SPRING has sprung and it’s beginning to feel like summer.

So what does that mean this historic garden complexes?

We spoke to Arthur Cole, head of programmes at The Newt in Somerset, to see what is on the agenda at the attraction…

Does it feel like the start of the season at The Newt?

“The seasons drive our agenda as a garden, a farm, a visitor attraction and an hotel. The programme of tours, workshops, courses, talks and events reflects the response of the landscape brought about by the seasonal change.

“Spring is my favourite time of year, the potential energy stored in the soil, seeds, stems and cells of the natural world is about to burst forth, and with it our programme of workshops, courses, tours, talks and events is blossoming.”

For someone who has never visited The Newt, how would you describe what they can expect?

“Come with no pre-conceptions, because they are almost certainly going to be dispelled!

“What is The Newt? The Newt is a garden in which to cultivate ideas: water them, nourish them, protect them and allow them to grow from concepts into tangible ‘living organisms’.

“The life-blood of The Newt is the team – it is this group of passionate, engaged, enthused and dedicated humans that breathes the life into the ideas and makes your visit the exceptional, inspiring and memorable experience that the great proportion of first-time visitors enjoy.

“Yes, we do have one of the most exciting horticultural projects for a generation, three engaging, entertaining and educational museums, world-class restaurants and a grotto that thrills and delights all ages – but without our team, and you the members, to bring them to life they are just exceptionally beautiful, sophisticated shells.”

Head of programmes at The Newt in Somerset, Arthur Cole

Are there any specials people can look forward to in the coming weeks/months?

“June has some fun new workshops… Hort Course: Succulents trialled last year and had such rave reviews that we have released it again. Hort Course: Espalier Fruit Training – in the wake of our Parabola apples being awarded National Collection status, ‘The National Collection of Apples by County’, we have the apple man himself Andy ‘Apples’ Lewis leading a course on how to espalier your fruit trees.

“Gardener & Chef – this is a favourite. Buggy over to our market garden, pick your veg while learning from the team how and what to grow, buggy back to the main estate to cook with Garden Café chef Beth Hopkinson, and eat your lunch al fresco under the dappled shade looking over the gardens. Bliss.

How do you balance a commitment to the rich history of the estate, with bringing something new for visitors?

“We are privileged to have a well-documented history of the gardens and estate, and the generosity of Penelope Hobhouse and her son Niall in sharing their archive and their memories has afforded us the opportunity to paint a rich picture of what we, as a business, have taken stewardship of.

“Estates such as Hadspen have always innovated and developed. Look at how Vickris Dickinson (enters 1747, departs 1767) built the Georgian Palladian mansion, cleared acres of woodland and developed the gardens in the mid-18th Century.

“See Henry Hobhouse II’s (enters 1785, departs 1792) late-18th Century parabola walled garden with its south wall orientated at 128 degrees to ensure full sun even on the shortest day of the year.

“Gaze into the flower hybrids created by Penelope Hobhouse (enters 1952, departs 1983) and celebrated plant breeder Eric Smith in the 1970s, and glean inspirational planting ideas through Nori and Sandra Pope’s (enters 1985, departs 2005) colour garden.

“All of these historical influences have encouraged and guided us when creating the new gardens, exhibition spaces, restaurants and hotels.

“We look to the future, while remembering the past.”

For more information on The Newt in Somerset – and for booking information – log on to thenewtinsomerset.com.