All-Season Oasis: A Garden for Every Climate
WL welcome to the enchanting The Newt nestled between Castle Cary and Bruton in Somerset's picturesque countryside! This country estate is a paradise for both history buffs and garden enthusiasts alike.
The Newt is a charming, Grade II-listed hotel that offers an idyllic escape for its guests. Enjoy bucolic views, indulgent food, and soothing spa treatments. But the real gem of this estate is its spectacular gardens, which are divided into various areas, each offering unique delights throughout the year.
Start your tour at the 18th century Parabola, a D-shaped walled garden transformed by Patrice Taravella in 2014. Its trees are trained in espalier formations, flat against the brick walls, and the garden boasts 689 trees with National Collection status. Beyond the Parabola, there are bustling apple orchards that bear fruit for the estate's very own Newt Cyder.
Garden enthusiasts won't want to miss the ancient woodlands, brimming with history and nature. The stroll through these woods will take you past mature trees such as hornbeam and veteran oaks, even a 300-year-old Druid Tree. Be sure to journey above the treetops on the elevated walkway, The Viper.
Savor a bite to eat at the Newt's Garden Café, and you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views of The Kitchen Garden, the heart of The Newt's farm-to-fork policy. This sensory delight offers an abundance of fresh herbs, flowers, and vegetables, inspiring chef-crafted recipes that change with the seasons.
The Four Seasons Garden is a must-see, a one-of-a-kind, immersive garden that delights visitors with color, fragrance, and fleeting splendour throughout the seasonal cycle. The garden takes nearly two years to complete and showcases the amazing scent of roses, the structure and awe of topiary, and a long winding path through warmth and calm in the autumn garden.
With an annual membership, you can uncover the charm of The Newt's gardens throughout the year. Membership also grants access to 17 global partner gardens, so you can savor more gardens year-round. Click here to learn more about membership options.
In 2024, The Newt was featured at the Chelsea Flower Show with a Roman Garden, inspired by The Newt's Villa Ventorum. For 2025, they have collaborated with The Newt's sister estate Babylonstoren. The master botanists at Babylonstoren are experts in the native flora of the drylands, and the duo is crafting a stunning Karoo Succulent Garden for the event. Harry Baldwin, Head Gardener at The Newt, is excited to see it come to fruition at RHS Chelsea and return to The Newt to continue its growth.
Experience The Newt's gardens and appreciate the ever-changing tapestry of colors, scents, and seasonal highlights in the heart of Somerset. Tis the season, indeed!
- The Parabola, a converted 18th century D-shaped walled garden, is adorned with trees trained in espalier formations and houses 689 trees with National Collection status.
- Garden enthusiasts can marvel at the ancient woodlands, brimming with mature trees, such as hornbeam, veteran oaks, and a 300-year-old Druid Tree.
- The Newt's Farm-to-Fork policy centers around The Kitchen Garden, which offers an abundance of fresh herbs, flowers, and vegetables, inspiring chef-crafted recipes that change with the seasons.
- In 2025, The Newt is collaborating with its sister estate, Babylonstoren, to craft a Karoo Succulent Garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing the expertise of master botanists in native dryland flora.
