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Venue Spotlight: The Newt in Somerset

The best countryside escapes don’t shout about luxury, they just quietly deliver it. With rolling views, standout food and 40 beautifully designed rooms, The Newt in Somerset is ideal for milestone parties, corporate offsites or a weekend retreat with real charm. We’ve shared why it’s one of our go-to venues for clients wanting something thoughtful, flexible and full of soul.


Category: Venue Spotlight      16th June 2025

A countryside retreat your guests will actually want to escape to

We all think of the Cotswolds when we hear “luxury countryside”, don’t we? But Somerset is giving it a serious run for its money. Rolling views, historic buildings, outstanding food. And none of the tweed-and-trout clichés.

The Newt in Somerset is the sort of place you could easily settle into for a long weekend. It’s also much closer than you might expect. The nearest train station, Castle Cary, is just 90 minutes from London, and from there it’s a short drive through the countryside to the estate. Once you arrive, you’ll find everything you need on site, though Bruton and Bath are nearby if you feel like exploring.

Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a team retreat or a proper escape from the city, this venue is what we at G&D Events would call a perfect fit.

On a sunny spring visit, I was greeted with a perfect coffee and that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere genuinely special. The Newt isn’t trying to impress. It just is impressive. Calm, elegant and full of soul.

Design with personality and a brilliant owner’s eye

 

The Newt is centred around Hadspen House, a Georgian estate dating back to the 18th century. But nothing about it feels stiff or overly formal.

You’ll find a tapestry-wrapped wild boar mounted on a pistachio green wall, sculptural goose lamps perched above velvet sofas, and modern timber furniture sitting proudly in rooms with original stone walls. Nothing feels styled for Instagram. Everything feels chosen. Every piece is placed with purpose.

That’s thanks to the owner, whose taste is exceptional. No two rooms are the same, yet they all sit together beautifully. The result is a space that feels curated, characterful and genuinely luxurious. Stylish with edge. This isn’t a royal palace. It’s far better. It’s warm, clever and quietly playful.

 

Stay in the house or take over the farmyard

 

There are 40 rooms across the estate, split between Hadspen House and the Farmyard.

In the main house, you’re close to the spa, the gardens and the restaurants. The rooms are elegant and peaceful, with garden views and the kind of bathrooms you never want to leave.

A short buggy or bike ride away is the Farmyard. Seventeen rooms tucked among old stone barns, complete with a private pool and its own snug bar. It’s a brilliant option for private hire. Whether it’s a birthday, a strategy weekend or a mini takeover, the Farmyard offers privacy with just the right amount of indulgence.

 

 

Food and drink you’ll actually get excited about

 

You won’t need to leave the estate for a bite to eat. The Newt has you covered from breakfast through to very good nightcaps. There are a few options depending on your mood. In the Botanical Rooms, the food is refined but never showy. Estate-reared meats, garden vegetables, and West Country fish done simply and beautifully.

Over at the Farmyard, it’s all about rustic sharing plates, big flavours and relaxed buzz. There’s a proper open fire, brilliant cocktails mixed with estate herbs, and a wine list that doesn’t mess about. The Newt also makes its own Cyder, pressed on site using their own apples, plus a range of flavoured gins that are dangerously drinkable. Apple and plum were my favourites.

 

 

Gardens worth travelling for

 

The gardens at The Newt are award-winning. And for good reason. They’re not just for looking at. They’re for getting lost in. Walled gardens, formal borders, orchards, woodland walks and a hidden garden museum carved into the hillside.

They’re also the headline sponsor of the Chelsea Flower Show – which says it all, really. The level of horticultural detail here is exceptional. Every bed, every path, every planting combination feels intentional. But it never feels forced.

For an event, it’s a dream. Drinks on the lawn. Dinner overlooking the parterre. A garden party that feels like it belongs in a film. And for planners like us, it’s exactly the kind of setting that elevates a celebration without trying too hard.

 

Styled experiences that still feel natural

 

The Newt offers real flexibility for events that want to feel distinct. The kind where the details matter. When I visited, I saw just how well the estate can flex around a client or a concept. They’ve hosted brand takeovers that completely transformed the grounds (can you guess the British fashion house in the photo?) – but somehow, it still feels unmistakably like The Newt.

Whether you’re launching something new, gathering your team or celebrating with your nearest and dearest, this is the kind of place that lets you make it truly personal.

 

Escape the city, without compromise

 

At G&D Events, we only recommend venues that align with our own level of detail, polish and creativity. The Newt in Somerset is exactly that. A retreat that feels luxurious but grounded. A setting that makes you breathe a bit deeper and think a bit bigger.

If you’re searching for a party planner in London or an event planning company that understands the importance of both aesthetics and seamless delivery, whether it’s Somerset, the South of France or somewhere else entirely, we’d love to help you plan something unforgettable.

LET’S TALK

 


See you in Somerset 😉