Wassail

Wassail is an important annual event in our estate calendar, and this year it kick-starts our month of renewal and reinvigoration.

Wassailing has been practised in Britain for centuries. Its roots stem in a pagan custom of visiting orchards to sing to the trees and spirits, awakening their energy after the winter in hope of ensuring a bountiful apple harvest come autumn.

The Newt Wassail is hailed as an opportunity to reaffirm our connection to the land, to celebrate with friends and family, and to put centre-stage an emblem that binds us together and plays such an important role in Somerset identity: the apple tree.

Usually a private estate event, this year we will be sharing the ceremony with you all in a live stream on Facebook.

Expect an evening of light fighting darkness - with explosive energy from English Civil War cannon to banish ne'er-do-well spirits, followed by encouragement of benevolent spirits through song, revelry and cyder quaffing.

Click to order your Wassail kit containing everything you need to join in from home, including our (not so) secret mulled cyder recipe.

Hail apple tree! Hail good health! Wassail! Wassail!

The Botanical Rooms to Your Home

The Botanical Rooms Head Chef Ben Champkin has launched a weekly changing menu available every Friday and Saturday, for you to simply heat and serve at home.

Two courses with either a meat, fish or vegetarian main, plus a seasonal side and mini apple sourdough made for two. You can also add potted spreads to make a light starter, and a Somerset cheese board for a final flourish.

Available for ‘click & collect’ from the Hotel OR free local delivery if you live in our fresh delivery area.

Click ORDER FOR COLLECTION or click HERE to order for delivery.

How it works:

Click to book for collection or delivery.

Place your order, adding wine or cyder if you are having it delivered.

If collecting, arrive at the Hotel entrance to collect your meal from the Shepherd's Hut.

Warm up, serve, tuck in!

For collection, order by 10am on the day. For delivery, choose the 26 or 27 February as your delivery date. Limited number of slots available.

Also available as a meal for one priced at £20. _

MENU FOR 26 & 27 FEBRUARY

Apple waste sourdough, cultured butter

MAIN

Cyder braised pork belly, apple mustard potato puree, kale OR

Fish pie with creamy potato topping OR

Artichoke, leek & goat’s cheese pie

SIDE Cabbage, celery, apple & walnut salad

DESSERT Blood orange steamed sponge, cream

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Potted trout or whipped fava bean for your bread

West Country cheese selection, spelt crackers, membrillo

Please inform us of any allergies upon ordering.

Kombucha Workshop 10 March

Kombucha is a fermented drink that provides a good source of probiotics, antiobiotics, vitamins and minerals. Probiotics provide your gut with healthy bacteria, which can have numerous health benefits including improving digestion, inflammation and the immune system.

Made from sweetened tea and a culture known as a ‘SCOBY’ (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts), the resulting acetic acid gives this drink its distinctive sour taste.

In this live virtual workshop with Estate Head Chef Alan Stewart, you'll learn how to make kombucha and kefir water at home, and to use and keep a SCOBY to make successive batches long after the workshop, taking care of your gut health for the whole season.

Book your place then follow the link to order your kit containing everything you need. We'll deliver it in time for the live workshop, along with instructions on getting prepared.

Kombucha Workshop 17 March

Kombucha is a fermented drink that provides a good source of probiotics, antiobiotics, vitamins and minerals. Probiotics provide your gut with healthy bacteria, which can have numerous health benefits including improving digestion, inflammation and the immune system.

Made from sweetened tea and a culture known as a ‘SCOBY’ (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts), the resulting acetic acid gives this drink its distinctive sour taste.

In this live virtual workshop with Estate Head Chef Alan Stewart, you'll learn how to make kombucha and kefir water at home, and to use and keep a SCOBY to make successive batches long after the workshop, taking care of your gut health for the whole season.

Book your place then follow the link to order your kit containing everything you need. We'll deliver it in time for the live workshop, along with instructions on getting prepared.

Tea-Smoked Fish Workshop

Learn to fillet, bone, brine and smoke fish over tea in this small group masterclass with Estate Head Chef Alan Stewart, using the freshest fish from the south west coast - just a few miles from our Estate in South Somerset.

You’ll receive a kit including your own stove top smoker, wood chips from our Estate, loose leaf tea and other flavourings to infuse your fish. Plus a beautiful catch of the day from our fishermen friends on the south west coast.

There are a limited number of spaces available so that you have time to ask the expert in real time, as you work.

Please note, due to the contents these workshop kits are only available in our fresh delivery areas: BA, BS39, DT9, DT10, SP7, SP8, TA11 postcodes and all London postcodes.

Book now and enter your address details, then we'll send the kit in time for you to join in with the live workshop.

Dawn Walk: Spring Woodland

Wake up with Arthur Cole on this live virtual stroll through some of our less travelled woodland walks, witnessing the first bud bursts of the season.

Live streamed to our Facebook and Instagram, it's an ideal way to start your day before the real world sets in.

Live Cyder Tasting: Infusions

Each month, our cyder team will be hosting live tasting sessions on Instagram and Facebook that you can join from home. This months is all about infusions.

Cellar Master Greg Carnell and Cyder Maker Paul Ross will be brewing up a heady concoction of cyder, smoked apple tea and flavourings, that you can serve over ice or fire for al fresco evenings with friends.

The tasting includes 6 x 330ml bottles plus flavourings and recipe.

Interested? Sign up to join in - you'll receive a link to order the tasting set and a reminder before we go live.