Project Overview 

The Roman Villa at The Newt in Somerset is a unique visitor attraction, built around the preserved remains of a 351AD Roman villa. A new museum and full-size recreation of Villa Ventorum bring history to life, surrounded by formal gardens, a working vineyard, and carefully integrated water features. Waterscapes were engaged to deliver all mechanical and electrical works for the garden’s water features, including the distinctive Roman latrine streams, and a fully automatic irrigation system serving the gardens, parkland, and vineyard. 

Technical & Sustainability Details 

The project features a rectangular reflective pool built from local stone, designed to provide a still, calming focal point in the gardens. The Roman latrine streams are a memorable highlight: water is drawn from a dedicated plant space and pumped into hidden inlets within the toilet block walls, flowing down stone channels to create an authentic visual and sound effect. Irrigation is managed through 26 separate zones using a Rain Bird ESP-LXD 2-wire decoder system, allowing remote monitoring and control. Water is sourced from a dedicated borehole over 1.5 kilometres away, then filtered and treated to manage the site’s high calcium carbonate content. The vineyard employs 16mm LDPE tubing with dual drip emitters at each vine, with rows controlled as individual zones for precise water management. 

Design & Collaboration 

All water features and landscape elements were designed with sensitivity to the villa’s archaeological context. Pipework and control equipment were installed only in previously cleared or made-up ground. The project was delivered in collaboration with Emily Estates, Stonewood Builders Ltd, Stonewood Design, and The Newt’s in-house landscape team, ensuring a seamless integration with the estate’s broader water infrastructure. 

Results & Outcomes 

The Roman Villa project stands out for its blend of historical authenticity and technical precision. The reflective pool and Roman latrine streams create a unique visitor experience, while the advanced irrigation system supports both ornamental gardens and productive vineyard. Integration with the estate-wide groundwater network demonstrates a sustainable, joined-up approach to water management at The Newt.