Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Beautiful Italian style gardens and parkland to walk in. Excellent cafe/restaurant too
Source: google.com
Visited several times, each time we go we see more than before. Great time to visit as it's "pay what you can, in Jan" for an extrance fee. Drinks were a little expensive in the cafe but over lovely place. Highly recommended.
Source: google.com
A lovely winter visit to the charmingly pastoral 18C Landscape garden and spectacular formal Lutyens/Jekyll garden. There was a frosting of snow. It is always worth a visit and we enjoyed our coffee in the Stables which is always very welcoming.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have been visiting on and off for years. The gardens have several aspects and will delight visitors. The walks on the wider estate are through a wooded valley and up to a glorious view point over the whole of Taunton vale. There are several paths, each offering different surprise vista points with views across to the cascade (waterfall) or to the various follies or right down to Taunton. The follies are all completely individual and all have brilliant character. The ducks and swans obviously enjoy the small lakes. It is often quiet up here and tranquil and it’s great to sit and enjoy the amazing birdsong. The formal gardens are a complete contrast, but brilliant in their own way, with straight lines, traditional planting schemes, fountains and more views over Taunton. The gardens are extremely well kept and dogs are allowed everywhere. The house is open but now has fewer exhibits than in years gone by. The staff in the ticket office are outstanding with a wealth of knowledge and always a big smile and friendly words. This garden is historic and great pains were undertaken to restore it. It is well worth supporting and in doing so you will have a lovely and rewarding day out!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great trail for children over Xmas. There were crafts in the main house, a cheerful Santa also in the main house and we received a warm welcome at reception. It was nice to have the trail, craft and Santa included within the entry price.
Source: google.com
One of the fabulous place filled with serenity and crisp air. Very scenic and adventuresome hikes and places around. Much recommended
Source: google.com
Beautiful for garden house still work in progress,but well worth a visit, gentleman at the house was very informative
Source: google.com
Fantastic gardens,beautiful lunch and even though the house is mainly unfurnished it is still lovely and interesting to look around.
Source: google.com
A stunning garden with accessible routes for most abilities. Enjoyed a beautiful sunny autumn walk, rounded off with lunch in the cafe. I look forward to seeing how the Hestercombe team redevelop the house if the quality of the gardens are the gauge!
Source: google.com
Visited at Christmas and saw Santa which was a great experience.
All round good experience especially for kids. They have trails for most school holidays.
All round good experience especially for kids. They have trails for most school holidays.
Source: google.com
Must be visit lovely place
Source: google.com
A peaceful tranquil place to while away the time. Great for a picnic. photographic opportunities at every moment of your sojourn.
Source: google.com
Particularly liked the gardens and lake. The small museum about hydropower and gas production is good.
The house isn't so good having been owned by the council and therefore changed to suit them. It is a blank canvas with a few photos and exhibition in some rooms, however a few original features remain.
The cafe is good with indoor and outdoor seating.
The house isn't so good having been owned by the council and therefore changed to suit them. It is a blank canvas with a few photos and exhibition in some rooms, however a few original features remain.
The cafe is good with indoor and outdoor seating.
Source: google.com
Visited today - I have to say that the staff were superb - all of them to friendly and enthusiastic. Also, an excellent selection of gluten free cakes :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited in October 25. The formal gardens are beautiful and the estate grounds around are magical with lots of garden houses to sit and enjoy the stunning views. The house is full of history and there is a great second hand book shop and cafe. We had lunch, the food was delicious and the coffee the best I've come across.
Really lovely day.
Really lovely day.
Source: google.com
Beautiful gardens, Ideal for walks and you might be able to find apples
This will keep you busy for a day
This will keep you busy for a day
Source: google.com
Called in on our way home from Cornwall as it breaks the journey up.
Only 10 minutes from junction 25 of the M5 and fairly straightforward to get here. We arrived around 11am and it was quite busy but still able to get a space.. Headed to cafe and had a nice pot of tea and cheese scone..(scone nice and warm but butter was too hard to spread,needed to soften first).scummy though.
We then visited the house and we're greeted by some friendly ladies who gave us some information sheets to read on the brief history of the house. Most of the rooms are empty from furniture but their are display cabinets with items to view and loads of pictures and history facts to read.
We walked the gardens at the front of house and then headed round past the orangery and walked all the way to the top of vast rear gardens and back down the other side which is higher up and you can look down from above the water cascade ,which unfortunately this time had no water running down for full impact..quite rough and steep in places but not too bad .
