Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Hestercombe is a lovely day out. Nestled at the edge of the Quantock Hills, A fully restored landscape garden awaits, both a formal and a fully landscaped huge area. Great food too, and a shop; you can easily spend all day here with the kids - plenty for them to do too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
i was really looking forward to hestercombe and there were things about it I really liked but I did feel the borders were sadly lacking in colour ( a few dahlia bulbs or summer annuals would have made a big difference) the garden shop had dahlias and bright yellow rudbeckias so not sure why the garden borders had none of them in. the architecture and layout of the garden is enchanting with lily ponds but I did feel areas needed some love and care, there is a lovely woodland walk but all in all overpriced at £11 each
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited Hestercombe Gardens after they were recommended to us by a number of people. So glad we did. Beautiful formal gardens, landscaped grounds, water features, lake and waterfall all combine with amazing views across Somerset. We enjoyed it so much that we took out an annual membership so that we can visit throughout the year and see it through the changing seasons. Didn't have time to visit the House so still have that to look forward to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live locally but had not visited recently. This was an excellent visit. Sunny day and the garden still colourful given that this was August. The formal garden was memorable. The House visit took in an interesting modern art exhibition. Helpful staff at the entrance and in the Stables cafe. Very dog friendly and water bowls available. Will try not to have so long a gap before our next visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The two for one Gardeners World offer is accepted here. The Gardens have distinct areas with formal gardens to the front of the property including the interesting Dutch garden. The rest is set out in a series of vistas as you wonder through the woods and around the various ponds/lakes including a waterfall (more of a dribble in summer!). All in all a very pleasant walk through the woods and around the gardens. Good cafe as well to round off the day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe Gardens are a wonder to behold.
I have been visiting for several years and still enjoy every visit.
The formal gardens are beautifully laid out and the colours change from one season to another.
The main garden is lovely to stroll through, with many paths taking you past ponds, streams, irrigation channels, a wonderful selection of follies/buildings, as well as a beautiful selection of flowers, shrubs and trees. I can also thoroughly recommend the cafe/restaurant and the House and Orangery are well worth a visit
I have been visiting for several years and still enjoy every visit.
The formal gardens are beautifully laid out and the colours change from one season to another.
The main garden is lovely to stroll through, with many paths taking you past ponds, streams, irrigation channels, a wonderful selection of follies/buildings, as well as a beautiful selection of flowers, shrubs and trees. I can also thoroughly recommend the cafe/restaurant and the House and Orangery are well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
At least 2 hrs of fun for the kids running wild around the landscaping. Reasonably safe but be careful by the lake, no barriers. Otherwise you'll have a job keeping up with them.
Top tip.
When you get to the formal gardens if you block off all but one of the jets on the fountain the water goes a long long way. Enjoy.
Top tip.
When you get to the formal gardens if you block off all but one of the jets on the fountain the water goes a long long way. Enjoy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a wonderful garden/estate to walk around! The grounds are great with a nature trail for kids to enjoy. They have lakes, streams, waterfalls and some lovely architectural buildings. We were lucky the weather was great and this made the walk and the surrounding even better. The walking routes are a little strenuous in places and can be fairly steep, but they cater for the less enthusiastic walkers with an easy route on flatter pathways. The formal gardens up around the house are beautiful. Full of symmetry and lazy water features. We had lunch in the cafe and I must say the food was excellent. Not the cheapest, but a good varied menu of home cooked food which went down a treat. They also have the obligatory shop where you can buy a whole host of gifts. We did not venture into the house unfortunately, but it looked fantastic.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Superb day out, garden well laid out and plenty of planting schemes, pagola very colourful. We particularly enjoyed the circular walk around the lake easy walking and not too steep. The tea room very welcoming with very pleasant staff,a visit to the shop, very well stocked.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely place to visit each season or more often, especially worth buying an annual membership. Grandchildren love running around, walking in stream and feeding the ducks. Wonderful views for Nannie to enjoy, win win!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens range from relaxed to the formal. Great place to walk the dog, or to allow the children to run off energy. They are great for all including disabled. The cafe is really good value and relaxed. The shop is also interesting for all. Evan the car park is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A Gertrude Jeckel garden in front of the mansion, previously the home of the Portman Family. There is a shop, plant nursery and a snack area at the back of the house and a Restaurant and art gallery inside the main house.
The walk in the grounds behind the house includes waterfall, lakes, streams and follies, and is well worth the trp.
The walk in the grounds behind the house includes waterfall, lakes, streams and follies, and is well worth the trp.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We last visited Hestercombe about 20 years ago when it was the HQ of Somerset Fire Service and the restoration of the gardens was underway. Today it is simply stunning. Work around the lakes is still ongoing. The rest of the garden has been restored to a very high standard. It is now possible to access the house, which houses a lovely restaurant. The house is unfurnished but in some way it allows the architecture to be enjoyed more. We could not sample the menu as the restaurant is not open every day. However the shop and cafe do not let the garden down. It is well worth travelling some distance to visit Hestercombe. I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friends,who make an effort to travel over twenty miles to visit regularly,are season ticket holders and we sometimes visit when staying with them.
