waking up your senses for a wind-down massage or warming facial.

Other treatments feature products from their partnership with The Organic Pharmacy, a clean skincare brand known worldwide by the best of beauty therapists.

{gallery2}

Run off to art galleries nearby, or simply stay on property for the…bees?

Somerset isn’t just about apples, it’s also an art-lovers haven. Hauser & Wirth, located a short drive away in Bruton, is a must-visit. This gallery is housed in a beautifully restored farmstead and showcases works from both established and emerging artists, with a particular focus on innovative and thought-provoking pieces. The surrounding landscape, designed by renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, adds to the gallery's charm with its perennial meadow and art installations integrated into the natural environment. Additionally, the Roth Bar, a site-specific and ‘living’ piece of art within the gallery, is a fully functioning bar and eatery that offers a unique space to relax and enjoy local culinary delights.

Another gem in the town of Bruton is the Nadia Waterfield Fine Art gallery. Housed in a converted warehouse, this gallery offers a curated selection of contemporary artworks across various media, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics and photography. The gallery prides itself on showcasing original and intriguing pieces from both UK-based and international artists. Both gallery’s proximity to other cultural and historic sites in Bruton (like the Dovecote) makes it a perfect addition to a day of exploration in this creatively vibrant town.

Situated in the historic market town of Castle Cary, David Simon Contemporary specializes in British painting, sculpture, ceramics, and glass. The gallery features a diverse collection of works by both established and emerging artists, making it a fascinating stop for anyone interested in contemporary British art. The gallery is located on the High Street, so make sure to explore the charming surroundings of Castle Cary. A bit further south, you’ll find Cadbury Castle, a millennia-old fortress with ties to the legend of King Arthur with extensive walking areas.

When you’ve soaked up enough art, turn to the Historical Trust sites around the area, including the Elizabethan Renaissance stunner Montacute House, the medieval Lytes Cary Manor, and the limestone cliffs at Cheddar Gorge.

{gallery}

Back at the Newt, you’ll be charmed by a host of garden and bee-related activities the property has to offer. Starting with tours of the 200 year old gardens, you’ll snake along a winding treetop walkway forty feet above the forest floor to reach The Story of Gardening. This interactive garden exhibit will have you exploring some of the world's most famous gardens in virtual reality pods to experience lily ponds at Monet’s Giverny and fruit trees of Babylonstoren.

The estate's commitment to biodiversity and sustainable farming is evident in its extensive beekeeping programs, which highlight the vital role bees play in the ecosystem. One of the standout activities is the Bee Safari (yes…a safari for the bees!). This guided tour takes guests on a journey through the estate's gardens and orchards, providing an in-depth look at the life of bees and their importance to the environment. You’ll observe the bees in their natural habitat, learn about their behaviors, and understand the critical role they play in pollination. The knowledgeable guides offer fascinating insights into the beekeeping practices at The Newt, including how they manage the hives and harvest honey.

For those interested in a more hands-on experience, go for the beekeeping workshops. These sessions provide an opportunity to don a beekeeper's suit (we’re thinking of adding a belt for the picture) and get up close with the hives. Under the guidance of expert beekeepers, learn the basics of beekeeping, from hive management and bee health to honey extraction. These workshops are designed to be both informative and enjoyable, making them suitable for all levels of interest and experience.

No visit to The Newt would be complete without sampling some of the estate's delicious honey. The honey tasting sessions allow guests to experience the unique flavors of honey produced on-site. The variety of flowers and plants on the estate gives the honey a distinctive taste, reflecting the diverse flora of Somerset.

If you thought the on-site sightseeing was complete, and when you need a quick infusion of historical charm, enter the electric buggies, available to drive on wooded paths to Villa Ventorum, a restored fifth-century Roman Villa that houses a museum dedicated to these luxurious farmhouses of the past.

The Newt in Somerset certainly has a plethora of experiences to say you’ve done this part of the UK Countryside. Whether you’re relaxing in the room, exploring the historic gardens, making a lasting connection with a bee friend or savoring the garden-fresh cuisine, every moment at The Newt is crafted to perfection. It's a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly, offering a serene (and delightfully educational) escape that feels both timeless and refreshingly contemporary.