Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Ever changing gardens . Lovely walks all year
Source: google.com
Really good pleasant and extensive cultivated natural grounds with beautiful formal gardens close to the house. Lovely semi formal dining in the Comom Room and good self service eating in the stables.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
These gardens are of real importance with Lutyen's designs (and his famous benches) along with evidence of the original planting by Gertrude Jekyll. For me, the important thing is that it's all dog friendly (on a lead) The long walk in the wider park is wonderful with the variety of shelters and created views and this contrasts with the formality of the house garden. Paths could be better for mobility scooters but a must visit place for lovers of gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely walk through a woodland garden - cool on a hot day! A few shopping opportunities, 2nd hand bookshop etc. Cafe has good food and drink but a shame they allow dogs in, and all over the furniture.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great atmos lovely grounds and building wonderful friendly people
Source: google.com
First time visitor, and most impressed by the whole experience. Nice blend of formal gardens, landscape gardens, meadows, orchard, buildings, views and eating places.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great service and Beautiful landscape
Good value for your money.
All charity should work like this
Good value for your money.
All charity should work like this
Source: google.com
I had read some negative reviews of this attraction before visiting but you need to appreciate that this is a work in progress and will take years to complete. It started 800 years ago, became overgrown and lost now being slowly and lovingly restored. Newish visitor centre and the house is also now open. Formal gardens were a bit disappointing but see my opening comment. It's a fair walk round but well worth the effort, walking shoes recommended. Don't go in the rain. Well signposted and plenty of parking even an electric vehicle charging point. Well worth the visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We travelled over 2 hours to visit having seen the gardens on TV and read about them and the house.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had been waiting to visit here for many years. Sadly disappointed. The gardens look tired and they need looking after. The structure is lovely but the plants don't live up to it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everyone seems to agree the gardens are beautiful. But the Christmas market is a must. Busy, bustling and full of choice, it's a must in the run up to the festivities. Very well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is a hidden gem - it's a place you know about, always mean to visit, and just don't get around to.
The estate is split into 3 main areas/gardens, developed at different times. You can explore any or all of these depending on how long you want to spend at Hestercombe. When we visited all of the estate was well looked after, with in particular the Formal Gardens/Great Plat (the work of Gertrude Jekyll) looking stunning in the afternoon sun.
The cafe is nicely located and certainly the lunch we purchased was excellent.
Worthy of special mention was the enthusiastic (and very professional) introduction we were given at the Reception Desk when we arrived at the gardens.
A previous review quotes the admission prices as £11.00, it's actually just under £9 (for an online booking), which is considerably less than the one off admission price to most National Trust houses/gardens.
The estate is split into 3 main areas/gardens, developed at different times. You can explore any or all of these depending on how long you want to spend at Hestercombe. When we visited all of the estate was well looked after, with in particular the Formal Gardens/Great Plat (the work of Gertrude Jekyll) looking stunning in the afternoon sun.
The cafe is nicely located and certainly the lunch we purchased was excellent.
Worthy of special mention was the enthusiastic (and very professional) introduction we were given at the Reception Desk when we arrived at the gardens.
A previous review quotes the admission prices as £11.00, it's actually just under £9 (for an online booking), which is considerably less than the one off admission price to most National Trust houses/gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Been going to Hestercombe for years. It never fails to disappoint. The gardens are fantastic and you can walk for miles! Customer service in the restaurant is great and the cream tea is amazing!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic gardens. Cafe food was delicious and home made. A great day out.
Source: google.com
Simply beautiful
Source: google.com
Good value for money, formal garden is true to the origional designs with some new sympathetic planting. All kept in good condition.
Woodland walk around the property is recommended takes about an hour and is hilly but well worth the effort to get the views.
Have a stop off in the cafe and enyoy the ice cream.
Woodland walk around the property is recommended takes about an hour and is hilly but well worth the effort to get the views.
