Land of the Summer People
Gateway to the west country, Somerset is a land of myth and mystery. Abuzz with life, this green county provides residents and visitors a thriving slice of English culture and countryside; from historic cities, towering cathedrals and mythical castles, to contemporary art, starry restaurants and fine cyder. Somerset is at the heart of The Newt, shaping everything we do.
Cadbury Castle
Less than five miles as the crow flies is the ancient and mythical Cadbury Castle. This Bronze Age hill fort is known by many as Camelot, and is rumoured to be the location of the castle and court of King Arthur.
10 minutes by car.
Castle Cary
The picturesque little town of Castle Cary has a high street full of independent shops and a popular Tuesday market. The old part of town runs along the foot of Lodge Hill, just below where the 11th century castle once stood. You can reach Castle Cary by foot via the estate’s internal tracks.
About half an hour's walk, or a few minutes by car.
Bruton
Game-changing galleries such as Bo Lee and Workman and Hauser & Wirth, quirky independent shops and a slew of sustainable restaurants, the medieval town of Bruton is bursting with creative, unconventional energy.
Five minutes by car.
Glastonbury
Like a beacon rising above the Levels, Glastonbury Tor is the spiritual home of Somerset. At its foot you’ll find Glastonbury town, home to a characterful high street, ancient taverns and the Chalice Well – Britain’s oldest holy well. Climb the Tor for commanding views of the countryside, then visit the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, oft claimed to be the burial place of King Arthur.
30 minutes by car.
Wells
England’s smallest city is both pretty-as-a-picture and a historic heavyweight, home to Wells Cathedral, the splendid Bishop’s Palace and England’s oldest in-tact Medieval Street: Vicars’ Close. Make a day of it with a stroll through the flower-filled Palace Garden, then wander the honey-coloured high street and weekly market.
30 minutes by car.
Bath
Bath is renowned for the stately Georgian terraces that grace its slopes and also lays claim to a soaring Gothic Abbey and ancient Roman Baths. One of Jane Austen’s favourite haunts, walk in her Regency-era footsteps along the Paragon and Crescent, or dip into the townhouse dedicated to her life and works. Museums, boutiques and an array of restaurants complete this cultural gem of a city.
About 50 minutes by car, or ask the team about a private, guided tour.
Cheddar Gorge
Carved by Ice Age meltwaters, Cheddar’s limestone cliffs and caves are famed for their stunning geology, game-changing anthropological finds (this is where the famous ‘Cheddar Man’ skeleton was discovered) and adrenaline-spiking rock-sports. A circular clifftop walk offers the best views of the gorge, while at the base Cheddar village is a chocolate-box hamlet of tea rooms and meandering river.
About 45 minutes by car. Pre-booking cave tours and rock sports is essential.