Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Welcome place to go for 60mins of peace and quiet in a lovely setting. Good food and drink too.
Source: google.com
We had not heard of Hestercombe until watching one of Michael Portillo's railway journeys earlier this year and it looked intriguing. In the flesh, and on a sunny Spring day, it proved well worth the visit. This is an estate that almost went under due to the dreaded death duties and the landscape itself was clear felled in the 60's before being rediscovered around 20 years ago, since when it has undergone extensive restoration. Originally built for the privileged few and now enjoyed by the many.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our first visit to Hestercombe Gardens and we were highly impressed. We broke off our journey to the West Country for a walk and a spot of lunch, and were glad we made the decision on both counts. It is close to the M5, and although access involves a number of twists and turns it is both well signposted and easy to find using Satnav.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit to Hestercombe for many years and I was very impressed. The Georgian Landscape Garden is extensive has a variety of pathways to explore, some more accessible than others. There are a lot of features to explore and dogs are allowed on a short lead. There are plenty of places to stop and rest and take in the panoramic views across the lakes. Nearer the house are the Edwardian Formal Gardens that were designed by Gertrude Jekyll and have been restored to their former glory. The house is now open to the public with a display of the history of Hestercombe, a gallery, second-hand book shop and restaurant. It isn't the prettiest house but it does have some history. There is also a coffee shop, shop and plant sales. There is a lot to see for the £11.80 entrance fee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited with our adult family on Bank Holiday Monday.The gardens were peaceful although rough underfoot and very steep in places.We went for food at just after 3.00pm and were disappointed that catering had finished at 3.00 so we had to leave and find a local pub instead.A good visit spoiled I'm afraid.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic historic house and landscaped gardens, wonderfully helpful staff and great food at the cafe.
Source: google.com
Garden and waterfall are nice but house was a huge disappointment. Not 1 room was furnished in period.
Source: google.com
Came hear today and was well worth the visit the gardens are just awesome and the restaurant has just about every thing that you require we walked over 2 miles the views and the house are just stunning it is well worth the time effort to go there and the entry and profits go back into the house and gardens
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Was lovely day trip with my mum and daughter. Could hire a mobility scooter as struggle to walk far. Made the day 10x more enjoyable. Highly recommend it.
Source: google.com
Lovely gardens
Source: google.com
Great place for a garden adventure, play area and picnic for the children which is free. Cafe/restaurant is a bit expensive, alright if you just want a hot/cold drink and a cake.
Source: google.com
A wonderful gatden
Source: google.com
Lovely gardens to walk around some steps so not easy for everyone. The woodland walks are accessible and well worth the walk to see the waterfalls . Nice cafe too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took the opportunity to make our first visit to the gardens while attending a wedding Fayre there. Firstly the venue for a wedding is absolutely stunning and secondly the gardens are wonderful and a credit to all those involved in the restoration. The very extensive gardens and walks offer panoramic views across the valley I was very impressed with the creative use of water features especially the waterfall. To cap a great afternoon, the food and drink in the cafe was good value and top quality. Will definitely be back again and am considering membership.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The grounds were well maintained and very interesting, a mixture of modern installations like the witches hut added a unique twist to the place. The ponds were big and calm with fish and ducks and a beautiful waterfall. The house itself was very empty with not much history inside or information.
Entry was very expensive for what was there but the grounds were very nice to walk around
Entry was very expensive for what was there but the grounds were very nice to walk around
Source: google.com
Beautiful gardens and walk around the grounds. Lovely food in the house restaurant.
Source: google.com
This place has some good history to it. The formal gardens that Gertrude Jekyl helped create look as if they are being restored to her original plans.
The walks around the site are great, lovely views and would have been excellent in better weather. The food in the Stables cafe is great. All the staff were very helpful
Would happily go again. Had to imagine what the gardens would look like in full bloom as we were there in April
The walks around the site are great, lovely views and would have been excellent in better weather. The food in the Stables cafe is great. All the staff were very helpful
Would happily go again. Had to imagine what the gardens would look like in full bloom as we were there in April
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So beautiful. Lovely atmosphere, fantastic staff. Great for all ages from babies to old folks.
Source: google.com
Great place for lunch and a once walk too!
Source: google.com
Fabulous place to visit throughout the year
Source: google.com
Beautiful even in the rain and great food
Source: google.com
We absolutely love visiting Hestercombe and love everything about it.
The gardens are wonderful, and there’s so much to explore. Waterfalls, walled gardens, lakes, beautiful buildings, there’s so much to see.
We take our spaniel with us to have a wander around as well; it’s brilliant that it’s dog friendly!
The cafe/restaurant is also very good, although can be busy.
Would really recommend visiting if you’re in the area or live nearby.
The gardens are wonderful, and there’s so much to explore. Waterfalls, walled gardens, lakes, beautiful buildings, there’s so much to see.
We take our spaniel with us to have a wander around as well; it’s brilliant that it’s dog friendly!
The cafe/restaurant is also very good, although can be busy.
Would really recommend visiting if you’re in the area or live nearby.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is a lovely place. It's a manor house with a huge amount of suave for gardens. You can enjoy the gardens of the house with the it rock and water features. Continue to the "working" mill powered by a water wheel (this is showcased throughout the year and although permanent is not always working). Further round is a lake where you can feed the ducks/swans and see the fish. You're then presented with a long arch of garden which has a number of features in it such as a Roman structure, Chinese structure, Russian structure, a witches hut and plenty of windy paths. You may struggle with wheel chairs and buggys as it can get quite steep. We have an annual pass and it's really spectacular to see it change throughout the seasons.
Source: google.com
Gorgeous food in a stunning setting! Perfect for food in spring or summer, food was fresh and delicious. Me and family all ordered their handmade quiches, and we all commented they were the best we had ever tasted. Food is very artisan, mainly paninis and baguettes with fillings such as avocado, aioli and rocket. Very modern and rustic.
The restaurant is difficult to access for disabled persons, as it is a fair walk from the car park on a stony path, but we did drive up this path to drop off and reverse back.
There is also a few shops to look around in the courtyard where the restaurant is. And plants available to purchase in the flower shop.
Access to the gardens and the house is possible, but there is a charge to do so.
The restaurant is difficult to access for disabled persons, as it is a fair walk from the car park on a stony path, but we did drive up this path to drop off and reverse back.
There is also a few shops to look around in the courtyard where the restaurant is. And plants available to purchase in the flower shop.
Access to the gardens and the house is possible, but there is a charge to do so.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely relaxing walk
Source: google.com
