The newt: where beauty blooms by design

Forget rustic charm; The Newt in Somerset is a masterclass in curated elegance, a place where even the apple blossoms are meticulously timed to create a breathtaking spectacle. It’s a destination that’s captivated guests and critics alike, proving that beauty, when thoughtfully engineered, can be utterly enchanting.

A landscape orchestrated for delight

Perched atop a ridge, the view from The Newt is undeniably picturesque. Orchards erupt in a gradual cascade of blossoms, a soft-focus wave of pink and white drifting across the valley. The distant silhouette of Cadbury Castle, steeped in Arthurian legend, adds a touch of romantic mystique. But what truly sets this landscape apart is the deliberate artistry behind it. The apple trees, for instance, have been cultivated to ensure a phased unfurling of blossoms, extending the spectacle over several weeks. It’s a testament to the estate’s ethos: beauty is not merely discovered; it’s coaxed and meticulously curated.

Since its opening in 2019, The Newt has garnered a remarkable collection of awards and a fiercely loyal following. Repeat guests return with a near-religious devotion, drawn to the estate’s exemplary gardens, which offer visual interest throughout the year. A particularly impressive feature is the parabola, sheltering an astonishing 330 apple cultivars.

The estate’s bounty directly supplies The Newt’s three restaurants, its cider press, creamery, and farm shop, creating a seamless connection between the land and the table. A reconstructed Roman villa and museum, built upon archaeological discoveries on-site, further enhances the estate’s unique appeal, feeling remarkably authentic.

The visionaries behind the transformation

At the helm of this remarkable project are South African entrepreneurs Karen Roos and Koos Bekker. They acquired the Hadspen estate in 2013 and have since transformed it into a fascinating blend of agricultural project and cultural incubator. Bekker, a billionaire businessman and the driving force behind media and technology giant Naspers, and Roos, a former magazine editor with an impeccable eye for design, have established a reputation for creating globally acclaimed hotels deeply rooted in their surroundings.

Babylonstoren in South Africa’s Cape Winelands served as a blueprint, but the core philosophy remains consistent. Roos explains, “Before we start working on a project, it always has to be a house that I feel I can live in. If it has good architecture, light, and a beautiful setting, I know it’s something worthy of sharing.”

Yarlington lodge: an exclusive retreat

Their latest venture, Yarlington Lodge in Somerset, offers an even more intimate experience. Designed for exclusive use, it comprises a restored 19th-century house, a charming coach house, and a cottage nestled within an idyllic walled garden. This offering caters to a growing trend in luxury travel, where extended families—grandparents and children—seek a home-like setting with access to the estate’s amenities, rather than the formality of a traditional hotel.

The design, spearheaded by Roos, seamlessly blends historical references, local materials, and contemporary comfort. “I don’t follow rules or have a style as such,” Roos states. “I love pieces of good quality and workmanship, whichever era they’re from. Then there must be playfulness.” The library, for instance, is a delightful collision of Napoleonic influences—campaign furniture, tented ceilings, and antique memorabilia—and nods to Jane Austen, a writer whose work Roos finds deeply inspiring. “I read a lot of fiction set in the period when the houses we own were built and Austen was writing. That’s part of what we have here – the idea of re-creating a good life in a beautiful country house. I think people walk in and feel a certain amount of joy.”

A symphony of detail

The bedrooms are equally theatrical, boasting festooned ceilings, bold stripes, and fantastical murals, all while maintaining a sense of comfort. The kitchens, gleaming with Officine Gullo appliances, invite guests to cook their own meals or entrust the culinary artistry to The Newt’s team. Even the boot room, finished in a soothing mossy green, is a testament to the estate’s attention to detail, equipped with heated racks for coats and boots—a practical luxury for those venturing out to fish or participate in a nearby hunt.

A striking new glasshouse, harmonizing with the Grade II-listed architecture, showcases Roos’s philosophy: “You have to respect the building. It tells you what it can and cannot be.” The choice of materials is equally considered, with ancient stone quarried on-site complementing wide-planked ash floorboards. As Andrew Foulkes, CEO of hospitality at The Newt, notes, “Karen and Koos are focused on getting the feeling right. It’s not about doing the obvious thing; it’s about doing the right thing—even if it takes more effort.”

The Newt isn't just a hotel; it's a carefully constructed world, a testament to the power of design and the enduring allure of the English countryside. It’s a place where the scent of the earth, as the architect Patrice Taravella once observed, remains the most potent perfume of all.