Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
A flying visit to the on site cafe and the house. Brief glimpse of the gardens but we did not go in.
Nice place, grand house and the part of the garden that we saw looked good. Will return to spend more time here.
Recommended when in the area.
Nice place, grand house and the part of the garden that we saw looked good. Will return to spend more time here.
Recommended when in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful location, gardens and house.
Source: google.com
I visited the gardens yesterday. It's the middle of a heat wave and this was reflective in the gardens with parched grass, water rills dried out and plants under severe pressure.
Not withstanding, superb garden design by Lutyens and planting byJekyll. Despite the parched ground, still alot of colour in the gardens.
Would live to visit in the spring again when a bit more lush and less parched.
Nice food and coffee in the restaurant
Not withstanding, superb garden design by Lutyens and planting byJekyll. Despite the parched ground, still alot of colour in the gardens.
Would live to visit in the spring again when a bit more lush and less parched.
Nice food and coffee in the restaurant
Source: google.com
Wonderful place to visit, excellent food, great views, the house is definitely worth a visit and the walks around the lakes etc., well worth a visit stunning.
Source: google.com
My wife and I had a lovely day at Hestercombe. All staff were extremely helpful. The restaurant was excellent with staff who were very attentive l. From the formal gardens with an exceptional view from the house to the walk up the wooded valley it was terrific. Highly recommend a visit.
Source: google.com
An old country house set in charming surroundings. The house is mostly empty with displays on it's history and art, so do not expect a full house! However, the gardens are wonderful, with a mixture of three eras of history. Unfortunately with the summer weather some of it looked a bit overgrown and unkempt, but this did add a "secret garden" feel. The cafe and shop offered a wide selection and were staffed with very friendly people.
Source: google.com
Enjoyed an afternoon of Shakespeare's Macbeth on the lawn
Source: google.com
This fabulous house and gardens with cafe and (new and used) bookshop is a gem of Somerset! So near Taunton yet it feels like the deepest countryside. Beautiful trees, lake, formal gardens, herbaceous beds.. One could roam for hours or just sit and meditate in nature overlooking gorgeous views.
The cafe with central water feature is really lovely with helpful staff and the bookshop is well stocked with a range of subjects plus Hestercombe gifts.
I hope to come back!
The cafe with central water feature is really lovely with helpful staff and the bookshop is well stocked with a range of subjects plus Hestercombe gifts.
I hope to come back!
Source: google.com
We went to Hestercombe on one of the hottest days of the year. It was about 34 degrees while we were there. Sadly the Lutyens and Jekyll garden was looking very sad - brown and dried up, and lacked watering the rill. The rest of the garden was similar. The waterfall had no water and everywhere was really parched .
However, Hestercombe house itself was a delight. It had a number of exhibitions in its multiple rooms. The house has no furniture, but the rooms and photos give you an idea of how it was in its heyday, and the video histories were so interesting.
I am sure that the gardens are beautiful when the area isn’t suffering from a heatwave. Would visit again in the hope of seeing them at their best.
However, Hestercombe house itself was a delight. It had a number of exhibitions in its multiple rooms. The house has no furniture, but the rooms and photos give you an idea of how it was in its heyday, and the video histories were so interesting.
I am sure that the gardens are beautiful when the area isn’t suffering from a heatwave. Would visit again in the hope of seeing them at their best.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe Gardens is an absolutely beautiful place to visit and a perfect day out. The gardens are stunningly maintained, with a wonderful mix of formal gardens, woodland walks, lakes, and colourful seasonal displays. There's always something new to discover, and the peaceful surroundings make it a truly relaxing experience.
A special mention to the two lovely ladies on reception, who were so friendly and welcoming. They made such a fuss of our dog, giving her lots of treats and attention, which was a really thoughtful touch.
We were also pleasantly surprised by just how dog-friendly Hestercombe is. Dogs are welcome throughout the grounds, and we didn't come across any areas where they weren't allowed, making it a fantastic place to explore together.
The café serves absolutely delicious food and refreshments, and the whole experience was relaxing from start to finish. Whether you're a keen gardener, enjoy a peaceful walk, or are looking for a wonderful dog-friendly day out, Hestercombe Gardens is a real gem. Highly recommended, and we'll definitely be back!
A special mention to the two lovely ladies on reception, who were so friendly and welcoming. They made such a fuss of our dog, giving her lots of treats and attention, which was a really thoughtful touch.
We were also pleasantly surprised by just how dog-friendly Hestercombe is. Dogs are welcome throughout the grounds, and we didn't come across any areas where they weren't allowed, making it a fantastic place to explore together.
