Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Gardens are really beautiful . Get good walking shoes!! Lakes, bridges, hills,,stream, waterfall, .. Plenty to see. We spent 3-4 hrs there . It's more a day trip rather then quick visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful garden. We went in September and expectations weren't high at this time of year. But we were blown away by the formal gardens, which combined ostensibly simple and clean design with exquisite arts and crafts detail. And we could take the dogs into the whole of the gardens. I suspect the gardens are great in all seasons.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a nice place for a special lunch as the restaurant overlooks the formal gardens and you can see the weather rolling in off the hills and the light changing over the vale of Taunton which is spectacular. It was August so of course it was raining!
The food was very nice, but not outstanding and not particularly generous. The starters were tasty and homemade breads accompanied made a nice touch ( we had sardines, soup, terrine) and then three of us had fish with samphire. It was huge portion of samphire, which is a strong flavour, and some of it quite woody, so it became a bit overpowering and boring. The fish (lemon sole) was cooked beautifully, though small filets, and the sauce was ok. It really could have done with a couple of nice buttered new potatoes (and less samphire) to complete the dish especially as no side dishes of veg were on the menu to be ordered if I recall correctly. The fourth person had a Moroccan chicken dish which was very good, although again a bit of a delicate portion. Puds were very nice and filled us up where the fish hadn't quite done so.
We enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine and service was excellent. It is a little lacking in ambience without any music but thankfully there were a few other tables in.
Overall, it was very good but didn't leave us enthused to rush back. Think about the atmosphere with some light music and if you are doing fine dining and charge accordingly, then it needs to really hit the mark with a bit more oomph in terms of depth of flavours and balance in the dishes. This might seem picky but it just fell a little flat for us. In this setting, though, loads of potential!
The food was very nice, but not outstanding and not particularly generous. The starters were tasty and homemade breads accompanied made a nice touch ( we had sardines, soup, terrine) and then three of us had fish with samphire. It was huge portion of samphire, which is a strong flavour, and some of it quite woody, so it became a bit overpowering and boring. The fish (lemon sole) was cooked beautifully, though small filets, and the sauce was ok. It really could have done with a couple of nice buttered new potatoes (and less samphire) to complete the dish especially as no side dishes of veg were on the menu to be ordered if I recall correctly. The fourth person had a Moroccan chicken dish which was very good, although again a bit of a delicate portion. Puds were very nice and filled us up where the fish hadn't quite done so.
We enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine and service was excellent. It is a little lacking in ambience without any music but thankfully there were a few other tables in.
Overall, it was very good but didn't leave us enthused to rush back. Think about the atmosphere with some light music and if you are doing fine dining and charge accordingly, then it needs to really hit the mark with a bit more oomph in terms of depth of flavours and balance in the dishes. This might seem picky but it just fell a little flat for us. In this setting, though, loads of potential!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with my wife.
Lovely gardens to look around. You can spend hours looking around the gardens if you wish.
Good food on offer in cafe.
A great day out for either families or couples.
Lovely gardens to look around. You can spend hours looking around the gardens if you wish.
Good food on offer in cafe.
A great day out for either families or couples.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens in front of the house were nice but not very colourful, not very accessible as there are lots of steps. We looked for the cascade but was hard to find as there was no water coming down. The woodland walk away from the house you need good sturdy shoes. I didn't go into the house as we had a dog. The cafe is worth a visit as the food is delicious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took a visit here on the spur of the moment, and was very pleasantly surprised.
The gardens and views are insanely beautiful. There are a few exhibits and presentations to keep you occupied along the way. Staff were very friendly, and everything appeared immaculately maintained.
The gardens and views are insanely beautiful. There are a few exhibits and presentations to keep you occupied along the way. Staff were very friendly, and everything appeared immaculately maintained.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Dogs allowed everywhere except inside the house (as usual for most attractions). The house is architecturally interesting externally but inside is of more interest to modern (contemporary?) art lovers.
Gardens are a pleasure and well landscaped with some great views over the valley.
Could do with a few more dog waste bins around though, especially to the south of the formal gardens.
Gardens are a pleasure and well landscaped with some great views over the valley.
