Next Stop Somerset

Embark on a unique First Class day trip from London to a reimagined country estate in the heart of Somerset, hosted by our expert team. Enjoy immersive tours, tastings, and hands-on experiences that invite you to explore, taste, and savour the abundance of the estate, all in a single unforgettable day.

Explore our 2026 dates below and contact our dedicated team escape@thenewtinsomerset.com 01963 577777.

Plot Your 2026 Escape

If you didn't manage to join us this year, fear not, the Great Garden Escape is back for 2026! A uniquely Newt experience for friends and family, as well as a fantastic team day out. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our dedicated team. We hope to see you aboard next year!

gge train

What's Included?

Tickets:

Running Fridays and Saturdays from March to December 2026

The Great Garden Escape ticket includes First Class return travel from London Paddington to The Newt in Somerset; guided tours, talks and tastings; meals from breakfast through to afternoon tea; plus 12-month Newt Membership (for a return visit under one’s own steam!)


Ticket price £375pp for adults, £325pp for children (ages 5-15)


Group bookings and exclusive use are available, with the option to tailor your escape with bespoke experiences.

Example Itinerary:

  • Meet & Greet at Paddington Station, First-Class Lounge, Platform 1 at 0830hrs
  • Train departs from Paddington Station at 0904hrs
  • Breakfast on board at leisure
  • Train arrives at Castle Cary Station at 1029hrs/1026hrs*
  • Transfer to The Newt in Somerset
  • Welcome and refreshments on arrival
  • Garden Tour at 1100hrs
  • Lunch in The Garden Café at 1215hrs
  • Exploration & Shopping at 1400hrs
  • Cyder Tour & Tasting at 1500hrs
  • Transfer to Castle Cary Station
  • Train departs Castle Cary Station at 1602hrs/1628hrs*
  • Afternoon Tea onboard at leisure
  • Train arrives at Paddington Station 1729hrs/1806hrs*
  • Fond farewells

*Friday/Saturday times. Please note, Great Garden Escape operates within the constraints of the National Rail network and timings may be subject to change.

A Festive Journey

All aboard, for one last trip to Somerset! Our final GGE date of 2025, is set to get you in the festive spirit. The estate and The Newt team will be in full Christmas cheer, as they share the estate and gardens with you on this totally unique day out. Enjoy a delicious 3-course festive menu at The Garden Cafe and tick a few presents off the list in our estate shops. We can't wait to welcome you!

Somerset Stopover

Step aboard our Great Garden Escape for a day immersed in Somerset’s beauty and stay a little longer with our new Somerset Stopover. This experience pairs your London to Somerset train adventure with a restful night at The Newt, allowing time to savour the gardens, the land, and the rhythm of rural life.

A Team Day Out

Our Great Garden Escape offers corporate teams a one-of-a-kind day out that begins with a luxurious train journey from London and unfolds into an immersive countryside experience of gardens, food, and craft. From breakfast on board to cider tastings and afternoon tea, it’s a seamless, restorative escape designed to inspire connection, creativity, and a fresh perspective.

Please email/call on escape@thenewtinsomerset.com/ 01963 577777 for any questions regarding corporate bookings.

The Finest Food from the Land

Throughout the day, guests will enjoy the bounty of our Somerset estate. From croissants baked that morning to a freshly prepared lunch at the glass-walled Garden Café, plucked from the soil beneath your feet. We celebrate the tradition of growing apples and making cyder with a private tasting at our Cyder Cellar, before serving an estate baked afternoon tea picnic for the return journey to Paddington.

If you're not the planning type, The Newt in Somerset's Great Garden Escape is a fun-filled pre-organised day trip that shows off the best of the British countryside.

Condé Nast Traveller