Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
This was our first visit using a disability scooter and we used the recommended route but my husband felt quite unsafe using the rough paths. I really don’t think the route is suitable for anything other than a large sturdy scooter such as can be hired. I would also think pushing a wheelchair could be hazardous on quite a few of the steep and beds paths. Lovely gardens but our visit was marred by the issues above.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had an incredible wedding reception at Hestercombe, following a church ceremony.
While planning, our wedding coordinator Julie was brilliant: always quick to respond, helpful, and experienced. Also, very reassuring during the stress of wedding planning!
All food and drinks were delicious, with vegan and meat options.
Everything was carried out seamlessly on the day thanks to Julie, the manager Dave and all staff. Hestercombe gardens and the venues are all stunning, and really characterful.
We had a lot of kids at our wedding. There was plenty of space for kids to play, and still be seen by parents, meaning everyone had a brilliant time. Also, very flexible for the evening. Room for DJ hire dancing, and great indoor and outdoor evening space for drinks and chatting, so guests could enjoy the best of both.
A really diverse, fun, wedding venue with a great team. Couldn't recommend more highly!
While planning, our wedding coordinator Julie was brilliant: always quick to respond, helpful, and experienced. Also, very reassuring during the stress of wedding planning!
All food and drinks were delicious, with vegan and meat options.
Everything was carried out seamlessly on the day thanks to Julie, the manager Dave and all staff. Hestercombe gardens and the venues are all stunning, and really characterful.
We had a lot of kids at our wedding. There was plenty of space for kids to play, and still be seen by parents, meaning everyone had a brilliant time. Also, very flexible for the evening. Room for DJ hire dancing, and great indoor and outdoor evening space for drinks and chatting, so guests could enjoy the best of both.
A really diverse, fun, wedding venue with a great team. Couldn't recommend more highly!
Source: google.com
Great place to visit. Plan to go back soon.
Source: google.com
The house and gardens are very nice and was very pleasant to visit especially as I have mobility problems. The Stables Restaurant was a bit of a let down though. They were very unwilling to adjust their menu to take into account a disability resulting from surgery on the basis that if they did it once everyone would want the same. They used that as a basis to not make a reasonable adjustment as is required by law.
Source: google.com
I visit here most weeks as its perfect to let my 3 yr old explore as well as also allowing dogs on the lead. Always lovely staff
Source: google.com
I liked Hestercombe before we even entered! There is a lovely cafe with a patio and grasses sitting area as well as a little plant centre that can be accessed before you go in and the staff were lovely and friendly. The actual gardens are superb! A beautiful mix of different types of planting in the more formal gardens created by Jekyll and meandering shrubs and wilder areas through Lutyens stunningly crafted landscapes. Lots and lots of points of fun and beautiful interest along the way. Loved the bee trail for kids as well as the Bat roost and as the machine areas. All that was without even going on the house!! Our admission ticket allows us to come back until September! What a beautiful place to visit! HIGHLY recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not been for a while nice walks gardens were lovely. The only thing I don't appreciate drinking tea and coffee out of paper cups .
Source: google.com
A very pleasant visit on a rainy day. Although on a steep hill, it was a pleasant afternoon walk, even with a walking stick. Limited choice of food for a late lunch though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Ok for all weather if you have correct gear. Very pretty gardens to walk in. Excellent cafe with wide selection of food. Service friendly. Free return for a few weeks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice venue.. lack of staff behind the bar created queuing & position of tables approaching the front of bar created congestion. Cash free bar created an issue for some & alcohol free lager was the only available "beer".... suggest you get pale ale & bitter in too as not everyone drinks lager.
Source: google.com
Lovely place
Source: google.com
I love this house very much. My heart skips a beat every time I enter through its doors. The tiled floor, high ceiling, the columns, and the stunning grand staircase are, in my opinion, outstandingly gorgeous. 👌
Source: google.com
Dog friendly cafe. Will return to see gardens another time. I object to service charges on cafe bills, either increase your base prices or leave me to decide if I leave a tip or not.
Source: google.com
It was wet and windy. Still we had a lovely time. Afternoon tea was a bit cake heavy, scones we're really nice. Would have preferred a bit more savory but that's personal choice. We also went for a walk. Got the last 16 minutes in the bee education centre which was fun. Even for us adults. Event in the wet and the rain it was a lovely walk. Even fed the ducks up close and personal
Source: google.com
For same price could visit somewhere like Chatsworth which has far better gardens. Rose's look sickly and need of a good prune, not been dead headed in a while. Only the area in front of the house is planted up the rest is parkland. OK for a quiet afternoon but not at that price. Ok but wouldn't call it outstanding.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We made sure we planned a visit to break our journey home but didn't realise just how lovely and interesting Hestercombe is. So much to explore in the gardens, great history, book shop, plant shop, lovely restaurant and cafe.
