The Newt in Somerset

The Newt in Somerset: working farm, gardens and spa hotel in Bruton

The Newt in Somerset is a working farm located in Bruton, Somerset (United Kingdom), combining gardens, woodlands, farmland and cyder orchards with a luxury hotel and spa. The estate presents itself as a destination to visit for the day, stay overnight or take out an annual membership that provides access to the gardens, woodland and exhibitions throughout the year.

The estate is organised around several accommodation and dining spaces. Accommodation includes Hadspen House, The Farmyard and Yarlington Lodge. Dining options include The Garden Café, The Botanical Rooms, The Creamery, Farmyard Kitchen and The Maid of Somerset, as well as a shop selling estate produce.

Gardens, attractions and experiences on the estate

The grounds include gardens and woodland areas open to visitors, along with a series of attractions of their own: The Story of Gardening, The Roman Villa and The Beezantium. The estate also offers tours and tastings, and organises children's activities and member spa days.

The seasonal programme includes workshops and events on horticulture, ecology, heritage crafts, dawn walks, food and floriculture, cyder-making and mushroom foraging. The annual calendar features events such as the Harvest Supper, seed gathering and autumn wreath making workshops, and the Apple Day Weekend. The estate also promotes themed stays such as Estate Weekends, Christmas & New Year, Seasonal Offers and Family Stays.

Estate produce and dining

The farming activity at The Newt in Somerset extends to orchards, farm and fields, and supplies its restaurants with fresh, seasonal produce. The estate produces cyder and has its own butchery and bakery. The restaurants serve seasonal menus prepared by their chefs, and some spaces, such as The Garden Café, are reserved for members and their guests with a valid day pass.

The estate shop sells products such as gift hampers, groceries, cyder, wines and spirits, and house and garden items, and offers corporate gifting options. There is also a gift membership.

Membership and access

The membership programme is open to everyone and provides unlimited access for 12 months to the gardens, woodland and exhibitions. Members can visit partner gardens and receive exclusive offers from the online store. The estate presents itself as a family-friendly space, with highlighted routes for people with accessibility issues.

Setting and connections

The estate is located in Somerset and encourages exploration of the region, with information on local attractions and activities. Offerings include a collaboration with Claridge's and the chance to take First Class train escapes from London Paddington to the heart of the West Country, with visits to gardens, woodlands and dining experiences.

The Newt in Somerset is part of a group of sister estates in the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and South Africa, which share a philosophy based on natural beauty, farm-to-table dining and immersive guest experiences.

Practical information

The estate offers train access via GWR services from London Paddington, Bristol and Exeter to Castle Cary. By car, it can be reached from London via the M3 and A303 to Wincanton, continuing on the A371 and A359; from Bristol via the A37 and A371; and from Exeter via the A30 and A303. South West Coaches bus route 667 connects Wincanton and Glastonbury with a stop at the visitor car park and at Castle Cary station.

General opening times for the gardens, farm shop and house and garden shop vary by season: in winter (27 September to 8 March) it is open from 9am to 4.30pm, with last entry at 4pm; in summer (9 March to 28 September) it is open from 9am to 6pm, with last entry at 5.30pm. The Story of Gardening is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm. Beezantium requires a timed slot booking, available from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The Roman Villa Experience also requires booking, with slots from 9.30am to 3.30pm and Roman street food from 12pm to 2.30pm. The Gelateria is open every day from 10.30am to 4.30pm. The Cyder Bar is open throughout the day, from 9am to 4.30pm, with light lunches, bakery snacks, tea, coffee, cold drinks and cyder. The Garden Café is open daily with breakfast from 9am to 11.30am and lunch from 12pm to 3pm, and advance booking is recommended. The Botanical Rooms is open every day for hotel guests and non-residential guests, with lunch from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 9pm, and advance booking is required. Farmyard Kitchen is open every day for hotel guests and non-residents, serving lunch and dinner.

The estate advises of a one-off closure from 3.30pm on Thursday 24 September. The visitor car park has a bus stop, and helicopter landings cannot be guaranteed without 24 hours' prior notice.

Location and contact

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton, Somerset BA7 7NG, United Kingdom · Email: enquiries@thenewtinsomerset.com