Just two and a half hours away from London, The Newt in Somerset welcomes families with open arms.
The Newt in Somerset is not your classic child-friendly residence, don’t expect to find a kids’ club or a playground; instead this stunning hotel encourages guests of all ages to find adventures in its beautiful gardens and local wildlife. Wholesome and refreshing, this is the perfect spot to really get away from it all on a back-to-nature stay complete with the luxury you would expect from a five-star hotel. Citizen Enfants checked in to find out more.
The Vibe
The Newt in Somerset, gardens, restaurant, hotel, orchards, shop, cider press, food,
Owner Karen Roos is a former Elle Decoration editor and is behind the creative interiors, which are a stylish mix of furniture and finishes that compliment the hotel’s 17th century heritage. As soon as you arrive you are struck by the grandeur of the place with its large entrance hall – and feel that you are stepping into a soothing, tranquil space. This is one of those magical hotels that manages to tick all the boxes for holidays with children, yet also remain grown up and sophisticated. Every member of staff you encounter is friendly, helpful and kind; always supporting parents with what they need at the right moment. It’s a nuanced understanding of holidaying with children; they are always paying attention, but are never intrusive. You get the sense that The Newt genuinely enjoys hosting children, and a stay here is one maintained with a friendly, light-hearted atmosphere – something that is easier said than done for luxury properties.
The Rooms
The hotel consists of two areas, Hadspen (the main house) and the Farmyard. Rooms in both are comfortable and, importantly, well set up for children. Cots and high chairs can be provided, as can babysitting on request.
The Farmyard (once a dairy farm) has a relaxed ambiance. This collection of golden agricultural buildings have been remodelled and feel like something akin to a Cotswolds village: think a chic, welcoming, modern take on country-house style, with four-poster beds, velvet sofas and modern art. Families will love the two-bedroom suites (they’re spacious enough to sleep four or five with ease), while bathrooms add grandeur with a large roll top-bath and marble tiles.
The main house was built in the 17th century and captures the essence of a Georgian family home. Here, classical beauty is offset by the playful interior design and it’s the more formal of the two, but slightly closer to the heart of the property and all activities.
The Food + Drink
One of the most special things about The Newt is that their food is led by what is growing in the gardens: you are nourished by the food as you choose from a variety of fresh and seasonal dishes. The Newt has a great selection of wines, too, that come from their sister property Babylonstoren in South Africa. Owners, South African Koos Bekker and Karen Roos opened the Newt in 2017 and have maintained a strong connection to their homeland, including via excellent wine-tasting sessions. There’s a wonderful selection of restaurants and cafes showcasing all the varied and delicious flavours, be sure to sample them all.
The Farmyard has a beautifully cosy feel that is perfect for a family. A relaxed setting in a converted dairy farm, settle in next to the warming fire and watch the chefs as they prepare dishes; a fascinating experience for little ones. Have the chef choose your dinner for you – a delightful experience for busy parents: the whole menu is delicious so you really can’t go wrong and you can opt out of any more decision making. There’s also a children’s menu and the catering team are excellent with kids – they’ll never make you feel embarrassed when plates are spilled and endless additions to your meal are requested.
For lunch, head to The Garden Café – with roaring fires and an open kitchen that make you want to settle in with a good book, especially on a cold winter’s day. The vast glass windows enable you to survey the lands with a perfect vantage point over the kitchen gardens and orchards below, watching nothing but the greenery and the weather over a glass of wine.
Last but not least, The Botanical Rooms is the restaurant at the main house, offering a more formal menu and setting; ideal for dinner. A hybrid of a modern conservatory and the original building with wonderful views over the garden, expect a more grown-up mood yet still a great spot for kids.
The Child’s Play
This is a hotel for outdoors play, and there is seemingly no end to what you can do: start by walking the grounds before touring the deer park (with herds of majestic stags and fallow deer). A must-see is the Beezantium, a unique experience where you can peek into the fascinating life of bees: interactive and educational, it was loved by all ages.
The pool at the Farmyard is open to families at all times. A beautiful building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds, slip into the water and unwind as your kids splash away until their heart’s are content. And don’t miss the gardens at the heart of the property – very handily located next to a Gelateria, café and shop.
The Newt has a members’ club that gives access to the gardens and facilities, so expect to see lots of local members and their kids buzzing around the place on the weekends, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere.
The To Do List
Nature is the star of the show on this beautiful estate, and has been shaped over the last 200 years by successive enthusiastic owners who have lovingly cultivated its gardens; each bringing new species and new perspectives. At the core sits the Parabola garden, perfect for playing hide and seek. There’s also a walled garden with an apple tree maze: the ideal playground for inquisitive little gardeners.
The hotel also has a whole range of more parent-appropriate experiences, from tours of the gardens to cookery lessons and even hot air balloon rides. You can also learn from an in-house expert about the Story of Gardening, something the team behind The Newt – and their sister property – really do excel at.
Or take time out in the beautiful spa next to the main house, with an indoor-outdoor pool, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms, and an extensive menu of massages and facials. If you feel like being a little more active, there are yoga classes to book – or watch the gardeners as they tend to the vegetables they are growing for your dinner as you work out in the gym.
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