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The Newt in Somerset
Bruton, United Kingdom · Independent · Grand Luxury
Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, the South African couple behind Babylonstoren, spent six years and a reported £50 million turning Hadspen House, the Hobhouse family's Somerset estate for more than two centuries, into The Newt. It opened in 2019 with 300 apple varieties, a working cider press, and a Roman villa found under the grounds during the works. The gardens took an AHEAD Europe award in 2020; the house holds three Michelin Keys.
- Opened 2019
- Neighborhood: Hadspen
About The Newt in Somerset
- Hadspen House stayed in the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries; Bekker and Roos acquired the estate in 2013.
- Works unearthed a Roman villa; the gardens grow 300 apple varieties beside a working cider press.
- The couple also own Babylonstoren in South Africa. The Newt opened in 2019 and holds three Michelin Keys.
History
Hadspen House, a Georgian Somerset country house, belonged to the Hobhouse family for more than two centuries before Koos Bekker and Karen Roos acquired it in 2013. After six years and a reported £50 million, they opened The Newt in 2019: working farm, cidery, 300 apple varieties, and a Roman villa found under the grounds. The couple also own Babylonstoren in South Africa. AHEAD Europe awarded the landscaping in 2020.
Restaurants and bars
- Farmyard Kitchen — Restaurant · estate-grown produce and slow-cooked meats
- The Botanical Rooms — Restaurant
Experiences
- Beezantium — Bee-themed experience with bees, honey and pollinators.
- Apple Day — Two-day celebration with juice pressing, cyder tastings and orchard tours.
- Long lunches and dinner sharing feasts — Relaxed long lunches of estate-grown salad bowls, flatbreads and slow-cooked meats, plus an elevated dinner menu.
- Roman Villa Experience — Tour of the Roman Villa gardens; Dine with the Romans Saturnalia feast after hours.
- Garden Tour — Daily tours of the garden.
- Woodland Tour — Tour of the estate woodland.
Amenities
- Spa
- Sauna
Awards
- MICHELIN Three Keys (2026)
- AHEAD Europe Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces (2020)
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