The Newt in Somerset encourages guests to embrace country living.
The Newt in Somerset captures the essence of a Georgian country home and encourages guests to embrace country living.
A husband-and-wife team behind one of South Africa’s most prized properties, Babylonstoren, outside Cape Town, have brought their “portfolio” approach to hospitality to Somerset – and it’s stunning
History
The Newt in Somerset was previously called Hadspen House and is a Grade II*-listed building. The original farmer’s house was built between 1687-1690, while garden plans were conceived and ground broken in 1691. A lawyer named Henry Hobhouse II purchased Hadspen House in 1785. He gave the main house, with its façade of local limestone, its current Georgian appearance. Over the next two centuries, his successors remodelled the grounds, creating more naturalistic parkland. The property remained in the Hobhouse family until 2013.
Design
Throughout the hotel and gardens, the past is brought to life or reimagined by offsetting heritage elements with contemporary design, styling and architecture. Some structures, like the Parabola and main house, are original and still intact after centuries. Other buildings, such as the Threshing Barn and Spa, are based on traditional agricultural structures; while spaces such as the glass-walled Garden Café are of modern design, aiming to fit organically within the landscape. In the hotel, elegant main house rooms have been updated with a fresh, playful aesthetic. The Stable Yard’s original horse yard buildings have been transformed into sophisticated and versatile accommodation while retaining their original characteristics. There are 23 bedrooms across the main house and its Stable Yard, each varying in design. The main house has 13 bedrooms while the Stable Yard has 10 bedrooms – four of which include kitchen facilities.
The Gardens
The gardens take centre stage, with acres of formal gardens designed by renowned Italo-French architect Patrice Taravella and cared for by an expert gardening team. They provide sustenance for the body and inspiration for the mind, supplying all restaurants on the Estate with herbs, flowers, fruit, vegetables and honey. Visitors are led on a journey through time: from a Baroque maze to a Victorian fragrance garden and greenhouse, to a true cottage garden, to modern water gardens and colour rooms. At the core of the gardens nestles a Parabola walled garden with a comprehensive collection of trained apple trees, arranged in a maze. The Parabola encloses some 3,000 square metres of the garden within 9ft of walls and contains 460 apple trees of 267 varieties.
The Newt’s Spa
Its bucolic setting inspires garden-scented treatments in the Spa. The hotel’s world-class spa with indoor/outdoor swimming pool and the gym is exclusively available for hotel residents. The Spa offers international treatments with an English country feel. Treatments include an authentic hammam and mud therapy in a private couples’ chamber, while facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool, halotherapy room and Wild Pool.
Food & Drinks at The Newt
The Botanical Rooms offer a menu largely sourced from the Estate and its neighbours. Dishes are locally sourced, just-picked fruit and vegetables suggested by the seasons. Guests can enjoy fun dining inspired by their surroundings – sharing small plates as the Georgians did, or feasting on whole vegetables and carefully husbanded meat, fish and venison cooked on a unique grill, fired with wood from the Estate.
In the original vaulted cellar of the house, guests will find Horns & Pigtails offering communal dining, wine tasting, special events and private Georgian feasts are possible. Menus are inspired by Georgian documents found in the house.
The Newt in Somerset, Bruton, Somerset, BA7 7NG
Rates start from £300 per night based on two sharing on a B&B basis.
For more information and bookings www.thenewtinsomerset.com
If you are planning a pit stop in Bath on your way to the beautiful countryside in Somerset there are several great accommodation options to consider including The Gainsborough Bath Spa. For a delicious lunch try The Ivy Bath and The Botanist for dinner.
