Billionaire Koos Bekker Opens Luxury Lodge in Somerset, England

Koos Bekker has opened a new luxury lodge in Somerset, England, for the who's who of the world. The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. The 16-bedroom Yarlington Lodge is part of The Newt in Somerset, the award-winning country estate owned by Bekker and his wife, Karen Roos.

Yarlington Lodge is located in the village of Yarlington, about 1.6km from The Newt's main Hadspen House estate, The property spans 12 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland. The estate consists of three separate residences: An eight-bedroom main lodge A four-bedroom Coach House A four-bedroom Cottage in the Wall Together, they can accommodate up to 32 guests. Visitors have exclusive access to a range of luxury amenities, including: Indoor-outdoor swimming pool Tennis court Croquet lawn Cinema room Speakeasy-style bar Glasshouse dining venue Private gardens and walking trails Guests also receive a 12-month membership to The Newt and can request butler service, spa treatments, personal trainers, childcare and meals prepared using produce grown on the estate.

The expansion of The Newt has caused controversy among local residents, with some launching a campaign to boycott businesses owned by Bekker. The Newt has grown from around 800 acres to approximately 3,000 acres and now employs about 600 people. Residents of nearby Castle Cary have recently linked the estate's growing influence to rising property prices in the area.

Bekker has acknowledged that The Newt has yet to become profitable despite more than a decade of investment estimated at around $334 million. Much of the funding has come from the sale of shares in Naspers and Prosus, the companies through which Bekker built his fortune after backing Chinese technology giant Tencent in 2001. Forbes currently estimates Bekker's net worth at approximately $3.4 billion, making him the 1,262nd-richest person in the world and the fifth-richest South African.

The Newt is just one of several luxury hospitality ventures owned by Bekker and Roos. Their portfolio also includes the renowned Babylonstoren wine estate in the Cape Winelands, the Blou coastal retreat near Plettenberg Bay, reserved for guests of Babylonstoren or The Newt. In addition, the portfolio includes an estate in Tuscany which is currently being redeveloped ahead of a planned 2027 opening, and a farm near Amsterdam.

The Newt sponsored the Chelsea Flower Show from 2022 but stepped back last year. In May it launched its own nine-day horticultural festival, the Great Garden Show, positioning the estate as a rival to the event it previously backed. With the launch of Yarlington Lodge, the 73-year-old South African billionaire continues to expand his international luxury tourism footprint while positioning The Newt as one of Britain's premier countryside destinations.

The luxury lodge opening comes as Bekker and Roos continue to expand their presence in Somerset. Since purchasing Hadspen House for £12 million in 2013, they have transformed the estate into one of Britain's leading luxury country retreats. However, the expansion has not been without controversy, with some residents expressing concern over the impact on local property prices.

Bekker has acknowledged that The Newt has yet to become profitable despite more than a decade of investment. Much of the funding has come from the sale of shares in Naspers and Prosus, the companies through which Bekker built his fortune.

Yarlington Lodge is the latest addition to Bekker and Roos's luxury hospitality portfolio. With prices starting at £10,500 per night, the lodge offers guests an exclusive and opulent experience. The estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

The Newt's expansion has caused controversy among local residents, with some launching a campaign to boycott businesses owned by Bekker. However, the estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

Bekker's net worth is estimated at approximately $3.4 billion, making him the 1,262nd-richest person in the world and the fifth-richest South African. The Newt is just one of several luxury hospitality ventures owned by Bekker and Roos.

The Newt sponsored the Chelsea Flower Show from 2022 but stepped back last year. In May, it launched its own nine-day horticultural festival, the Great Garden Show, positioning the estate as a rival to the event it previously backed.

Bekker's expansion of The Newt has drawn attention from luxury travelers and investors alike. The estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

The luxury lodge opening marks a significant milestone in Bekker and Roos's expansion of The Newt. With prices starting at £10,500 per night, the lodge offers guests an exclusive and opulent experience. The estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

Bekker's net worth is estimated at approximately $3.4 billion, making him the 1,262nd-richest person in the world and the fifth-richest South African. The Newt is just one of several luxury hospitality ventures owned by Bekker and Roos.

The Newt's expansion has caused controversy among local residents, with some launching a campaign to boycott businesses owned by Bekker. However, the estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

Koos Bekker, a South African billionaire, has opened a new luxury lodge in Somerset, England. The lodge is part of The Newt in Somerset, the award-winning country estate owned by Bekker and his wife, Karen Roos.

With prices starting at £10,500 per night, the lodge offers guests an exclusive and opulent experience. The estate's luxurious amenities and stunning landscapes make it a unique and unforgettable destination.

Bekker has acknowledged that The Newt has yet to become profitable despite more than a decade of investment. Much of the funding has come from the sale of shares in Naspers and Prosus.

Bekker and Roos's luxury hospitality portfolio includes the renowned Babylonstoren wine estate in the Cape Winelands, the Blou coastal retreat near Plettenberg Bay, and an estate in Tuscany which is currently being redeveloped ahead of a planned 2027 opening.

And to top it all off, The Newt launched its own nine-day horticultural festival, the Great Garden Show, in May. This positions the estate as a rival to the Chelsea Flower Show it previously backed.