“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” – William Shakespeare, The Sonnets 

That warm summer glow washing over the gardens

The days are long; the beauty of nature and the great outdoors calling as the gentle pace of high summer washes over the landscape. The bees reap the rewards of abundant flowers vying for attention: buzzing between enchanting roses, fiery red hot pokers and delicate clusters of Queen Anne’s lace. We’re celebrating our pollinators with Respecting the Hive workshops and showcasing the circle of life in the garden on guided dawn walks from a bee’s eye view. Holidays are on the horizon and shaded lookouts across the estate beckon alfresco lovers to rest a while and feast on summertime goodies – from honey gelato to indulgent rose & honeycomb cruffins – made for this moment. Life is sweet at The Newt! 

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What’s on in July

We’re firing up BBQs, delving into the market garden and listening to live music float on the breeze as we head outside to savour summer. Visit in July for sunset picnics, forest bathing and a tour of our new Four Seasons Garden after the gates have closed.

Reconnect with nature among tranquil ancient woodlands

Dry Stone Walling 
3, 17, 31 July, 9.30am – 4pm / £150

Try your hand at drystone walling in our all new inspiring creative space in the garden. Master the fundamentals of this ancient craft under the expert guidance of Tom Trouton – you’ll learn about history, design and practical elements and take away the knowledge to create an array of structures from fire pits to water features.

Garden Lates
4, 11, 18, 25 July, 6.30 – 9.30pm / £70

Our intimate picnic experience at the heart of the estate is running on Thursday evenings throughout July. We’ll be rolling out the picnic blankets for a multi-course feast cooked over fire, serving cold cyder and mixing up seasonal specials from the cocktail van, all soundtracked by a live DJ. 

Soak up the gardens after hours at our Thursday evening sunset picnics – Garden Lates

Dawn Walk: Pollinate
4,10 July, 7am – 10am / £45

Join Head of Programmes, Arthur Cole on a stroll around the gardens to experience the early buzz of high summer. Take in the evocative hues of the colour gardens, see waterlilies in bloom and wander through the rose arbour before breakfast at the Garden Café.

Beekeeping: Respecting the Hive
4, 18 July, 9.30am – 3pm / £150

Our Head of Programmes describes this workshop as “one of the most profound experiences I have in memory”. The guided interaction with the hive by our bee team might just change your perspective on your position in the natural world – gentle yet powerful. Includes lunch at the Garden Café and a honey tasting. 

Discover the buzz of beekeeping on a Respecting the Hive workshop

Forest Bathing Sundays 
7, 14, 21, 28 July, 8 – 9am / £50

Steal a Sunday morning to reconnect with nature and learn the art of shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing’. You’ll use all the senses to connect with the natural surroundings and learn the process of effective immersion, healing and mindfulness among tranquil ancient woodland.

Gardener & Chef
10, 24 July, 9am – 3pm / £150

One of our favourite alfresco experiences in The Newt gardens, our Gardener & Chef sessions offer a unique chance to pick, prepare and cook your own delectable estate lunch over fire, with plenty of inspiration and insight from our expert team.

Farm to Knife Butchery: Lamb
11 July, 9.30am – 3pm / £275

Join our butchers for the full farm-to-knife experience at our brand new Butchery. Learn to identify the different cuts of lamb, sharpen your knife skills and break down a carcass for cuts to take home before an indulgent carnivorous lunch at Farmyard Kitchen. 

Dusk Walk: Four Seasons Special
18 July, 6.30pm – 8.30pm / £45

Discover the Four Seasons Garden at this magical time of day and experience the sights and scents of high summer with our Head of Programmes and Head Gardener. Culminating in sundowners and charcuterie boards with a view at the Garden Café.

Picnic Perfection

Setting off on an alfresco adventure this month? Let us pack the treats. From grazing lunches to sunset suppers, our deli range of cold cuts, charcuterie and moreish picky bits is the easy, crowd-pleasing answer to laid-back dining. Just add bakery treats, Babylonstoren rosé and sweet Somerset strawberries and you’re good to go… 

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Experience the sights and scents of high summer in our new Four Seasons Garden