Elle Decoration UK - 08.2019

THE GARDEN

THE NEWT

This redesigned country estate seals Bruton’s

reputation as a horticultural haven

Possibly the biggest news in the British gardening world since Dutch

plantsman and author Piet Oudolf opened his ‘Field’ at Hauser &

Wirth in Somerset’s Bruton, is the makeover of Hadspen House – just

a ten-minute drive down the road. The 300-acre estate, now named

The Newt, was already attractive to the green fingered: once the

home of garden writer Penelope Hobhouse, it was then tended by

Sandra and Nori Pope, renowned for their colourful planting.

Now under the ownership of Koos Bekker and Karen Roos, the

duo behind famously chic farm, hotel and restaurant Babylonstoren,

near Cape Town, the venue has been stylishly transformed. similarly

to the South African mothership, where the eight-acre kitchen

garden inspires the entire offering, The Newt’s gardens and apple

orchards have been placed at the heart of the project. Their seasonal

produce informs the look of the hotel, located within the honey-hued

walls of the Grade II-listed Georgian manor house, as well as the

restaurant’s menu. An apple-tree maze occupies the ‘Parabola’, the

curved walled garden, plus there’s cider making and a museum to

explore. With historically-inspired formal gardens, not to mention

a spa, pool and shops stocked with local delights, from West Country

cheese and meats to ceramics, candles and prints by Somerset-based

artists, The Newt promises to be a destination like no other. Gardens

open 10am–6pm, £15 (thenewtinsomerset.com).

ESCAPE

AUGUST 2019 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 187

WORDS: NATASHA GOODFELLOW