The Newt in Somerset
Nestled in the Somerset countryside are the tranquil gardens of The Newt where 3,000 cyder apple trees grow. Spoiling guests with a hotel, spa, restaurant, gardens and its own cyder press, a visit is a true treat this summer.
In 2013, the South African power players behind Babylonstoren, Koos Bekker and Karen Roos bought Hadspen House, which is set on the vast Emily Estate - 300 acres of rolling arable and parkland.
Since then, it has been transformed into Somerset’s most desirable destination. Opened in the spring, it is arguably like nothing you have seen before. It harks back to the heyday of the Victorians while styling innovative design with a contemporary feel.
A visit will be nothing less than chic, wholesome and inspiring from start to finish - expect nothing less than perfection. The gardens are simply gorgeous. A fusion of cultivated landscapes, ancient woodlands, meadows, fresh produce, and a walled Parabola concealing the most amazing apple tree maze. Visitors are welcomed to join the daily garden tour to be enlightened by the vast array of planted spaces and garden styles through the ages, whilst stopping to pick, taste and smell the different fruits and vegetables on offer.
Alongside the abundance of flowering garden rooms, immaculate kitchen gardens, a state-of-the-art cyder mill and the largest orchard of standard apple trees planted in a century, there are the incredibly delectable Garden Eateries. Serving fresh and seasonal dishes all led by what is growing in the gardens, from crisp green leaves to sweet root vegetables. All the bread, pastry and charcuterie are too created in-house and are utterly delicious.
Drink
Take your pick of prefect pit stops across the gardens, from a true taste of Somerset tipples at the Cyder bar, to enjoying the excellent South African wine selection at the Garden Café, where they make their own infusions and cordials from the bountiful produce available just a stone’s throw from their kitchen.
Farm Shop
The large farm shop takes selling the finest produce to whole new level with its own extensive cheese and Himalayan salt wall butchery cold rooms. Buy from the best local and artisan producers as well as their own breads and pastries plus seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown on the Estate.
Eat
The Garden Café enjoys an exquisite view of the kitchen gardens and orchards below, where most of their food is sourced. Serving fresh, seasonal fare so the menu is a constant delightful surprise. There’s homemade bread, pastry and charcuterie as well as scrumptious ice-cream made from their own cows at Garden’s Cottage in the grounds.
Gift Shop
A true destination, visit for unusual and beautiful gifts that everyone will treasure. From ceramics to textiles, dining wares to woodwork, candles to organic body oils, there’s something for everyone that covets the beautiful, the functional and the covetable.