The gardens are delightful,from the walks up the hill in the woods,to the more formal gardens near the house. The formal gardens planting is spectacular and extremely well maintained.
We missed seeing the resident kingfisher on the lake this time and assume he was on his holidays!
The cafe is better than most similar venues (good quality at reasonable prices). The shop could do with a little less cheap 'rubbish'.
Well worth a visit!
The gardens are delightful,from the walks up the hill in the woods,to the more formal gardens near the house. The formal gardens planting is spectacular and extremely well maintained.
We missed seeing the resident kingfisher on the lake this time and assume he was on his holidays!
The cafe is better than most similar venues (good quality at reasonable prices). The shop could do with a little less cheap 'rubbish'.
Well worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
For a year we became members which is well worth it. Lovely gardens for everyone. Oldies, children and even disabled people , we saw someone on a buggy. Lovely coffee shop and restaurant..
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It has been a few years since I have been around the gardens at Hestercombe and I have to say they did not disappoint, they are even more beautiful than I remember, such a relaxing and peaceful place to spend a day, it was good to see so many different generations enjoying the beauty of these unique gardens, and what a bonus to be able to still walk your dog around the gardens. There are two excellent areas to eat offering a wonderful choice of food. Loved it will return soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August you certainly see a garden at it's prime. Gorgeous planting and lots to explore if you have time. We walked for ages around the spacious grounds. The children enjoyed spotting the various sculptures and follies en route. Thoroughly enjoyable afternoon out.
Super plant sale at the exit too.
Super plant sale at the exit too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having lived in Taunton since 1960 I am amazed that this was my first visit to the Gardens but it was. My wife and I visited yesterday and it has to be said that the weather was outstanding which helped greatly. The whole of the site was beautiful, restful and well maintained. During school holidays they have a series of children's activities every Tuesday. The fact that there were lots and lots of children on the site did not detract from the enjoyment because one hardly heard them at all and when one did it was just the enjoyment noise that one would expect. The staff at reception were so helpful and explained, not in a condescending way, the best route for my wife's mobility scooter. We were not disappointed at all with the visit. As with everything one can find criticism if one looks deeply enough. For instance there is little shelter in the gardens if the weather should take a turn for the worse and the food in the Stable Café was a little on the expensive side. Having said that, the baguettes we consumed were absolutely marvellous and the chocolate cookies are to die for (don't tell my diabetic nurse!). You are welcome to take your own food and there are ample picnics available in a couple of places. Overall a smashing visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went here to introduce my fiancé to his new in-laws and it was a lovely sunny day. The scones were bloody massive and the amount of clotted cream and strawberry jam they had in a pot was criminal, there was LOADS! The scones weren't overpriced and other than that (as a Coeliac me) I had some crisps and a coke. Good nosh. :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The person who picked the horrible lime green chairs for the café should have gone to Specsavers.They are totally out of keeping with the surroundings.
Gardens are fantastic and a credit to the lady gardeners.
Shame about the house which is crying out to a- turn the downstairs rooms into a large gift shop selling quality gifts instead of the cheap tat in the present shop b- turn the house into a antique / art / craft centre with individual rooms rented out to different traders c- furnish the downstairs with period furniture....I would personally visit regularly if option b were chosen.
Gardens are fantastic and a credit to the lady gardeners.
Shame about the house which is crying out to a- turn the downstairs rooms into a large gift shop selling quality gifts instead of the cheap tat in the present shop b- turn the house into a antique / art / craft centre with individual rooms rented out to different traders c- furnish the downstairs with period furniture....I would personally visit regularly if option b were chosen.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful gardens and an interesting house. The explanation of how the gardens were renovated brought it all to life. Cafe is also good for a roast or Guinness cake!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and peaceful lovely environment. Walks there are amazing lakes, splashing water fall is fun to splash about in, unique buildings, beatiful. The trails are brilliant. The restraunt is relaxing and food is good
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I recently enjoyed a sunny summers' day at Hestercombe- we had a lovely walk arounf=d the gardens- which are looking stunning in their full herbaceous beauty and then we enjoyed a superb lunch in the Colonnade Restaurant. The service was superb and the beef cheeks main course -outstanding. After lunch we sat in the garden and soaked up the peace and quiet before heading home feeling refreshed, a perfect tonic for a busy life!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There are super terraced gardens with lovely views and wooded garden walks. Some of the paths are quite steep but fine if you take it slow. There is a nice shop and cafe.
There was a wedding taking place when we visited on Saturday afternoon in the orangery but this does not stop you going in the gardens nearby.
There was a wedding taking place when we visited on Saturday afternoon in the orangery but this does not stop you going in the gardens nearby.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Hestercombe last weekend. You need a whole afternoon to do the gardens justice. The site covers 50 acres! Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