Mos of all though is the wonderful peace and expanse of the gardens.
Not far off the motorway and a great way to break any journey through the area.
Mos of all though is the wonderful peace and expanse of the gardens.
Not far off the motorway and a great way to break any journey through the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a wonderful day here from start to finish, blessed by a warm sunny day on my partner's birthday
We had refreshments in the Column cafe on arrival after a long journey and most excellent it was too.
My partner said her Baklava cheesecake was the best cheesecake she has ever
had, ever! No better praise than that.
The gardens are magnificent, you could spend many hours exploring the various areas and Lakes and admiring the legacy left by Lutyens and Jekyll.
The mill house is well worth a visit, lots of agricultural machinery from a bygone age and the early examples of light and electricity generation including acetylene for lighting the house!
We had a fabulous meal in the main restaurant outside by the contemporary fountain, my lamb on a skewer was first class and my partner loved her sea bream.
All the staff we encountered were really friendly.
Would love to return as there us si much to take in and all credit to the gardeners for there amazing efforts.
The house itself which is only partly renovated is worth a visit, it was once the HQ for the Somerset fire brigade so will require several years of work to restore it to its former glory.
Good secondhand book shop and gift shop too.
Highly recommended.
We had refreshments in the Column cafe on arrival after a long journey and most excellent it was too.
My partner said her Baklava cheesecake was the best cheesecake she has ever
had, ever! No better praise than that.
The gardens are magnificent, you could spend many hours exploring the various areas and Lakes and admiring the legacy left by Lutyens and Jekyll.
The mill house is well worth a visit, lots of agricultural machinery from a bygone age and the early examples of light and electricity generation including acetylene for lighting the house!
We had a fabulous meal in the main restaurant outside by the contemporary fountain, my lamb on a skewer was first class and my partner loved her sea bream.
All the staff we encountered were really friendly.
Would love to return as there us si much to take in and all credit to the gardeners for there amazing efforts.
The house itself which is only partly renovated is worth a visit, it was once the HQ for the Somerset fire brigade so will require several years of work to restore it to its former glory.
Good secondhand book shop and gift shop too.
Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely stunning gardens. Truly wonderful, didn't go in the house, quite an ugly building. Restaurant is very good indeed.
Source: google.com
Beautiful, 💫
Source: google.com
I wanted to treat my Mum , who is 90 yrs old- she in Taunton, me in West Sussex . We ate lunch in the resturant, in the courtyard, to the sound of the fountain, in dappled sunshine, fellow customers quietly chatting. The staff were very helpful , and professional. Food superb!!- Lamb kebabs on roasted aubergine and courgettes , with couscous , and a yoghurt dressing.
Finished with beautiful presented desserts, and coffees. Given just the right amount of attention, and left to enjoy our surroundings . What a Treat !!!
Finished with beautiful presented desserts, and coffees. Given just the right amount of attention, and left to enjoy our surroundings . What a Treat !!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Amazing garden, full of nooks and crannies. Very pretty and the stone paths and doorways made you want to explore every inch. Plenty of history with water power and a Mill.
Disappointingly the EV charger was out of action. Check before you go if you may need it. Some in Taunton though.
Not much of the house open but understand there is probably still a lot to do and run by a trust. Lovely plants for sale too
Disappointingly the EV charger was out of action. Check before you go if you may need it. Some in Taunton though.
Not much of the house open but understand there is probably still a lot to do and run by a trust. Lovely plants for sale too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Haven't visited for some years and was rather disappointed with this visit. There is very little to see in the house and most rooms are mainly empty. The formal gardens are lovely, certainly worth a look, but are rather lacking in 'colour' and the Orangery was empty. The upper gardens/walks/ponds are nice for a stroll but are overgrown in places and seem to have been left to their own devices. The £16 entrance fee does seem rather excessive.
Source: google.com
Lovely gardens to while away an afternoon. Cafe and restaurant on site and plant shop. Also second hand books on sale. Staff very pleasant and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful place.
Source: google.com
Great place to visit. And dog friendly too
Source: google.com
