BRUTON -SOMERSET
SOMERSET
Gateway to the west country, Somerset is a land of myth and mystery. Abuzz with agriculture and industry, 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
Over the last few years, the old market town of Bruton has risen in its notoriety. Some might say, due to it’s recognised natural beauty and proximity to the endlessly exciting Glastonbury and others might attribute it to the increase in ‘popular’ new pop ups, shops and restaurants.
I would say that it is surely both. You cannot deny that there appears to be new and exciting prospects popping up all over the place in Somerset, a County of boundless beauty and sustenance and it does seem to be that the new place to go eat or shop to grab that beautiful new piece seems to be in or near Bruton. It has certainly drawn me in!
So we headed to Bruton for a quick, but leisurely 24 hour break. I knew exactly what our itinerary was and I am very glad to report back that we had the most fabulously relaxing and inspiring time.
The Newt Somerset
We began our trip by visiting the glorious Newt Estate & Gardens, located in between the old market towns of Bruton & Castle Cary. This Estate offers a wide range of options. From the luxurious and breath taking Hotel (not in our budget sadly) with SPA, to a selection of exciting eateries and extensive and thoroughly considered and manicured gardens and woodland.
“The gardens at The Newt 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.” https://thenewtinsomerset.com/garden
I have visited the Newt a number of times, my brother lives near by and my mother & I felt that it was well worth the membership commitment as we would visit on a number of occasions.
The membership will set you back from £75 annually for an adult, children under 16 yrs are free and a guest pass is £20 per trip. Sadly you cannot enter without being a member yourself or accompanying a member. More information can be found on their website.
After parking your car/bike in the well manicured and spacious car park, you make your way up a wooden walk way, taking you through the woodland leading you towards the main hub of the estate. There is a small wooden cabin where you scan your passes and then you carry on, approximately 5 minutes, until you come upon the beautiful entrance, adorned with restored tractors and spectacular instillments hanging above the reception, swimming in natural light and vibrant and exciting seasonal decorations. the style is rural, minimalist but always eye catching.
You head out into the opening of the garden estate, Cyder press & cafe on your right and ever tempting gift shop to your left.
The gardens are the perfect place to let the children run free and explore and the presence of a fabulous Gelatoria makes for the perfect treat once the kids have run out all their energy and excitement.
I could go on about the newt for hours, it is pretty special. Take a look at their website or even better, take. trip there yourself if possible and see what all the hype is about. I really don’t think that you’ll be disappointed!
Having spent our morning at the Newt, although we did treat ourselves to Gelato, coffee, pastries and a few goodies from the Food Shop, we of course needed to eat again so we headed off towards Batcombe to The Three Horseshoes for a good old pub lunch. Something that we miss dearly, living in France.
The Three Horseshoes a 17th-century pub located in the village of Batcombe in Somerset. The pub offers fine ales, outdoor seating, great food, private dining and 5 beautiful, en-suite rooms.
It has been beautifully renovated in that it has maintained its authentic and traditional ‘pub’ character whilst introducing the appropriately ‘stylish’ touches.
We were greeted at the bar by a friendly smile and promise of local lagers. We plonked ourselves alongside the roaring fire and gulped down a half pint. Once we were situated at our table in the spacious and convivial dining room, we struggles our way through the menu. What to choose!
The menu was, for me, perfectly sized. Enough variety to please a selection of diners but not too expansive that you fear that the kitchen might not have a speciality or eye on the local and seasonal element that I so enjoy. We are pie enthusiasts and seafood/fish lovers so we enthusiastically opted for Lemon Sole with seasonal new potato sides and Steak & Onion Pie.
We chose well, the meal was absolutely delicious. We had a white wine recommendation that paired very well with the fish and the company and the meal ended with finger wiped clean plates. All in all, an ideal pub lunch, one we recommended immediately to friends and family.
After a lunchtime vino and a very filling and delicious meal, we needed a nap! So off we headed, into Bruton, to find our chosen B&B for the night. The 8 minute drive into Bruton is entirely manageable, the parking in Bruton is a bit tricky but our hotel had advised us that we could book a space in advance if needed, via them, we found some space behind the hotel.
On arrival in Bruton we quickly found Number 1 Bruton, nestled into the high street, behind a bright yellow door. We were met with a warm smile and the most generous of service.
We were led to our room, which was a gorgeous and very comfortable suite. Consisting of small but perfectly formed sitting area with a flat screen tv and log fire, leading onto a very inviting Kingsize bed dressed in soft linens and stunning fabrics. Then a light, warm and wonderfully roomy bathroom. Walking rain shower, roll top bath and toiletries, bath robes & the fluffiest bath towels.
After a little snooze, we got ready for dinner with friends whilst sipping on a G&T that the reception kindly prepared for us.
Now some people might have opted out of dinner after a large lunch, not us! We had simply expanded our stomaches at lunch and our appetite for great food so we were very much in need of topping up.
We had opted for a intimate and character full bistro, conveniently located directly next door to Number 1.
The Old Pharmacy is a wine bar, bistro and grocery store housed in a 500 year old building that was previously a Pharmacy. A daily changing blackboard menu offers a selection of small dishes to share using homegrown ingredients from our farm and the tiny adjacent shop sells grocery items to take away as well as Roundhill coffee, organic wines and local cider.
The atmosphere was friendly and yet intimate. Moody and yet inviting. It had the feel of a favourite local haunt but also that exciting new find that you instantly want to share with friends. It proved to be the ideal spot to join friends for a fabulously tasty meal.
We joked that we should take one of everything on the menu, we ended up doing exactly that! We did not want to choose between the pastas, the schnitzel, the gnuddi or the asparagus. We took it all. Correct choice again!
Paired with a full bodied Sardinian red wine and the most delicious company. The food disappeared in the blink of an eye, as did the time. We would happily have taken the meal allover again.
Being that we were staying directly next door and friends had a babysitter to relieve, we managed to get back to our gorgeous room in good time. A lovely cup of herbal tea and a sensible bedtime meant that we had a really good night sleep and woke up the next morning raring to go and we hop skipped downstairs for breakfast.
Breakfast at Number 1 is served daily in the simple splendour of OSIP restaurant, the Michelin restaurant that is partnered with Number 1 and brings in many adoring visitors (we have eaten there previously) due to its exciting, delicious and stunning cuisine.
Breakfast looked beautiful and it tasted just as good as it looked. Freshly made to order coffee brought to your table on request and a small but again, perfectly formed breakfast buffet was presented on the bar.
Freshly pressed juices, crispy local apples and rhubarb compote to top your selection of homemade granola. Pastries and sourdough fetched from the near by Newt Bakery and my favourite, small batch Farmhouse Cheddar that melts in your mouth made especially for OSIP and Number 1. Sadly I couldn’t buy any to take home. This was without a doubt my favourite breakfast, that I have enjoyed for years.
The perfect start to the day and end to a wonderful 24 hours in Bruton/Somerset.