Could do with a few more dog waste bins around though, especially to the south of the formal gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful gardens and grounds, wonderful lunch
Source: google.com
Good all round place for visit particularly with children or older people, very nice walks with unusual features and lakes as well as lovely formal gardens, shop and plants for sale and cafe serving nice food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Popped in to Hestercombe for a lovely tranquil walk in the woods.
Wandered around the beautiful gardens, and had a fresh cup of coffee with a salmon baguette. Never been before but will definitely be going again.
Wandered around the beautiful gardens, and had a fresh cup of coffee with a salmon baguette. Never been before but will definitely be going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The beautiful gardens of Hestercombe are well worth a visit but this review is a wedding location recommendation. The ceremony was in the unique orangearie with harpist in the background. Pimms and games on the lawn then dinner in the hall. Excellent food and service and the location generally for wedding photography was excellent. Lots of room for breakaway groups of friends and room for the children to play. Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brillant place to visit. Really wonderfull and magical gardens, and a great place to walk around.
Source: google.com
First time here today. Fabulous gardens and a beautiful walk. So many interesting outer buildings and follies. Fascinating history. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have always passed by this garden and never thought to go in it until we saw it on gardeners world .What a wonderful garden and grounds it takes your breathe away.There is a play area for small children and a picnic area as well as a cafe .If you are to walk the grounds wear good shoes as it is a 56 acre garden with pools and lakes with follies as well as the beautiful formal gardens and orangery.Paths are disabled friendly and pushchair friendly.Dogs are welcome on leads .The house has a artist in residence and her works are on show.The house is empty of furniture but has a restaurant as well as a second hand book shop.toilets are disabled and child friendly .Car park and coach park.Afterwards ? you will be too tired to any more ,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We bar costed Hestercombe so many times and each time we have a wonderful time.
The views and the gardens are spectacular and we love stomping round to explore. The cafe and tea room are delightful and all the food is fresh and (I am guessing) local. It certainly seems it!
The addition of a BBQ over the recent bank holiday weekend was a brilliant idea and we really enjoyed tucking into it after our walking.
The views and the gardens are spectacular and we love stomping round to explore. The cafe and tea room are delightful and all the food is fresh and (I am guessing) local. It certainly seems it!
The addition of a BBQ over the recent bank holiday weekend was a brilliant idea and we really enjoyed tucking into it after our walking.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe has a great deal to offer both adults and children. Four aspects justify mention.
The formal gardens, were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens with planting based on schemes from Gertrude Jekyll. Walls on three sides surround the garden, which is laid-out in a rectangular pattern, with rills of water between rows of planting. To the south is an open view over the Vale of Taunton Deane to the Blackdown Hills. The semi-amphitheatre setting and the view to the south make for a special atmosphere. The range of plants is worthy of study.
The Orangery and Shrubbery, and the plants within them, also contribute to Hestercombe being a special place to visit.
Hestercombe covers some 40 acres containing the very special woodland walk. Laid-out in a valley, the walk contains a stream, several ponds, with associated planting, and the Grand Cascade, a waterfall issuing from a leat built into the hillside. On the hillside, set amongst the planted trees, there are a number of follies, including temples, urns and observation points, which add to the romantic atmosphere.
The cafe/restaurant in the converted stables, provides more than adequate refreshment, suitable for all ages, and the shop is well-stocked for gifts and souvenirs to purchase and take away.
Hestercombe is therefore a romantic and attractive venue for a relaxing and stimulating visit. it is only a short distance from the M5 motorway, and worth any detour to break-up any journey.
The formal gardens, were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens with planting based on schemes from Gertrude Jekyll. Walls on three sides surround the garden, which is laid-out in a rectangular pattern, with rills of water between rows of planting. To the south is an open view over the Vale of Taunton Deane to the Blackdown Hills. The semi-amphitheatre setting and the view to the south make for a special atmosphere. The range of plants is worthy of study.
The Orangery and Shrubbery, and the plants within them, also contribute to Hestercombe being a special place to visit.
