Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Lovely place, good food well worth the visit. As I knew the place about 60 years ago when it was a run down area I think the staff have done a wonderful job with the gardens . Really beautiful in the spring and summer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited Hestercombe gardens in both summer and winter. In summer the gardens are beautiful, especially the formal gardens - although they aren't huge. In winter the gardens weren't so vibrant however they had added some different festive activities which are great for children. They could meet Father Christmas in his grotto and ice skating was available too. Also the garden was illuminated at dusk which made up for the lack of daytime colour. The downsides are the house - used as a modern art gallery but in need of some TLC - and the cost. Entry is pretty expensive and then any extra activities cost more on top of that. I would advise checking whats on before you visit and then you can make a more informed choice over how much to spend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went for a works do
Decorated beautiful stunning views fantastic spot good food friendly staff really good night good location xxx
Decorated beautiful stunning views fantastic spot good food friendly staff really good night good location xxx
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited Hestercombe house and gardens with friends on a cool December afternoon. After formal plantings near the house, the path ascends and takes you into a less formal wooded valley with lakes, passing a series of 'follies' set within the woods. A pleasant sheltered scenic undulating walk, mostly on surfaced pathways. The path then leads past a historical 'orangery ' building and back to the house.
Back at the main house, we visited the art gallery, book shop and restaurant. For a more modest fare, there is the main cafe, which did excellent home cooked food, tea, coffee, soft drinks and local beer. The main shop had a good selection of gifts, books etc.
The grounds are extensive and child friendly, and there were several activities available for younger children.
An interesting privately owned house and grounds, well worth a visit, and a change from National Trust properties. I recommend it for lunch and a modest afternoons ramble.
Phil
Back at the main house, we visited the art gallery, book shop and restaurant. For a more modest fare, there is the main cafe, which did excellent home cooked food, tea, coffee, soft drinks and local beer. The main shop had a good selection of gifts, books etc.
The grounds are extensive and child friendly, and there were several activities available for younger children.
An interesting privately owned house and grounds, well worth a visit, and a change from National Trust properties. I recommend it for lunch and a modest afternoons ramble.
Phil
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went here for a family celebration and absolutely loved every minute of it!! The food was lovely and the views were so idyllic! The staff were so polite and attentive and the building is lovely!! I would recommend this for a great event location!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I live in the area and like to visit our local attractions with friends and our children. I felt the entrance fee was steep considering the time of year. Out of peak season and quite honestly not worth the money. 7 pounds i think is a better amount to charge and still a generous one at that. Lowering your prices will encourage locals to visit. I understand you encourage people to buy membership but to charge 11pounds for a cold quiet November day with tractors racing around is too rude. We paid it as we were there. So the grounds are fine. Ive seen better & ive seen worse. Im a fan of water, wAterfalls and bridges so i was content with that. The swan was quite vicious, attacking us and the children. Biting etc. The children were petrified but this cannot be helped.
The cafe near the entrance was cute however 2 pounds for a child's cupcake is beyond an insult. I used to own two coffee shops before relocating to taunton and 2 pounds for a cupcake is un necessary.
I appreciate i dont have to buy it but its nice to stop for refreshments. It makes for a better, longer trip out.
This is just my opinion of course and the business has much potential but on the grounds of the entrance fee, i shall not be recommending to my friends.
The cafe near the entrance was cute however 2 pounds for a child's cupcake is beyond an insult. I used to own two coffee shops before relocating to taunton and 2 pounds for a cupcake is un necessary.
I appreciate i dont have to buy it but its nice to stop for refreshments. It makes for a better, longer trip out.
This is just my opinion of course and the business has much potential but on the grounds of the entrance fee, i shall not be recommending to my friends.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful Autumn colours at the moment, The lady at reception was really welcoming and helpful, advising us on what would be best route for the limited time we had before dusk. Good tea shop with nice cakes and lovely bookshop. All staff very helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good day out
Source: google.com
It's a lovely place however the parking is quite poor-quite far to walk on a dirt track until you reach the actual gardens. It's a good place to have a leisurely stroll, you could spend the whole day there! A few over priced shops by the cafe but it is for charity/local businesses so it is reasonable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We eat lunch at least once a week, hearty food and home made cakes. Afternoon served in the big house overlooking the grounds.If you'r not a member there is a fee for walking in the main gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went with a friend (about an hours drive). Our fault hadn't realised they charge £11 all year round. Had hoped you could just go into the gardens for a reduced price. Had a cup of tea and tea cake while there so not an entirely wasted visit which was nothing to write home about. Maybe will return in spring when weather better.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely gardens with so much to see. A walk in the woods in spring with daffs and other bulbs is magical and in July the Jekyll garden is so colourful. Also a good shop for plants and gifts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The trees were absolutely beautiful and really relaxing to just wander around the gardens - followed up by a cream tea and a mooch in the shop!
