I’ve only visited Glastonbury once, and it was quite an amiable experience. It happened in 2011 when Beyoncé topped the bill on Sunday night at the Pyramid Stage, followed by perennial favorites Coldplay on Saturday, who put on a spectacular show after pausing their massive 360 Tour for this event. On Friday, U2 surprised everyone with an extraordinary performance as well. They arrived directly from playing in Baltimore the previous evening via private plane. From there, they were quickly transported to the luxurious Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. The following morning, we took a helicopter ride over to the festival grounds where we were met by several Mercedes vehicles ready to take us right behind the scenes.
This year, though, the trendy spot for lodging is the cool hotel.
The Newt
Surrounding a limestone Georgian mansion called Hadspen House, which is merely a 20-minute drive from the festival location. Importantly, it’s also accessible within a few minutes via helicopter—when I visited recently, one landed in the grounds right in front of the house; this seems like such a frequent occurrence that nobody paid much attention to it.
Over the course of the festival weekend, the staff frequently find themselves with minimal tasks since the peak period usually occurs around 1 am. This is when attendees and entertainers return from the event, seeking dinner or anticipating an early morning drink. In contrast, during each remaining weekend throughout the year, the premises buzz with energy, providing one of the finest guest-to-employee ratios found at any lodging within the nation (the Newt has more than 600 employees, nearly all hailing from nearby areas).
Just a couple of hours away from London lies The Newt, one of England’s most exquisite country-house hotels. Although this place dates back to 1687, it didn’t become a hotel until 2019—and what a remarkable transformation it was. Described as a reinvented country home, it truly lives up to its billing. This property provides an incredibly enriching stay featuring elegant suites, AAA-standard cuisine, expansive gardens (open for day visits under their creative member program), forests, a functional apple press, a model Roman dwelling, and a bustling community of bees called Beezantium. Accommodations here range across both the historic stone mansion itself and adjacent barns, all within reach of a stunning spa area and an enchanting indoor/outdoor swimming facility reminiscent of those found in Beverly Hills. Behind-the-scenes operations are just as noteworthy; the culinary hub at Farmyard Kitchen excels in utilizing fresh ingredients sourced directly from the sprawling grounds—altogether covering around 900 acres.
I roamed the premises for hours, moving from one farming marvel to another, tasting the meals destined for my dinner plate later that day. Frankly, there is a slaughterhouse here that surpasses the luxury of numerous seven-star accommodations where I’ve lodged previously. While the room service may not be top-notch, the lodging itself is magnificent. It also includes a built-in sense of smug satisfaction; once the day visitors—whether they’re sated or we’ve grown weary of them—are gone, you can quietly retreat into the tranquility of the hotel. This experience somewhat mirrors visiting Capri, where after the diners and shoppers board boats bound for Sorrento before the final departure, only those who remain get to enjoy the serene ambiance left behind.
The property was purchased by the previous editor of
South Africa’s
Elle Decoration
, Karen Roos
, along with her telecommunications tycoon spouse, Koos Bekker, initiated this project in 2013. After significant refurbishments, it made its grand return with considerable excitement in 2019 and has subsequently developed quite a devoted following (personally, I’d label it as currently being THE trendy spot). Some acquaintances residing nearby informed me about their yearly membership allowing access to both the grounds and the associated eatery; upon hearing my visit plans, these friends emphasized just how fortunate I was considered to be.
‘We’ve never been to a place quite like this,’ they remarked nearly in unison, and I understood why. These weren’t your usual upscale resort guests; hence, their opinions held significant weight. This establishment resembles both a classic British countryside manor house and a robust agricultural hub (their dining options draw from crops cultivated onsite). Though typically labeled as high-end lodging, it exudes a relaxed atmosphere akin to staying at a cozy pub. I have visited another remarkable location under the same management group—Babylonstoren in South Africa—a wine estate known for its serene, refined ambiance marked by top-notch hospitality and cuisine. Any complaints? Just one: the petite dimensions of the television in my room—it was about the size of a mid-size purse—which wasn’t really an issue since I didn’t watch much during my stay.
I won’t be attending Glastonbury this year since U2 isn’t playing, yet I find myself wishing I could go—I wouldn’t head over just to see performers like The 1975 or Olivia Rodrigo, but rather to spend a couple of days and nights there.
The Newt
There truly isn’t another place quite like this anywhere in the nation. After our visit, they whisked us away in stylish vehicles branded with their “Newt Landy” logo to Castle Cary Station. Upon arrival, visitors are invited to hang out at the Creamery café until their train departs, enjoying what is essentially an upmarket eatery and boutique run by The Newt, serving almost as a luxurious waiting area framing your entire experience here. Feeling obligated, I purchased two crates of the excellent estate-brewed cider and began pondering how I might perform headlining sets at Glastonbury Festival next year.
thenewtinsomerset.com
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