Date day ideas in Somerset
Looking for things to do in Somerset for couples? Set in the Somerset countryside near Bruton, The Newt has acres of formal gardens, woodland, exhibitions and eateries to explore with a significant other.
There’s so much to see and do for couples planning the perfect Somerset days out, that you can choose your highlights, while leaving plenty of time to pause and relax over good food, drinks and breathtaking views during the day. Gardens and displays evolve with the seasons, ensuring something new and delightfully different to enjoy on every visit.
Explore glorious gardens
A walk through The Newt’s gardens is a natural place to start. Pick up a coffee from the Cyder Bar and follow the paths to see where they take you. Through the Parabola with over 300 varieties of apples and an apple tree maze at its core. Into the Kitchen Garden to be inspired by what’s growing. Through the Arts and Crafts Cottage Garden with its Gertrude-Jekyll inspired planting, and out among the orchards over towards the Farmyard to wander our newest Four Seasons Garden, optimised to peak at different moments throughout the year.
Garden lovers can enjoy guided tours and glean insight into their history over the last 200 years, as well as the work that goes into maintaining them. Garden Tours run daily at 2pm, with booking advisable, and there’s a wealth of workshops, activities and eateries to discover, worth planning ahead for.
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Be at one with nature
Nature enthusiasts will be in their element too. Woodlands and ponds provide natural habitats teeming with wildlife. Marvel at deer roaming our ancient park, and depending on the time of year, you may spot Great Crested newts near the water. Birders should bring binoculars to see native and sought-after species and spectacles.
See the world from a bee’s eye view in the Beezantium. Hidden in the woodland, surrounded by a specially planted apiary, visitors can watch the colonies at work, smell the aroma of the hive, hear their contented hum and see honey produced in real time. Enjoy a fascinating insight into the relationship between bees, the land and us humans within giant honeycomb walls.
You can also book onto experiences such as a Bee Safari or Deer Park tour, which offer a chance to learn from the people who care for the estate and its wildlife. Many experiences need to be booked in advance, so it’s worth checking ahead of time.
Experience Roman Somerset
The Newt’s Roman Experience offers a fascinating change of pace from the gardens. Villa Ventorum is a reimagining of a Romano-British villa, inspired by the remains of a settlement found on the estate dating back to AD351. Just next door at our archaeological museum, you can view the remains and ancient artefacts discovered on site.
Allow time to enjoy the self-guided experience, which includes narrated exhibits, virtual reality technology and meticulously researched garden schemes. Booking is required, and the walk from the Threshing Barn takes around 20 minutes. You’ll also want to allow time to stop in at the Thermopolium to savour some authentic flavours inspired by Roman history and literature.
Lunch for two
The Newt isn’t short on options for gazing into your loved one’s eyes over a delicious meal for two. The hotel restaurants offer fine dining in The Botanical Rooms, cosy wood-fired plates perfect for sharing over at Farmyard Kitchen or views out over the gardens for veg-led fare inspired by our Somerset surroundings in the Garden Café.
For something more relaxed, the Cyder Bar serves light lunches, snacks, bakery treats and, of course, cyder, and don’t miss a visit to the Gelateria for a seasonal scoop or two to share (or not).
Bring a taste of The Newt home
Before you leave, stop by the Farm Shop and House & Garden Shop for Somerset produce, estate-made goods and items from local makers. It’s a lovely way to finish the day, whether you’re picking up something for dinner or a lovely reminder of your visit.
More than a day
You don’t need to fit everything into one day. A garden walk, a booked experience and a leisurely lunch can make for a memorable visit, with time to linger over the parts you enjoy most.
For couples who enjoy the great outdoors, there are few better ways to spend time together than wandering beautiful gardens, taking in wildlife and enjoying shared experiences. If you’re considering romantic days out in Somerset, The Newt offers the dream date day out in the countryside filled with many of the best things in life.
A Newt Membership is your ticket to enjoy a year of unlimited entry to the gardens and exhibits, or you can visit on a Member’s Guest Day Pass. If you live nearby, you may also qualify for a Local Membership.
