Somerset’s beloved destination, The Newt, has earned a prestigious spot on The Times’ list of the UK’s ‘poshest’ bakeries. Primarily celebrated for its enchanting hotel and stunning gardens, The Newt has impressed discerning food lovers with its artisanal bakery offerings, ranking fourth nationwide.
Alongside other notable bakeries from Bristol and beyond, The Newt caught attention for its premium-priced delicacies, including a pea and goat’s cheese tart at £10.95 for two, and a cheddar, ham hock, and mustard tart at £10 for two. These sumptuous pastries highlight the growing appetite among Gen Z and Millennials for luxury baked goods, who are willing to queue longer and pay more for refined flavors and quality ingredients.
The Times described this rising trend as a ‘pastry cult,’ noting how the craze for deluxe pastries is extending beyond London’s boundaries, reaching regional gems like The Newt.
Reflecting the essence of Somerset, The Newt’s bakery embraces local ingredients and sustainability. Their website explains, “Whatever we craft here at The Newt, we aim to harness something of the Somerset landscape in its flavours and character. Nowhere is this ethos more evident than in our bakery.” Examples include using apple pulp from their own cyder press to enrich their Apple Waste Sourdough and fresh garden herbs to add seasonal twists to their sweet treats.
Located in Bruton, The Newt’s bakers meticulously handcraft everything daily—from rustic sourdoughs and seasonal cakes to buttery pastries and soft sweet buns. Head Baker Paulo Silva expresses his passion for baking: “There’s always been something magical about baking for me. Taking a few simple ingredients, mixing and working them, seeing them slowly transform. It never gets boring. But you can’t rush it, so we always take our time, crafting our doughs and pastries carefully so you can taste the quality in every bite.”
With its commitment to craftsmanship and local flavor, The Newt bakery exemplifies Somerset’s rich culinary heritage and the nation’s growing love for premium artisanal baking.