LONG HAZEL PARK
Adult Only Touring Caravan Park & Camping
Self-catering Holiday Lodge Accommodation For hire
Sparkford Somerset
TOURING CARAVAN PARK AND CAMPSITE NEAR THE NEWT IN SOMERSET
The Newt in Somerset is a Georgian country estate with 900 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, farmland and gardens. Open in all seasons - and all weathers - you could easily spend a whole week visiting The Newt and still find things to do! It is an absolute must for gardening fans, as well as those who like walking, and great food.
We are just 4 miles away from The Newt in Somerset, which is part-way between Castle Cary and Bruton, and an easy drive - or many of our guests use their electric bikes to ride there. There is parking for cars, bikes, motorcycles and motorhomes.
Formerly known as Hadspen House, the manor house is built from local golden Cary stone. The house itself dates back to the 18th Century. Whilst the house has been listed on many historical surveys of the area, it is arguably the gardens which are the most important part of the estate.
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The gardens were created a la française, with geometric planting and fountains, as well as panoramic views towards South Somerset. In the 1960s, the gardens were redesigned by Penelope Hobhouse in an Arts and Crafts style, with many anemones, hellebores and hostas still bearing the Hadspen name.
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From 1998 to 2005, the garden was redesigned by Nori and Sanda Pope, to create more than a kilometre of coloured borders with many rare plants. This became the inspiration behind a very influential book, "Colour by Design" and made Hadspen one of the most talked about gardens in the country.
The Newt history
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The Newt's parabola style garden features 330 varieties of apple, which are mostly Old English varities assigned in order of English counties.
The Newt holds a variety of events throughout the year, which often co-incide with the Bank Holiday weekends.
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Spring: Easter Weekend
Garden Day Weekend (Early May Bank Holiday)
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Summer: Garden Lates
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Autumn: Apple Day
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Winter: Christmas Showcase
In the mid-19th Century, remains of a Roman villa were found in the grounds of Hadspen house. The remains were covered up again, until a full excavation could take place in 2015.
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The Newt have built a museum including the remains, with ruins dating back to 315 CE. Alongside the museum, there is a full-scale recreation of the original villa.
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For RHS members, The Newt is a Partner Garden and offers free entry on Tuesdays.
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An annual membership to The Newt entitles you to entry to any of their partner gardens, including The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Eden Project, Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace and their South African sister garden, Babylonstoren.
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The Newt are also sponsors of the Chelsea Flower Show from 2021 to 2025, providing their rosé wine and cider as the official drinks of the event. Small versions of areas of The Newt have been recreated at the Chelsea Flower Show, including the Beezantium and the Roman villa.