is a friendly town tucked into the heart of the Somerset countryside. Where the town once, many centuries ago, had the titular castle overlooking it, there is now an equally grand building defining its future. The Newt in Somerset opened in August 2019 and has recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Described as a "place of wonderment" on its website, the Newt boasts a 17th century manor house, a cyder brewery, a spa, a medieval herb garden, and even a replica Roman villa. Guests are beckoned to its doors by a number of activities harkening back to a simpler bygone era: visitors can learn how to prune late summer fruits, the basics of butchering lamb, and the art of dry stonewalling. It's a hotel the lords and ladies of the lost castle would have been envious of.
But what do the residents think of the grand estate on their doorstep? People I spoke to in Castle Cary this week had a diverse range of opinions – - but everyone seemed to have one. John, co-owner of the bespoke curtain making and homeware shop spoke warmly of the hotel. He noted the employment opportunities and footfall it brought to the town, as well as some truly impressive renovations.
He said: "They've really done a marvellous job on the grounds. There's so much to do up there. They've even built a roman villa.
"We knew there was a mosaics floor discovered there, so they dug that up, put a museum on top and right next door built a roman villa. It's got all the painted murals, hot baths in there and everyth.