Only 10 minutes from junction 25 of the M5 and fairly straightforward to get here. We arrived around 11am and it was quite busy but still able to get a space.. Headed to cafe and had a nice pot of tea and cheese scone..(scone nice and warm but butter was too hard to spread,needed to soften first).scummy though.
We then visited the house and we're greeted by some friendly ladies who gave us some information sheets to read on the brief history of the house. Most of the rooms are empty from furniture but their are display cabinets with items to view and loads of pictures and history facts to read.
We walked the gardens at the front of house and then headed round past the orangery and walked all the way to the top of vast rear gardens and back down the other side which is higher up and you can look down from above the water cascade ,which unfortunately this time had no water running down for full impact..quite rough and steep in places but not too bad .
Source: google.com
The gardens are lovely but that is more than I can say for our meal in the Stables Restaurant.
We only wanted a snack so opted for the cheese and ham toastie. You imagine cheese melting inside the bread and combining with the ham. What we got was bread in the cusp of being toasted ie dry, cheese that had only just started to melt with chunks of too thick ham, some almost1cm thick (more like ham steak) put on the top.
My husband managed less than a quarter of this concoction and I managed only slightly more. Our complaint was treated with indifference as we were presented with the bill.
We only wanted a snack so opted for the cheese and ham toastie. You imagine cheese melting inside the bread and combining with the ham. What we got was bread in the cusp of being toasted ie dry, cheese that had only just started to melt with chunks of too thick ham, some almost1cm thick (more like ham steak) put on the top.
My husband managed less than a quarter of this concoction and I managed only slightly more. Our complaint was treated with indifference as we were presented with the bill.
Source: google.com
The gardens are lovely but that is more than you can say for our meal in the Stables Restaurant.
We only wanted a snack so opted for the cheese and ham toastie. You imagine cheese melting inside the bread and combining with the ham. We we got was bread in the verge of being toasted ie dry, cheese that had only just started to melt with thick ham , some almost 1cm thick (more like a ham steak) stuck on the top.
My husband managed less than a quarter and I managed only slightly more. Our complaint was met with indifference as we were presented with the bill.
We only wanted a snack so opted for the cheese and ham toastie. You imagine cheese melting inside the bread and combining with the ham. We we got was bread in the verge of being toasted ie dry, cheese that had only just started to melt with thick ham , some almost 1cm thick (more like a ham steak) stuck on the top.
My husband managed less than a quarter and I managed only slightly more. Our complaint was met with indifference as we were presented with the bill.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a visitor staying with us in Taunton who could not walk far. We inquired by phone about the possibility of hiring a tramper vehicle at the site. The response could not have been more helpful, both on the phone and at the site. We hired the tramper for a couple of hours and were provided with a map of the landscape gardens showing the routes suitable for trampers. The vehicle was easy to drive and felt very stable. We were able to reach all areas of the landscape gardens in the hire period. The tramper hire was reasonably priced and allowed our visitor to enjoy the site to the full. Thank you Hestercombe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have wanted to go to Hestercombe for a long time and finally got there today. I had already checked out the admission prices so was not surprised at the cost. Was it worth it? Yes I think so. Would I pay it again? Probably not. We stopped for lunch and thought there was a good variety of food and cost. Again though by the time you have bought lunch for two plus the admission cost it is not a cheap day out. I am glad we went when we did and wish the property all the best for whatever lays ahead.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
15 mins off M5 this is well worth a short detour or a planned day out. The food and service are excellent. A lovely place for coffee or lunch. The gardens offer a good walk around the estate dotted with temples. Nearer the house the gardens are, like the view, fabulous. Lots of information about the history of the house and garden. Well worth a visit.
Source: google.com
We enjoyed our day out at Hestercombe and our dog felt welcome too. The cafe served a good variety of food that well priced. My partner had the falafel salad and I had the first finger open sandwich that were well presented and tasty. We went back after seeing the beautiful gardens for hot drinks and tasty cake. You can go to the cafe without going into the gardens if you wish
Source: google.com
Perfect place to go with a little one and dog when you aren't sure what to do and are in the area. Great for a little picnic and perfect views. Even on the cloudiest day its still beautiful.
Source: google.com
What a wonderful garden. Dog friendly, lovely people, great book shop and wonderful cafe.
Source: google.com
