Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Amazing place great wedding venue or just a walk around the grounds. Lovely views in all weather's.
Source: google.com
I have visited Hestercombe on several occasions in different seasons and found the
formal Gardens to be of exceptional quality. The informal grounds are less eye catching,
So much more could be made of this stunning site, more information on trees and shrubs a simple sign giving the visitor the botanical name would be a bonus.
Also for a reasonable sum of money the water cascade could be increased the result
would be well worth the cost. This lovely walk needing a reasonable amount of energy
could be enhanced and the footfall would would be greatly increased.
I now look at the catering and retail side of the attraction. The catering is adequate and the staff friendly and obliging. The shop has a attractive range of merchandise and a great deal of thought has gone into the book section, I was delighted to see Shire Books
And other books dealing with Country matters shown, very refreshing. In all the buyers
have worked hard to produce a first class range of merchandise.
The Garden section again stocked interesting plants at affordable prices. I am sure this
Would be reflected in good sales figures.
Lastly I come to the house. I feel that there must be some reason for the complete lack
of taste and neglect that you feel if you enter the house. What an opportunity lost,I am
sure you do not me to try to point out what has not been ACHEIVED .
However I came to see the Gardens not the house
formal Gardens to be of exceptional quality. The informal grounds are less eye catching,
So much more could be made of this stunning site, more information on trees and shrubs a simple sign giving the visitor the botanical name would be a bonus.
Also for a reasonable sum of money the water cascade could be increased the result
would be well worth the cost. This lovely walk needing a reasonable amount of energy
could be enhanced and the footfall would would be greatly increased.
I now look at the catering and retail side of the attraction. The catering is adequate and the staff friendly and obliging. The shop has a attractive range of merchandise and a great deal of thought has gone into the book section, I was delighted to see Shire Books
And other books dealing with Country matters shown, very refreshing. In all the buyers
have worked hard to produce a first class range of merchandise.
The Garden section again stocked interesting plants at affordable prices. I am sure this
Would be reflected in good sales figures.
Lastly I come to the house. I feel that there must be some reason for the complete lack
of taste and neglect that you feel if you enter the house. What an opportunity lost,I am
sure you do not me to try to point out what has not been ACHEIVED .
However I came to see the Gardens not the house
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited with family & had lovely wander in the gardens followed by drinks & cakes in cafe.
The gardens were large & well laid out although a little more information about the plants as you walk around would be welcomed.
The house lets the whole experience down. I would have expected the rooms to be furnished in keeping with the Edwardian period. The restaurant looks nice but as the rest of the building is empty it seems a little odd. There is a resident artist whose work takes up the top floor. However her work was not to my liking & again something more in keeping with an Edwardian country manor would be more appropriate.
The gardens were large & well laid out although a little more information about the plants as you walk around would be welcomed.
The house lets the whole experience down. I would have expected the rooms to be furnished in keeping with the Edwardian period. The restaurant looks nice but as the rest of the building is empty it seems a little odd. There is a resident artist whose work takes up the top floor. However her work was not to my liking & again something more in keeping with an Edwardian country manor would be more appropriate.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited Hestercombe with a friend. We wanted a stroll that wouldn't be too taxing and some cake!
We found super friendly staff, incredible gardens and an art exhibition which changes every 3 months.
Food was hard to choose due to the selection but chose a cream tea which didn't disappoint.
There is a longer walk that I will return to complete and the plants on sale require another inspection.
Great day out - thank you. 😊
We found super friendly staff, incredible gardens and an art exhibition which changes every 3 months.
Food was hard to choose due to the selection but chose a cream tea which didn't disappoint.
There is a longer walk that I will return to complete and the plants on sale require another inspection.
Great day out - thank you. 😊
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our Grandson got married here to his beautiful girl, the setting was magical, the reception in the Orangery was superb, food and staff were excellent, just a perfect day. The grounds are magnificent and would love to visit again to explore them further.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We are members here, so no surprise we love it. Expensive entry (£11 each) if you're not members.
Our boys of 3 and 5 love it. Particular favourite is playing in the stream and waterfall.
Dogs must be kept on leads, which suits us as our Beagle would disappear otherwise!
It is beautiful and very picturesque, especially in the sunshine. Cold clear winter days are my personal favourite.
You are not allowed picnics within the gardens, but there are a handful of picnic benches before the entrance.
Car parking is free. They have charging for electric vehicles.
Our boys of 3 and 5 love it. Particular favourite is playing in the stream and waterfall.
Dogs must be kept on leads, which suits us as our Beagle would disappear otherwise!
It is beautiful and very picturesque, especially in the sunshine. Cold clear winter days are my personal favourite.
You are not allowed picnics within the gardens, but there are a handful of picnic benches before the entrance.
Car parking is free. They have charging for electric vehicles.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a lovely stroll around the grounds this afternoon with the wife, the last time we visited our sons were boys, We didn't climb the highest routes as wife found it to challenging. Nevertheless it was a lovely afternoon out, We bought some plants which were a reasonable price if not cheaper than a garden centre. Only critism was the prices in the stable cafe were a little steep, £2-30 for the smallest bottle of coke I have ever seen, although tea and coffee did seen reasonable
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely location with beautiful walks and far reaching views. Something for everyone here and after a lovely walk visit the restaurant for drinks and a light lunch, wonderful and very reasonable membership rates so we can do it again and again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a truly picturesque setting for a fairy tale wedding. They chose their venue well. Staff were very good, food was delicious. I fully recommend Hestercombe Gardens if you were looking for a wedding venue, even if you just want to look around the grounds it is a worthwhile day out too. We will certainly revisit .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I hadn't been here for years - over 15 - so wasn't sure what to expect. A lot has been done to it in that time. The gardens are lovely and the walk up to the lake is beautiful. There is a lovely waterfall and so much to see. It is also dog friendly. Dogs can go anywhere except in the house which is great. The house itself is empty except for a second hand bookstall and some art space. They plan to exhibit art and open it up for gallery space. But you can see what the house would have been like - amazing views out to Taunton. We had lunch in the café which was great. