Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
It was so lovely there today. Not too many people because of the social distancing but all the plants and flowers were in bloom, probably past their best but still beautiful. We had a picnic box, which was very nice. A lovely day!
Source: google.com
Great to see the gardens open again and full credit to the staff for managing everything so efficiently and yes there are toilets! Plenty to explore and well worth the long walk round the Capability Brown parts. The formal gardens have an additional slightly wild charm to them with fewer gardeners available during lockdown but they still look amazing.
Source: google.com
Hestercombe is looking beautiful and the gardens are stunning. Well done to the two very hardworking gardeners keeping everything looking so good! We enjoyed a lovely morning wandering around the woodland walks and formal gardens. Hope to return very soon.
Source: google.com
Such a lovely place
The gardens are so good this time of year and the woodlands are great for those walks.
The flowers were beautiful and covered in bees, butterflies and other insects.
In the woods and the surrounding fields many different birds were spotted, sparrow hawks, kestrel, a lazy buzzard soaring overhead.
This was quite the most lazy walking day I’ve had just taking in the beauty of an old English garden
At the end we had a very nice afternoon tea, well made and reasonably priced
The gardens are so good this time of year and the woodlands are great for those walks.
The flowers were beautiful and covered in bees, butterflies and other insects.
In the woods and the surrounding fields many different birds were spotted, sparrow hawks, kestrel, a lazy buzzard soaring overhead.
This was quite the most lazy walking day I’ve had just taking in the beauty of an old English garden
At the end we had a very nice afternoon tea, well made and reasonably priced
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I appreciate that Covid has made most staff furloughed but these gardens looked neglected for much longer than that. The woodland garden was a pleasant walk, left to nature but the formal gardens really weren't that imaginative and poorly maintained. Looks like it needs a real investment and for the entrance price it wasn't good value.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great view on the outside tables and benches. A bit pricey. Respectful service.
Source: google.com
Met my parents at this location for our first socially distanced picnic since lockdown. Great support before our visit from staff when I contacted through email and phone re mobility issues. Well set up with picnic tables and limited visitor numbers. The skeleton staff had been working hard to maintain the gardens. Will look forward to another visit once things return to more normality.
Source: google.com
A beautiful place to stroll around. Lovely to see the gardens in a relaxed state, like the horticultural equivalent of a lockdown haircut. A current bonus is 'Jackdaw Line' by Richard Long, although there didn't seem to be any information about it.
Things that could do with improving:
- staff on entry were rather bossy and flustered; no real welcome; used my open car window as a surface on which to write, which I disliked intensely - it felt very intrusive
- the member of staff in the cafe (when it was quiet and I was the only customer) seemed surly - I only bought refreshments to support Hestercombe as I had provisions in my car, and felt it wasn't appreciated
- some of the items on the menu, eg cream tea, are for two - why discriminate against solo visitors?!
- there are only portaloos and they don't have hand-washing facilities, although there is sanitiser. The cubicles are tiny and the doors are always closed, which didn't seem a good idea - if they faced a different direction the doors could perhaps be left open between users, which would be safer, or maybe some other ventilation could be arranged. I really didn't feel happy using them in these circumstances but had travelled some distance so didn't have a choice.
Things that could do with improving:
- staff on entry were rather bossy and flustered; no real welcome; used my open car window as a surface on which to write, which I disliked intensely - it felt very intrusive
- the member of staff in the cafe (when it was quiet and I was the only customer) seemed surly - I only bought refreshments to support Hestercombe as I had provisions in my car, and felt it wasn't appreciated
- some of the items on the menu, eg cream tea, are for two - why discriminate against solo visitors?!
- there are only portaloos and they don't have hand-washing facilities, although there is sanitiser. The cubicles are tiny and the doors are always closed, which didn't seem a good idea - if they faced a different direction the doors could perhaps be left open between users, which would be safer, or maybe some other ventilation could be arranged. I really didn't feel happy using them in these circumstances but had travelled some distance so didn't have a choice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Family visit after lockdown ....enjoyed the layout and planting. Clearer signage would be helpful as new visitors trying to follow one way system.