A fantastic way to spend an autumn Sunday afternoon.
A fantastic way to spend an autumn Sunday afternoon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful place to go for a sunset
Source: google.com
Absolutely fantastic morning out doing the halpween trail and exploring the gardens, woods and trails despite heavy rain. The kids adored the Halloween trial and making their own potions. Lots of space for the little ones to run wild, puddles, and places to sit and relax. In the summer it would be amazing to take a picnic. Lots of car parking, great kids play area and the cafe/ shop is fantastic. The chocolate brownies were delicious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We made the mistake of visiting Hestercombe during halfterm week. Unfortunately the visit was marred by a lot of unsupervised children ready for Halloween activities, the big queues and even bigger waits for food in the cafe, where there didn't seem to be enough staff to cope. At one stage a gardener was helping to clear the tables, which were piled high with discarded food and plates. It was not Hestercombe's fault, but would draw the line at mothers changing nappies on cafe tables.
The gardens and grounds were really superb and would have enjoyed it more if time had allowed. Lunch took an awful lot longer than we had planned.
It felt as though the place needed a bit of a tidy up. The great big commercial dustbins outside the front of the house just made tit look a bit tatty and uncared for.
We will give it another try on another day. We are members at Forde Abbey which means we get concessionary entry. Unfortunately this visit was, to be honest,very disappointing.
The gardens and grounds were really superb and would have enjoyed it more if time had allowed. Lunch took an awful lot longer than we had planned.
It felt as though the place needed a bit of a tidy up. The great big commercial dustbins outside the front of the house just made tit look a bit tatty and uncared for.
We will give it another try on another day. We are members at Forde Abbey which means we get concessionary entry. Unfortunately this visit was, to be honest,very disappointing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
One of my favourite places to visit, excellent cafe and beautiful gardens and grounds. The garden team work incredibly hard to capture how the grounds should be, excellent events put on for children too, this year (2016) it was called Terrific Tuesdays brilliant brilliant fun for children and adults of all ages!. I visit as often as possible, beautiful in every changing season. Great events all year round - worth visiting at Christmas time for Ice Rink too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
These gardens are superb and put on a range of really good activities and events throughout the year. The cafe and shop are all great. Despite this, and the fact I live very close, I only visit a couple of times a year due to the high entry price. It is absolutely well worth a visit but when you are a national trust member the free options are more appealing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had lunch and then went to check out gardens. Food in cafe really good and reasonable cost. Children really enjoyed finding follies in the garden and I enjoyed how pretty the gardens were . Lovely place and would definitely visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We love Hestercombe, we had a wonderful time completing the potion trail & dressing up as witches with broomsticks at the witch's house. We always love splashing around in the stream in our wellies. We finished with a lovely hot chocolate, having had a nice walk around the gardens. We will be back again soon, would recommend to people of all ages, we went with a 2 year old & 7 year old and with grand parents who are members.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic place to visit with the child over half term/holidays I decided to join up a membership and what great value for money. The kids run their little socks off and have fun outdoors. You'd be silly not to give this a visit. Just beautiful
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went along, confidently producing our National Trust membership cards... Anyway, £22 later (no reduction for old folk) we were in. We missed the introduction to the history of the place and could only piece it together from some videos and, later, a printed sheet. We had a very pleasant walk around the gardens (unfortunately the lovely waterfall had dried up through lack of rain). We eventually found ourselves in the house and in the temporary art exhibition where I gained more insight into the place through the explanations of the lady in attendance here. I am sure it will all improve over the years as Hestercombe has only been in possession of the Hestercombe Trust since 2013.
The formal gardens (as seen on 'Gardeners' World') were impressive, although the house looks pretty austere from that side.
The formal gardens (as seen on 'Gardeners' World') were impressive, although the house looks pretty austere from that side.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A most relaxing and beautiful place to spend a couple of hours and enjoy a decent walk. It's well worth becoming a member as you only need to visit 2/3 times to make it financially sensible. The tea room is very good however the house, which hasn't been open long, is a little disappointing
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've had several memberships to Hestercombe, but always take a packed lunch. I visited with my partner and our children this weekend, who are all 6 and under. We each had one drink and one modest meal (3 children's meals and 2 baguettes - except they actually gave us sandwiches), and it came in at £40!! We will definitely never make the mistake of forgetting the packed lunch again! Lovely day out otherwise.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were there 2 hours, looked at it all. Not as pretty as i thought it may be. Well kept. Wouldn't have thought it really worth the £11 each to get in though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
