The Newt in Somerset

ENGLAND

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The Newt in Somerset

ENGLAND

The Newt in Somerset

United Kingdom

England hotel | somerset hotel | luxury farm hotel | interior design | farmhouse design | karen roos | landscape hotel | nature hotel | room and wild | The newt in somerset

THE PERSONALITIES

Garden lovers. Historians. Artists. Families seeking stillness. Travellers with a taste for craft, care, and countryside.

MOMENTS

Misty mornings in the gardens. Cider tastings among the apple trees. Sunset over the lily pond. A quiet walk through the Roman Villa ruins. Picnics in wildflower meadows.

VISITING MONTHS

Somerset shines year-round, but spring through autumn (April–October) brings the gardens to life in full bloom. Autumn is particularly magical, when apple harvests fill the air with cider sweetness, and fireside evenings invite slow conversation.

COST

WHY STAY

The Newt in Somerset is the vision of South African hotelier and designer Karen Roos, whose refined aesthetic merges English heritage with quiet modern luxury. Set within a restored Georgian estate, the interiors feel both rooted and contemporary—warm woods, creamy linens, honeyed stone, and antique pieces balanced by sleek, understated design. Every space, from the library to the glass-walled spa, celebrates craftsmanship and a sense of calm continuity with the surrounding landscape.

The estate unfolds like a living story. Beyond the main house lie acres of orchards, lakes, and woodlands that invite slow exploration. Wander through formal gardens inspired by 18th-century geometry, lose yourself in the colour and scent of the walled gardens, or visit the Deer Park where herds graze under ancient oaks. The Roman Villa Experience brings history to life with archaeological reconstructions and immersive storytelling, while the Cyder Press and Farmyard showcase the estate’s working roots, wellness traditions, and regenerative farming practices.

Every stay feels connected to the rhythm of the land. Guests might begin the morning walking misty garden paths, spend afternoons in the spa for herbal treatments or forest bathing, and end the day with fireside wine in the Farmyard’s rustic dining room. Whether you come for the gardens, the architecture, or the stillness, The Newt offers something deeper—a way of being present in nature’s slow, unfolding beauty.

WHY WANDER

The Newt is an ode to English horticultural heritage, where every garden, orchard, and trail tells part of a centuries-long story. The estate’s grounds chart the evolution of gardening itself—from formal parterres to wildflower meadows—each area offering a living lesson in design and ecology. The Parabola, with its intricate apple maze, celebrates Somerset’s cider-making roots, while the Victorian Fragrance Garden, Kitchen Garden, and Colour Garden bloom in rhythm with the seasons. Visitors can wander through the vast landscape, guided not by signs but by scent, texture, and light.

The experience extends far beyond the gardens. At the Cyder Press, guests watch apples crushed, fermented, and transformed into the estate’s signature drink, an ode to the region’s orchard culture. The Bee Museum reveals the hidden lives of pollinators through glass hives and interactive exhibits, while the Mushroom House and Dairy provide windows into the craftsmanship that sustains the estate. The Deer Park, home to graceful fallow deer, reflects a centuries-old practice of stewardship and respect for the land’s natural balance.

Every path at The Newt invites discovery—whether through a forest walk that ends at a mirror-still lake, a tasting flight of fresh ciders, or a moment of awe at the Roman Villa Experience, where history rises from the soil. It’s a landscape meant not just to be seen but to be felt: a place where heritage, nature, and innovation meet in quiet harmony.

INDULGE IN

The estate’s restaurants celebrate ingredients grown on-site and sourced from nearby farms, weaving a narrative of soil, season, and craft into every dish. The Botanical Rooms serves seasonal British cuisine, with garden-picked vegetables, heritage meats, and breads baked fresh each morning in the estate’s stone ovens. Afternoon teas offer house-made pastries and herbal infusions harvested from the gardens, while picnics can be arranged for wandering the orchards or meadows.

At the Farmyard, rustic charm meets refined flavour: open-fire cooking, freshly pressed cider, and alfresco feasts under the trees create a convivial atmosphere for families and friends alike. Guests can join hands-on experiences, from butter-churning workshops to cider tastings, learning how produce transforms from field to plate. The Creamery highlights the estate’s commitment to craft and sustainability, producing cheeses and dairy delights that echo centuries of English tradition.

Every plate tells a story, from orchard to table, orchard-to-creamery, or pasture-to-fire. Whether it’s a crisp salad harvested just hours earlier, a wheel of cheese ripened on-site, or a warm loaf pulled from the oven, each bite is a lesson in seasonality, locality, and the deep connection between land and nourishment.

GETTING THERE

Located near Bruton, Somerset, The Newt is about a two-hour drive from London or a short train ride to Castle Cary station, followed by a brief transfer.

WILD INITIATIVES

The Newt’s philosophy is rooted in regeneration and stewardship. The estate is managed with biodiversity in mind—organic gardens, wildflower meadows, bee colonies, and soil-first farming. The glasshouse and cider press operate sustainably, while the gardens serve as living classrooms for conservation and craft. Each stay directly supports the preservation of this historic land and its evolving ecosystem.

Photos by the Newt

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