The café serves absolutely delicious food and refreshments, and the whole experience was relaxing from start to finish. Whether you're a keen gardener, enjoy a peaceful walk, or are looking for a wonderful dog-friendly day out, Hestercombe Gardens is a real gem. Highly recommended, and we'll definitely be back!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's been a really lovely day out, extremely dog friendly, even in the main house, where my girls were given treats! And a yummy piece of cake at the end!
Source: google.com
Excellent gardens by Lutyens and Jekyll. The hard landscaping outshines the planting schemes but much to enjoy.
Good cafe which handles allergens conscientiously. Coeliac options available.
Nice secondhand bookshop by the Cafe courtyard.
Good cafe which handles allergens conscientiously. Coeliac options available.
Nice secondhand bookshop by the Cafe courtyard.
Source: google.com
Get restaurant, amazing food and friendly staff
Source: google.com
Unfortunately we visited on one of the hottest days of the year so didn't get to see everything outside because of the heat. We decided to walk up the valley as the paths were shaded by trees. Every so often you come upon various small buildings, including a gothic alcove, sibyl's temple and temple arbour and also spectacular views in some spots. The pools were interesting with dragon flies darting about, and fish in one of them We rushed the formal gardens because it was so hot. A shame as they were beautiful. Understandably the café were not serving hot food so my husband had a salad and I had an open crayfish sandwich. Both were delicious. We were travelling home so gave the house a miss, which was a shame. The staff were very friendly, especially the gentleman at the entrance. Would certainly like to visit again on a cooler day!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Super gardens to visit..nice mix of formal and informal.
Source: google.com
A lovely well kept garden, split into different sections and eras.
Helpful friend staff.
Lovely coffee and cake selection.
Helpful friend staff.
Lovely coffee and cake selection.
Source: google.com
One of the most beautiful gardens I've ever been to. Different styles coexisting together, almost no people, great for a good walk.
Source: google.com
Hestercombe is a lovely place, well worth a visit. The gardens are stunning and the house has lots of history too!
Source: google.com
Excellent place to visit. Beautiful gardens and very interesting house.
Source: google.com
As many of the reviews here have already said, it's a beautiful place to visit. Lovely gardens with many interesting features. All the more so because it was almost lost except for the hard work and dedication of a few people. Really pleasant to walk around.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited today. The house grounds and gardens are spellbindingly beautiful. We had coffee and a cake in the café and both were very good indeed. The house has gone through a number of lives since death duties forced its sale. There is no furniture to speak of but great effort has been made with many photographs to bring to life the many people who lived and worked there over the last century. We did not realise how much there was to see. Wear good stout shoes and make the effort to walk to the top of the grounds. You will be well rewarded. Very well worth the entrance charge. We had 3 hours there but could well have doubled this. A real treasure.
Source: google.com
HESTERCOMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS
Situated just outside my home town of Taunton, this is well worth a visit.
The original gardens were later influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, who laid out the Victoria Terrace, and by Edwin Lutyens who both designed parts of the garden and the orangery.
A lot of the history is on display in the house with an introductory film.
There is a book shop and plants for sake and the cafe using local produce has a covered seating area.
Free to Historic Houses member.
Situated just outside my home town of Taunton, this is well worth a visit.
The original gardens were later influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, who laid out the Victoria Terrace, and by Edwin Lutyens who both designed parts of the garden and the orangery.
A lot of the history is on display in the house with an introductory film.
There is a book shop and plants for sake and the cafe using local produce has a covered seating area.
Free to Historic Houses member.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've known about Hestercombe since restoration started but this was my first visit. Despite it currently being in administration, there was no sign of neglect at all. Volunteers and staff all lovely. The gardens must be at their best in June. Very highly recommended.
Source: google.com
From reading reviews I wasn't sure what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. On arriving we were made to feel very welcome and given a great explanation of the garden. We started with the army barracks before going up the Georgian landscape garden which had a peaceful feel to it. After a picnic at the mill pond we saw the watermill, watched the video of the garden revival and then saw the formal area which for us was the highlight of the day. The Dutch garden and Orangery area was picturesque with Mexican daisies softening all the cracks in the paving and steps. The formal terraces across the different levels with the views out to the countryside were amazing, yes they could do with a bit of TLC (deadheading and weeding) but it didn't spoil our enjoyment of them. The roses up the pergola were beautiful and smelt heavenly. Inside the house was full of amazing photos, videos and history and well worth a visit. We looked in the well stocked bookshop and at the plants and overall had a very lovely day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The staff are friendly and welcoming and very informative and helpful. The admission fee is reasonable. We spent a couple of hours wandering round the well kept tranquil gardens and then had a lovely lunch in the cafe. The menu is varied and the food is very tasty. A trip round the house in the afternoon was interesting.
We all had a very pleasant day and the weather was glorious
We all had a very pleasant day and the weather was glorious
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
