Exploring Somerset: A Blend of Culinary and Creative Delights
Introduction to Somerset
Somerset, a picturesque county just three hours from London, is crafting a dynamic new creative and culinary identity. It boasts a landscape of green pastures adorned with hedgerows filled with cow parsley and wildflowers, embodying a rich agricultural heritage.
The Cheese Experience at Westcombe Dairy
Tom Calver, the cheesemaker at Westcombe Dairy, explains, “We’re trying to create a taste of a specific place.” This place is characterized by lush pastures and morning mists that envelop the valleys. The dairy farm is a beacon of quality, producing some of the finest Somerset cheddar.
On a visit to the cheese cellar, I witnessed approximately 5,000 rounds of cheddar. The Westcombe team’s commitment to regenerative farming practices enhances the flavors of their products, which include a traditional cloth-bound Somerset cheddar that is nutty, caramel-sweet, and slightly wild.
The Newt: A Culinary and Hotel Gem
The holistic approach to food and land is beautifully embodied by Newt in Somerset, a hotel situated on a 1,000-acre estate, steeped in Somerset heritage. The focus here is on fresh, garden-driven cuisine. The Farmyard Kitchen serves a delightful array of tapas-style dishes sourced from the estate’s gardens, offering a tasting experience that celebrates local flavors.
Head chef Alan Stewart emphasizes the importance of using fresh, seasonal products, enhancing the dining experience with ingredients picked daily from the estate’s gardens.
Discovering Frome
Frome, a charming market town, features a compact medieval center including Catherine Hill, alive with shops that offer rustic blooms and handmade crafts. One standout is Ground, a ceramics studio offering beautiful handmade pottery that reflects local artistry.
Cultural Highlights in Bruton
Bruton, known for its vibrant arts scene, became a cultural hotspot thanks to the opening of the Hauser & Wirth gallery on Durslade Farm in 2014. The high street brims with lifestyle shops, including Caro, which offers unique products from British makers.
Another remarkable place is Number One Bruton, a boutique hotel that features beautifully designed rooms enriched by local craftsmanship. The onsite restaurant Osip offers a Michelin-starred dining experience focused on seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding land.
A church bell rang softly as I wandered through the quaint streets of Somerset, enveloped by the rich aromas of local produce and the striking landscapes that tell the story of this remarkable region.
A version of this story first appeared in the December 2022/ January 2023 issue of iBestTravel under the headline “Ripe For The Picking.”
