a very english autumn retreat

Founded in 2019, The Newt in Somerset has quickly established itself as one of England’s most distinctive rural retreats. Set in an 800-acre estate near Bruton, this award-winning country escape combines history, landscape design, wellness and food in a way that feels perfectly rooted in tradition while embracing modern comforts.

At the heart of the working estate is Hadspen House, a Georgian manor dating back to the 17th century. Carefully restored, the house retains its historic character but has been reimagined for contemporary hospitality. Guests can stay in the main house or converted farm buildings, each beautifully designed with interiors blending period details with a sense of modern luxury.

The gardens are one of The Newt’s greatest achievements. Reimagined by French architect Patrice Taravella, they bring together formality and wildness with striking results. Visitors can wander through Baroque-inspired layouts, a Victorian fragrance garden or the walled kitchen gardens where more than 350 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs are grown. Orchards provide apples for the estate’s cyder, while installations such as the ‘Beezantium‘ highlight the estate’s commitment to ecology.

Food and drink are integral to the experience at The Newt, with a strong emphasis on farm-to-table dining. Much of what is served is grown, reared, or foraged on the estate, ensuring a close connection between land and plate. Guests can choose between three distinct venues: The Botanical Rooms for refined dining, the Garden Café with panoramic views of orchards and gardens and the more rustic Farmyard Kitchen. Seasonal menus celebrate the estate’s produce and specialities such as house-pressed cyder and sourdough made with apple pulp highlight the creative use of ingredients.

Wellness is equally important here. The spa, housed in a former cowshed and built from Hadspen stone, offers an atmosphere of calm and renewal. Facilities include an indoor-outdoor pool, sauna, steam room and hammam spa. Treatments draw on natural and botanical elements, with some therapies beginning in the herb garden to encourage a deeper connection between guest and landscape.

Beyond gardens, dining and wellness, The Newt offers a wide programme of activities. Guests can take part in cyder tastings, explore the deer park, join seasonal workshops, or enjoy bee safaris that shed light on the importance of pollinators. These experiences add depth to a stay, transforming it from a retreat into a rich encounter with Somerset’s land and culture.

Sustainability is woven into every part of the estate. Food travels only a short distance from soil to plate and conservation efforts protect both historic landscapes and local biodiversity. The estate is not only a place of hospitality but also a model of how luxury can work in harmony with nature and sustainable practices.

The Harvest Weekend at the Newt is one of the highlights of the year, a joyful weekend full of food, music and craftsmanship in the gardens. On the 20th – 21st September the days will be filled with dancing around hay bales, live music, crisp cyder to toast, Kitchen Garden tours, tractor rides through the orchards, a chance to meet the farm team, Gardener Q&As, Newtling activities, finest BBQ fare and much more.

For those planning a visit, the estate is beautiful at any time of year. Spring brings blossom to the orchards, summer showcases the kitchen gardens at their peak, autumn is marked by harvest and winter offers the comfort of firesides and spa treatments. To arrange you visit to The Newt in Somerset click here.

Images – The Newt in Somerset