Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Absoulutly stunning place
Source: google.com
Beautiful, well organised, welcoming place to visit.
Source: google.com
Reclaimed from decades of neglect and restored since the 1960's, as a labor of love by a non-profit gardens trust, the gardens are in three parts:
1. A fifty-acre Georgian landscape park, with walking trails through woodland valleys, follies and a pretty cascade;
2. A formal Victorian terrace, with islands of bedding plants;
3. A very large sunken garden below, a 1904-1908 collaboration by the informal partnership of Sir Edwin Lutyens, who did the hardscape (also note the "Lutyens benches") and Gertrude Jekyll, who supplied the planting plans and first plants. This garden is widely considered to be their joint masterpiece. It is also one of three faithful restorations (Munstead Wood, Upton Grey) of Jekyll's artistic vision and work.
The exterior visitor center has the casual Stables Cafe and a gift shop that includes plant sales. Inside the house, there is a small art gallery, with art for sale, and a used book shop. The Column Restaurant provided our coach tour with a generous and colorful buffet for a light lunch.
See the website for visiting hours and public events.
1. A fifty-acre Georgian landscape park, with walking trails through woodland valleys, follies and a pretty cascade;
2. A formal Victorian terrace, with islands of bedding plants;
3. A very large sunken garden below, a 1904-1908 collaboration by the informal partnership of Sir Edwin Lutyens, who did the hardscape (also note the "Lutyens benches") and Gertrude Jekyll, who supplied the planting plans and first plants. This garden is widely considered to be their joint masterpiece. It is also one of three faithful restorations (Munstead Wood, Upton Grey) of Jekyll's artistic vision and work.
The exterior visitor center has the casual Stables Cafe and a gift shop that includes plant sales. Inside the house, there is a small art gallery, with art for sale, and a used book shop. The Column Restaurant provided our coach tour with a generous and colorful buffet for a light lunch.
See the website for visiting hours and public events.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A sheer delight. Worth every penny of the £17 it cost for me and my son to go in. Stunningly beautiful gardens. Cannot do justice in words.
Source: google.com
A delightful set of gardens and estate to wander around on a summers day, very pretty in Spring too with naturalised bulbs everywhere. Excellent tearooms ,although picnics are in evidence in the valley setting, not the easiest paths for disabled or senior citizens, but if time is no problem it is just a place of beauty to enjoy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely place for walking, meals good value for money. Need to book for The Afternoon Tea, well worth it.
Source: google.com
The gardens and grounds are really lovely and worth a visit. We would recommend that you wear fairly stout footwear and do not wear sandals because the paths are gravel and you would spend time emptying your sandals!
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Intriguing history and stunning sunsets
Source: google.com
Nice valley walk past lakes and follies. Lovely formal gardens,, nice cafe and gift shops. A little underwhelming after the big build up on their website but a pleasant place to visit nonetheless.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice place for a walk but needs a bit of work on the gardens around the house.
Source: google.com
The Victorian garden was stunning and the walks through the grounds by the lakes easy to walk and attractive with great vistas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Awesome gardens. One of the most beautiful places around. Gorgeous flowers everywhere and historical house. Been there as a photographer for weddings and the venue and reception was really amazing, if could bring time back would consider getting married there!
Source: google.com
beautiful... went for an Easter egg hunt with my three year and it was super
Source: google.com
Great lunch with friends, self
Service, friendly staff, good parking, good cakes, great and place for tea and cake
Service, friendly staff, good parking, good cakes, great and place for tea and cake
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is one of my favorite places i am a annual member of the gardens and spend hours there it changes so much through the seasons which also makes it a great place for weddings with days of photo opportunities the staff are very organised and friendly, highly recommended!!!
Source: google.com
Just love it
Source: google.com
We really enjoyed visiting Hestercombe Gardens today even though it was raining. I would recommend going on a sunny day but it was still nice even with the clouds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Didn't go into the House or Garden this time but enjoyed time with our grandson on the play equipment one day and a delicious hot chocolate on another
Source: google.com
Hestercombe is one of our favourite places to escape too.
The staff are extremely friendly, the grounds are fantastic and you can always get a good cup of tea or coffee at the end.
I am always amazed about how close to Taunton you are but feel so far out and in paradise.
The staff are extremely friendly, the grounds are fantastic and you can always get a good cup of tea or coffee at the end.
I am always amazed about how close to Taunton you are but feel so far out and in paradise.
Source: google.com
Lovely day out, pleasant walk around gardens followed by afternoon tea.
Source: google.com
Another great afternoon walking around the gardens. Nice to see all the flowers in bloom.
Source: google.com
We spent hours here with our 11 year old son who was NOT happy to be visiting another country house. Once he had seen the chickens and paddled under the cascade he actually seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he aquired a large stick. Lots of points of interest in the landscape garden and the formal gardens are gorgeous, but probably more about the hard landscaping and water features than the planting and the boy enjoyed poking his stick in all of them. The house does not offer a great deal but worth a pop in to see the art exhibitions, staircase and roof light. The cafe was a bit pricey but happily a bowl of chips and some cake was the cheaper option.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The most beautiful gardens . A must to go there
Source: google.com
we went in Spring on a 2 for 1 deal which made it even better value. The rhodendron display is beautiful, as were the bluebells and the 'wilder' wood walks are lovely if a little steep and uneven in a few places. So nice to be able to wander at will without being limited to where we could go with the dog. A good half day well spent. Definitely going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens are a magnificent design. We were continually surprised by the views as we wandered the paths! Really a worthwhile visit.
Lots of steps without handrails, so this visit is not for those who have difficulty walking.
Lots of steps without handrails, so this visit is not for those who have difficulty walking.
Source: google.com
