Explore Our Partner Gardens

The Newt in Somerset

A Country Estate, Reimagined

The Newt is a working estate in Somerset with acres of splendid gardens, woodland, farmland and cyder orchards to explore. The gardens have been shaped over the last 200 years by successive enthusiasts, including Margaret Hobhouse who elevated them to a Victorian ideal, introducing colour, a greenhouse and many trees of beech, oak, pine, walnut and cedar. Renowned garden designer Penelope Hobhouse gave Margaret’s vision a new lease of life in the 1970s, followed by Nori and Sandra Pope, whose experiments with colour delighted and inspired thousands of visitors in the mid-1980s.

The latest incarnation has been created by Italo-French architect Patrice Taravella, who believes a garden should be both beautiful and useful. Mixing ornamental and productive elements, the gardens are a feast for the eyes and stomach. At their core sits the Parabola, a walled garden concealing an apple tree maze; at their edges, diverse woodland providing a sheltered habitat for native wildlife.

Discover something new during your visit. Transport yourself back to Roman Britannia and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors in the reimagined Villa Ventorum. Steel yourself for an aerial walk through elegant boughs of noble ash, then get hands on with soil, scents, botany and design at The Story of Gardening.

Visit the world’s most famous gardens in virtual reality pods, admiring the abundant fruit trees of Babylonstoren or gazing into the lily ponds at Monet’s Giverny. Peek into the fascinating life of bees and their hives at the Beezantium. No visit is complete without perusing Somerset specialities and estate breads, meats, cheeses, preserves and cyders in the Farm Shop, or finding the perfect gift in the House & Garden Shop.

Sculpture by the Lakes

A Haven of Tranquillity in the Dorest Countryside

Nestled in 26 acres of glorious countryside, Sculpture by the Lakes is a tranquil haven that enables visitors to take a breath and immerse themselves in an unforgettable experience. Discover a beautiful compilation of sculptures, mostly by co-owner and renowned contemporary sculptor Simon Gudgeon. Each piece is complimented by the carefully crafted landscape in which it resides – the work of Garden Director Monique Gudgeon’s horticultural hand.

Home to a plethora of wildlife, this breath-taking site was awarded Botanic Garden accreditation in 2023, the only sculpture park in the world to receive the accolade from Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). It is a clear indication of the amount of love and craft poured into every inch which celebrates the seamless symmetry between art, nature and relaxation.

The BGCI aims to recognise gardens which conform to the highest international standards which make significant contributions to plant conservation, enabling Sculpture by the Lakes to join the likes of The Eden Project and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Lose time and unwind in the sculpture park and make your day feel really special at the Makers Yard. Here you can enjoy delicious homemade food in the Kitchen, with produce sourced on-site at the kitchen garden.

An on-site Gallery featuring UK and international artists, as well as Simon’s works, is open to creative people with a love for the outdoors. Within the Store you can find artisan gifts and luxury goods while the Pantry sells delectable produce – much of which is made by the Kitchen’s chefs and hand delivered – available to take home.