The Newt | A Delectable Somerset Hotel Staycation
We booked this in the depths of winter, a whirlwind of messages and pre-planning; a stay with just the girls filled with delicious meals, hoping for sunshine but knowing regardless of clouds that our stay at the Newt would feature a delectable Somerset hotel.
An easy trip on the train from London, our excitement grew as we got closer and closer.
“The core of the Newt is Georgian, with limestone buildings the colour of burnt honey, the seat of the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries. Hadspen and the Farmyard nestle quietly amongst orchards, lakes and woodland that reflect the love lavished upon them over the past 300 years.”
Discover a feast for all the senses, from garden eateries to daily tours and seasonal workshops, all inspired by the land beneath our feet and the history and tradition of Somerset. We recommend planning ahead to make the most of every visit.
Explore formal and productive gardens, get a buzz from the Beezantium or discover a subterranean world in The Story of Gardening. Finally, no day would be complete without stopping at the cellar or the Farm Shop to sample a drop or two of Cyder.”
Stepping off the train, this Somerset hotel was a delight for the senses. We were even greeted by a gaggle of ducks at the entrance – what a welcome.
Leaving our bags with the reception team, we began by exploring the grounds, then indulging in lunch at the Garden Cafe, overlooking the kitchen gardens and orchards. The menu features a vegetable heavy line-up; and every single dish was delectable. Make sure to visit with people who don’t mind sharing…
“The main house was built in the 17th century, then remodelled in Georgian times. Capturing the essence of a Georgian family home, its restrained, classical beauty is offset by playful design; while the original working Stable Yard has been transformed into sophisticated accommodation, retaining characteristics harking back to its equestrian past. Sip tea in the Library, play croquet on the lawn or enjoy a game of badminton in Old Knobbly.”
We booked Hadspen Loft Rooms, generously proportioned and really well appointed for a staycation.
The view from my window just soothed my literary loving soul.
Influenced by thousands of years of horticultural history, you can take a stroll through acres of formal gardens and perhaps learn something along the way. The Newt shares the land with a host of wildlife; it’s possible to spot native deer promenading in the woods or Great Crested newts bathing in the ponds.
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“The gardens at The Newt have been shaped over the last 200 years by successive enthusiasts, including Margaret Hobhouse who elevated them to a Victorian ideal, introducing colour, a greenhouse and many trees of beech, oak, pine, walnut and cedar. Mixing ornamental and productive elements, the gardens are a feast for the eyes and stomach. At their core sits the Parabola, a walled garden concealing an apple tree maze; at their edges, diverse woodland providing a sheltered habitat for native wildlife.”
“From our Rosé to traditional single varietals, we champion the best modern cyder making techniques, with a nod to our West Country roots and a passion for the magic and alchemy that turns apples into golden nectar.”
Of course we felt it necessary to sample across the range of cyders in the name of thorough research – especially when we discovered their cosy bar. When we then found the record player in the corner, with a huge selection of classic records, we didn’t even need to discuss lingering for most of the evening.
Dinner was booked in the Botanical Rooms – and delicious, though a little slow in places.
It was “elegant and seasonal dining, inspired by and gathered from the surroundings. Chef Ben Champkin invites guests to feast on estate vegetables, the choicest cuts from the salt room and dayboat fish from the Dorset coast.”
Wandering back into the bar, we settled in for long chats with an epic soundtrack until our eyelids simply became too heavy to blink.
Waking up refreshed, overlooking misty meadows we enjoyed a delicious breakfast the next morning, featuring freshly baked croissants the size of your face, before rounding out our Somerset hotel stay delectably with a morning of massages and relaxing in the beautiful spa.
My massage was incredible, and I delighted in the farmyard chatter of the geese and ducks – I was told by my lovely masseuse that they’d been given free range of the spa herb garden for a few weeks, but that they weren’t going to be happy when they were restricted to the rest of the farm in a couple of days. It was simply charming.
Until I can get another booking, I’ll just have to comfort myself with ordering from their online shop…
Things you need to know about staying at the Newt: book early, plan to spend a good amount of time there, organise your activities early & bring your walking boots.
