What a packed day! Our exclusive visit to The Newt in Somerset included a guided tour of Villa Ventorum by archaeologist Ric Weeks, their Exhibitions Manager, followed by a self-guided tour of the museum and reconstructed Roman villa. Afterwards, there was free time to explore the beautiful venue, including The Story of Gardening exhibition and Beezantium.
It was fantastic to see so many freelancers and colleagues representing sector organisations in the South West come together, and we had some really productive conversations. Despite the rain there was a buzz in the air, and people were really pleased to hear that the South West Fed plans to go forward with more face-to-face meetings, with the next one being our Christmas networking event this December.
The Newt is a truly unique site – privately funded and guided by the owner’s desire to create a high quality heritage experience, the result is a fully immersive experience incorporating the amazing archaeology found on the site, museum interpretation including digital and interactive displays, and a fully reconstructed Roman villa and vineyard with VR experience. There is even an opportunity to try Roman food and wine!
One of the challenging aspects for The Newt is around accessibility, especially the barrier of the membership fee. The team there are working with local residents and community groups to ensure more people can visit and enjoy the site.
The South West Fed extends its thanks to the team at The Newt for sharing your journey so far with us. It was fascinating to hear about the work you are doing!
Find out more: thenewtinsomerset.com