The Newt in Somerset

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to pay a visit to the Newt Estate in Somerset county. The estate and Gardens are privately owned and managed and are some of the most beautiful I have ever visited. The D-shaped Parabola,  originally designed as a walled kitchen garden by Henry Hobhouse the II, is now an extensive collection of intricately trained apple trees, arranged in a Baroque-style maze. Representing every apple-growing county in England. The Parabola encloses around 3,000 square metres of garden in 9ft walls and contains 460 apple trees of 267 varieties. 

The produce garden grows more than 350 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs to support the estate's restaurants and Farm Shop. Though few are shown in the below photographs as it is February. 

Previously called Hadspen House, the main building on the Newt Estate is a Grade II*-listed building. The original farmer’s house was built between 1687-1690, while garden plans were conceived and ground broken in 1691.

All in all, it was an absolutely amazing experience and I look forward to going again later in the year to witness another season.