Have a stop off in the cafe and enyoy the ice cream.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We enjoyed a 2.5 hour visit to Hestercombe Gardens recently as we had an afternoon to kill in Taunton with a dog in tow! Plenty to look at in these Gardens, I would say it is more about garden buildings and design than it is plants, as no plants were labelled or details given and some places were a little less than manicured, but a lovely place to visit none the less. Beautiful pond with swans , interesting garden structures ( witch hut, pagoda, mausoleum, summerhouse etc etc ) around every corner and a well laid out path and walkway.
Victorian and Edwardian gardens designed by Lutyens and Gertrude Jeykell.
Is mostly suitable for buggies and wheelchairs but some areas were very steep and therefore more difficult to access for all.
Lovely cafe and shop also there with cream teas and ice cream, etc etc.
Victorian and Edwardian gardens designed by Lutyens and Gertrude Jeykell.
Is mostly suitable for buggies and wheelchairs but some areas were very steep and therefore more difficult to access for all.
Lovely cafe and shop also there with cream teas and ice cream, etc etc.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very good to spend half a day walking all around the garden. Ideal for a long stroll in the woods. I can recommend this place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
18 of for afternoon tea - we had 2 long tables in the Column Room, other tables in there for fellow diners. Poor them if a table for 2 with a noisy large crowd in the same room. Huge choice of teas which came in individual pots. 3 tiered cake stand per 2 guests, sandwiches, Pimms jelly, dainty cakes, scones - clotted cream and jam to share - could probably have done with a few more savoury pieces and it's not the cheapest £18.95 each - £6 extra if you want fizz. Children half price. You do get half price entry into the gardens which are delightful. Some of our party had done that first, to me though it looked as if you could get free access after the tea as the house is set within the gardens - try it that way round.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came here as part of a present for my mum for her 70th Birthday treat, Firstly when it was booked nothing was mentioned about having to pay extra to get into House & Gardens where the Afternoon is held, Didnt know this until we arrived thankfully it was only an extra £5.50 per person half the usual entrance fee. What would have been good if they said that the afternoon Tea included entry to the House and Gardens, if you are working on a budget you then you need to know these things.
Had heard alot about the Afternoon Teas which was good, though when it arrived was somewhat disappointed in the lack of sandwiches and cakes, for 2 people, though thought the Jelly was nice and different and refreshing.
Gardens were well maintained nice selection of flowers some unusual, nice 2nd book shop within the house catering for all ages which is nice.
If you love gardens then you could easily spend the whole day here or during opening hours,
Due to the location you need a vehicle to get out to here, or visit as a group
Car parking is Free which is always nice to see.
Had heard alot about the Afternoon Teas which was good, though when it arrived was somewhat disappointed in the lack of sandwiches and cakes, for 2 people, though thought the Jelly was nice and different and refreshing.
Gardens were well maintained nice selection of flowers some unusual, nice 2nd book shop within the house catering for all ages which is nice.
If you love gardens then you could easily spend the whole day here or during opening hours,
Due to the location you need a vehicle to get out to here, or visit as a group
Car parking is Free which is always nice to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely views and gardens
Source: google.com
Our visit to Hestercombe Gardens was really enjoyable. The formal gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll and have only fairly recently been restored to their former glory.
There is an area of woodland with walks for the more adventurous or a stroll around the formal gardens is a delight.
An excellent café completes any visit for tea and cake after your walk around the gardens.
There is an area of woodland with walks for the more adventurous or a stroll around the formal gardens is a delight.
An excellent café completes any visit for tea and cake after your walk around the gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a wet and windy day and it was a really excellent visit. Lovely gardens and really good walks and restored buildings. Lots of history and helpful staff and volunteers. Once shop and cafe. The main restaurant looked pretty good as well. Great for kids and dogs on a lead.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A thoroughly delightful garden with beautiful flowerbeds and countryside vistas, as well as an interesting house and good cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Extensive gardens, excellent walks around the grounds, food a bit too elaborate & therefore quite expensive.
Source: google.com
