Adult Only Touring Caravan Park & Camping
Self-catering Holiday Lodge Accommodation For hire
Sparkford Somerset
VISIT BRUTON DURING YOUR STAY AT LONG HAZEL PARK, CARAVAN PARK & CAMPSITE
Somerset's most fashionable town of Bruton is known by the national newspapers as the "new Notting Hill", with many celebrity inhabitants and trendy restaurants to visit. With the arrival of Swiss art gallerists, Hauser & Wirth, in 2018, this has become an ideal setting for independent shops, restaurants and beautiful spots to visit.
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Bruton is just 7 miles away from our caravan park and campsite in Sparkford and is well worth a visit for those looking for the most talked-about areas of Somerset. Bruton is also easily combined with a visit to The Newt, which is situated half way between Bruton and nearby Castle Cary and will appeal to those looking for beautiful gardens to visit, along with the beautiful Oudolf Field at Hauser & Wirth.
The Grade II listed Dovecote in Bruton is part of the National Trust conservation organisation and is free to visit. The building is thought to be dated from the 16th century and used as a watch tower. As there are a number of old castle sites in the area at Castle Cary and North Cadbury, this may have been used alongside these strongholds as a defence for the gateway to the West Country.
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The Dovecote was thought to have been converted from a lookout tower to a dovecote, as it was too far from other historical buildings in the town to be a useful pigeon tower for the Bruton Abbey estate.
With galleries in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, Hauser & Wirth purchased and restored a former farm on the outskirts of Bruton to showcase their vast art collection. The gallery is free to visit, with approximately two exhibitions per year including art from Turner prize winners and some of the biggest names in modern art.
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With stunning historical buildings in the grounds, the site was formerly used to film "Chocolat" and is now home to gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, most famous for his prominent gardens in New York and the Netherlands.
In 2021, Bruton gained its first Michelin-starred restaurant in Osip, which has now relocated to just outside of the town. The chef has opened a wine bar and bistro on the high street, The Old Pharmacy, offering local food with an Italian style.
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Town favourite, At The Chapel, launched in a renovated chapel on the high street and is a favourite for pizza, cocktails and coffees. It is one of the most popular shots for photos of the area.
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Matt's Kitchen is a small restaurant run by chef, Matt, in his house. The restaurant is one of the first to open in newly-fashionable Bruton in 2010 and has even featured in The New York Times.​
Bruton's largest gallery, Hauser & Wirth, is also home to Roth Bar, an art installation and cocktail bar using local ingredients from their nearby farm. The bar hosts jazz bands and DJs to play alongside cocktail hour and Sunday roasts. Locally produced cider and wine grown in their own vineyards are also sold at the bar.
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Roth Bar also cook feasts over fire at regular events held by Huaser & Wirth in their grounds, including summer fetes, gallery openings and bonfire night.
Chelsea Flower Show sponsors, The Newt, are based half way between Bruton and Castle Cary, showcasing the 300 acres of farmland, formal gardens and woodland.
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The Newt is home to rare breed cattle and several food and drink options, with formal restaurants, a farm shop and cyder bar. The grounds are situated in a Georgian manor built of local Cary stone and many events are hosted throughout the year, including a Somerset BBQ in September time and Apple Day to celebrate the cider apple harvest.
Aside from Hauser & Wirth gallery, there are many other galleries worth visiting, displaying paintings, photographs and sculpture.
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Bo Lee and Workman is situated in a converted Methodist church, showcasing contemporary art with frequent changes to exhibitions.
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Make is situated on the High Street in a Georgian townhouse as a destination for contemporary makers.
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Fein Collections is home to exhibitions showcasing several contemporary photographers and painters.
Bruton has a great high street full of independent shops, including:
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The Record Room - record store
Philo and Philo - vintage furniture
Swan Vintage - homeware and clothing
Cabbages and Roses - clothing, homeware and fabric
New Romantic - home and furniture
The Antique shop - local antiques, maps and photographs
The Stripy Duck - bookshop and cafe
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