A cider-saturated bee clung to my chic black drinking straw, as I gingerly fished the drowsy insect from my glass.
My family and I were enjoying a tasting of three ciders at The Newt, a dream country estate in Somerset, England that centres around the county’s traditional heritage of apple cultivation. The seat of the Hobhouse family for over two centuries, The Newt was six years in the making under new ownership and now offers excellent local cuisine and outstanding accommodation.
The property is beautifully designed, with exquisite attention to detail evident in every aspect of the estate. There are over 300 acres of land showcasing beautiful flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the history of the gardens, as well as attend workshops on topics such as composting and preserving.
The hotel and spa at The Newt are also top-notch, offering luxurious accommodations and treatments that incorporate ingredients from the estate’s gardens. The restaurants serve locally-sourced, seasonal cuisine that showcases the best of Somerset’s culinary offerings.
In addition to the gardens, hotel, and spa, The Newt offers activities such as cider-making, falconry, and guided walks through the countryside. The estate is also home to a farm that raises rare-breed animals.
We booked lunch at the Garden Café, which offers a vegetable-led menu where guests enjoy meals sourced from the extensive kitchen gardens and orchard. Think spiced roast cauliflower, charred spring cabbage, new season turnips, poached rhubarb.
This visit had been a long time coming: Frequent inspirational visits to Babylonstoren in Stellenbosch, also the creation of South African power couple Karen Roos and Koos Bekker, had made me long to discover how they would interpret the potential of this renowned English property. A pre-Covid, wintry weather visit by my sister had provided feedback on the planting regimen – visionary, with the promise of abundance and sensory indulgence to come. As the former domain of renowned plantswoman Penelope Hobhouse, there was no doubt that The Newt ‘bones’ would provide a fine foundation, but I was still unprepared for the vastness and vision of the rural idyll when I saw it for myself.
Overall, The Newt is an impressive destination that offers something for everyone, whether you’re interested in gardening, food, or simply relaxing in a beautiful natural setting. The attention to detail and commitment to sustainability make it a truly unique experience
Plan your visit: You have to be a member to gain access, but this is open to everyone for a fee. It offers unlimited access to the garden, restaurants and attractions for 12 months. Find out more about membership which costs £68/adult, £30 for locals resident in the area.
© Judy Bryant. Photographs by Judy Bryant.