Source: google.com
beautiful scenery
Source: google.com
We were only here for a short time on Saturday but were really impressed by the varied and spectacular array of flowers there.
It is a huge area and we only had time for the gardens by the house. I think you could spend the whole day there amongst the different areas.
Robert (general manager) was especially helpful with assisting our booking.
It is a huge area and we only had time for the gardens by the house. I think you could spend the whole day there amongst the different areas.
Robert (general manager) was especially helpful with assisting our booking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely walk around the estate grounds and gardens only 2 weeks after reopening after the shutdown. A bit for them to do to get it back to its full glory post lockdown, so very much looking forward to another visit next summer.
Source: google.com
Had to book but worth a visit. Ordered cream tea 👍 👍!!
Source: google.com
Spent a lovely day at Hestercombe today. We were very impressed with the safety precautions in place, which must have taken a lot of organisation. We enjoyed a superb takeaway lunch in the picnic area, where hand sanitizers were available as an extra precaution. So relaxing to wander around the grounds and formal gardens in the fresh air after being indoors for so long!
Source: google.com
Our first proper family day out since the COVID-19 lockdown began 3 months ago, and it was wonderful. The skeleton staff of Ben (general manager)& Claire (head gardener) have worked so hard to keep the gardens beautifully maintained and make the whole place safe for visitors. The two cafe staff were also fantastic, as were the lunches & cakes. (First lunch out in 3 months too). The whole experience was absolutely delightful. Thanks for carefully letting the visitors back into Hestercombe - can’t wait to come back again soon!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great that these gardens have emerged from lockdown,and such a lot of effort has been put in to accommodate us all.Cafe open and garden seating available.The gardens have been maintained during lockdown by two gardeners who have attended every day.It is a joy to visit again and wander through the gardens and paths which are well signed to keep us well distanced.The whole experience seems new and wonderful to be back.
We can only thank the staff for their efforts which is truly superb.Thank you all
We can only thank the staff for their efforts which is truly superb.Thank you all
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had to do something with the kids before they went stir crazy. Took advantage of 50% off and kids under 5 free. The house is pretty dull and the formal gardens ok. However we all enjoyed walking around the large landscape gardens at the back. I can't see us ever going here having paid full price.
Source: google.com
Gardens looking good with promise of spring. Cafe excellent as always (dogs allowed inside). Even managed to charge my electric car while I was here.
Source: google.com
Visited today (14/03) Had a lovely light lunch Cider & Onion soup - very tasty. The cafe staff are always polite, friendly and helpful. We then took a walk around the extensive grounds. The Primroses and Daffodils are beautiful and it was lovely to see the Magnolias and early Rhododendrons. The waterfalls are marvellous after all the rain. The Sun even shone for us. We were particularly looking forward to seeing the Swans and were delighted to see that there were also a pair of Canada Geese. In all good the years that we’ve been visiting we have never seen them here - wonderful. All in all, at this grim time we had a very ‘cheering’ experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful in any weather
Source: google.com
One if my favorite places to visit in the area.
Source: google.com
Really helpful staff and fantastic lunch in the Column restaurant.
Source: google.com
We visit Hestercombe gardens on a regular basis as we are members so can go all year round.The gardens are beautifully maintained with formal gardens and walks around more naturalised areas. Lovely orangerie where it is possible to get married and secluded seating areas scattered around the gardens. At any time of year the gardens can be admired with short films showing to inform about the family and history. Thoroughly recommended 😃👍
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful setting and walk around the gardens. Even at this time of year March, plenty to see with buds starting to come through and all the daffodils showing a glow of yellow
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The walk around Hestercombe is relaxing always something interesting to see
The cafe does an amazing roast dinner. I do think more could be made off the main house
The cafe does an amazing roast dinner. I do think more could be made off the main house
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
