New luxury hotel at Hadspen House named the Newt in Somerset

The luxury hotel and spa that is being developed at Hadspen House near Bruton, Somerset, is to be called the Newt in Somerset.

Details of the name have been revealed on the hotel's social media channels and website, which states that the gardens of the property will open to the public in May. The hotel is expected to open in the summer.

The Newt is owned by South African businessman Koos Bekker, who bought the Grade I-Iisted, 17th century house set on the Emily Estate in 2013. Bekker is the owner of Babylonstoren, a preserved Cape Dutch farm estate in the Drakenstein valley, South Africa, with a hotel, spa, restaurant and winery

Planning permission has been granted by South Somerset District Council to transform the property into a hotel with 30 to 35 bedrooms, a spa and visitor centre. There will also be an 80-cover restaurant using fresh produce from the kitchen garden, a 70-80-cover café, pool, farm shop and cider mill.

The hotel operations will be headed by Andrew Foulkes, former manager of the Abbey hotel in Bath and 2017 Cateys Manager of the Year.

It is believed that the Newt name stems from the protected great crested newts that have been found on the estate.

A spokesperson for the Newt in Somerset confirmed the opening dates of the gardens and hotel, but declined to give further details.

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