The Newt Podcast

The Bristol Fungarium's founder, Tom Baxter, leads us through the genesis tale of the UK's most recognised functional mushroom company, the weird and wonderful kingdom of fungi, the story of fungi and human evolution, the association between the compounds in mushrooms and our bodies.
We dig deep into functional mushrooms, what they may provide for us as a species. We learn about cordyceps, the 'zombie fungi' species and how they takeover their host insect species. We travel back millions of years to origins of life of this planet. And we look into the future and what opportunities this remarkable kingdom may have in store for the next generation of humans overcoming the challenges of modern life.
Join us for a trip into the fantastic world of fungi.
The next episode will be a walk through the fungi laboratory where we meet Tom's team of mycologists and learn the art behind breeding, growing, harvesting and extracting the compounds from a host of exceptional mushrooms, tune in in two weeks...
The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member to visit our estate yourself, stay the night, or shop The Newt online. 
Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens and inspirational Sister Estates.
Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset

Our host, Arthur Cole, takes us on an early morning tour of the Newt's most recent garden, The Four Seasons Garden. We delve into the design, planting and midsummer blooms bursting from the beds. We get closer to the early 20th Century Peter Pan statue, and move through all four seasons in one morning. We learn how Queen Anne's Lace got it's name, philosophise over the liminal nature of the seasons, tumble down the rabbit hole into a wonderland, and sneak a peak at the new feature in the Secret Garden. 
Join us for this early morning, enlightening and calming walk through the Four Seasons Garden.
The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member to visit our estate yourself, stay the night, or shop The Newt online. 
Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens and inspirational Sister Estates.
Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset

In this episode, we welcome flower farmer, florist, seed grower and author Milli Proust for a beautiful conversation about growing with the seasons and finding creativity in the garden.
Recorded as part of The Great Garden Show 2026, Milli shares her thoughtful approach to flowers, seed saving, naturalistic planting and the rhythms that shape life on a flower farm.
From the joy of cultivating beauty by hand to the lessons learned through patience, imperfection and close observation, this gentle and uplifting episode is full of inspiration for gardeners, growers and anyone drawn to the quiet magic of flowers.
The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member to visit our estate yourself, stay the night, or shop The Newt online. 
Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens and inspirational Sister Estates.
Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset

n this episode, we welcome conservationist, writer and campaigner Merlin Hanbury-Tenison for a moving and wide-ranging conversation about Britain’s forgotten temperate rainforests.
Recorded as part of The Great Garden Show 2026, Merlin reflects on his work at Cabilla on Bodmin Moor, the healing power of ancient woodland, and the urgent need to restore and protect one of the UK’s rarest habitats.
From rainforest restoration and regenerative land stewardship to the deep connection between nature, wellbeing and belonging, this inspiring episode invites us to look again at the landscapes around us — and to imagine a wilder, richer and more hopeful future.
The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member to visit our estate yourself, stay the night, or shop The Newt online. 
Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens and inspirational Sister Estates.
Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset

In this episode, we take a walk with the world-renowned fermentation revivalist Sandor Katz to explore the world of fermented foods. From Miso Soup, to Blackberry wine, asparagus and beyond, Sandor shares the stories, traditions and microbial magic behind fermentation practices that have nourished communities for thousands of years. 
Whether you're an experienced fermenter or simply curious about the foods that shape our lives, this episode offers an inspiring and thought-provoking journey into one of humanity's oldest culinary arts.
The Newt Podcast is created by the team at The Newt in Somerset and produced by Harry Coade at Sound Matters. If you enjoyed this episode, follow The Newt Podcast to enjoy more walks and talks across the estate, or better still become a Newt Member to visit our estate yourself, stay the night, or shop The Newt online. 
Your 12-month membership also gives you free entry to The Newt's 17 national and international Partner Gardens and inspirational Sister Estates.
Follow us on Instagram @thenewtinsomerset