Hestercombe covers some 40 acres containing the very special woodland walk. Laid-out in a valley, the walk contains a stream, several ponds, with associated planting, and the Grand Cascade, a waterfall issuing from a leat built into the hillside. On the hillside, set amongst the planted trees, there are a number of follies, including temples, urns and observation points, which add to the romantic atmosphere.
The cafe/restaurant in the converted stables, provides more than adequate refreshment, suitable for all ages, and the shop is well-stocked for gifts and souvenirs to purchase and take away.
Hestercombe is therefore a romantic and attractive venue for a relaxing and stimulating visit. it is only a short distance from the M5 motorway, and worth any detour to break-up any journey.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Arrived on a hot Tuesday afternoon during the school holidays and found out that there were children's activities each Tuesday during the holidays. It looked really good and all the children were enjoying themselves. The gardens were remarkable and very visitor friendly with regard to access. Went in the house but did not go to the Art exhibition but went into the secondhand book sale. It was too hot to be indoors so went out and explored the gardens a little more before finishing off with a cream tea in the courtyard café. We did not have as much time there as we would have liked so will return and stay longer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent over two hours here, walking around the gardens, which are really beautiful. The video detailing the history of the gardens and their restoration is very well done and well worth seeing. The second hand bookshop had some real bargains. Neither my wife nor I enjoyed the current (end August) art exhibition, but we are not avid fans of modern art. The staff were very friendly, and we would go again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful gardens for a romantic Sunday walk. Finished nicely with a coffee and cake in the café. Will be back with the kids
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Recently visited on a hot sunny day in the summer holidays. Although there were a lot of parked cars in adequate areas the garden was surprisingly uncrowded There was an art installation in the main house, it was very modern however a delightful guide helped us to understand the artist a little better.The gardens were glorious, in full summer bloom. Well worth exploring using the map. Enjoy the vistas, a lot of thought went into this design. Short films are available throughout and very helpful. Children loved the waterfall and challenges. Some areas maybe difficult for the disabled.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited this garden during a rainy day. It is relaxing but we expected more of the informal garden (but we're not garden specialists). The formal gardens close to the house however, are truly beautiful. Takes about 2 h for the place to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Was at vivary park for a concert so didn't get to look around too much but what I did see looked beautiful, will come back to explore the whole park
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful place to visit, wonderful formal gardens and then complete contrast with lovely walks with a more informal beauty. Great for children to run around in safety and all the dogs we saw also loved it.
To walk around would take 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. Good tea room area to eat and drink.
Gardens open at 10 am which is a very good time to get there if you can as you can then enjoy the tranquility of the place.
To walk around would take 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace. Good tea room area to eat and drink.
Gardens open at 10 am which is a very good time to get there if you can as you can then enjoy the tranquility of the place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to Hestercombe Gardens many times and I have never been disappointed by the variety of plants the layout of the gardens and the peace and beauty of the gardens especially as you walk away from the buildings towards the pond and up to the top. I recently had Afternoon tea in the Column Room which was very enjoyable with sandwiches, scones with cream and Jam, cake. a lemon posset, and accompanied by a pot of tea - delicious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A real rarity for garden aficionados and a real pleasure for those looking for a gentle stroll through beautiful gardens.
Hestercombe gives you access to a gardens from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. The rare, highlight are the gardens architected by Lutyens with the planting designed by Jekyll in 1903. This formal part of the garden is stunning with amazing planting and colour schemes across different layers of garden.
The walks through the 18th century landscape is lengthy enough to feel that tea and cake has been well earned. With beautiful views across the ccounty and the akes of the garden.
The tea room serves a good range of fairly simple dishes and delicious cakes. We didn't try the restaurant.
Note for dog owners - you will be very welcome in all parts of the site except the house itself.
Hestercombe gives you access to a gardens from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s. The rare, highlight are the gardens architected by Lutyens with the planting designed by Jekyll in 1903. This formal part of the garden is stunning with amazing planting and colour schemes across different layers of garden.
The walks through the 18th century landscape is lengthy enough to feel that tea and cake has been well earned. With beautiful views across the ccounty and the akes of the garden.
The tea room serves a good range of fairly simple dishes and delicious cakes. We didn't try the restaurant.
Note for dog owners - you will be very welcome in all parts of the site except the house itself.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
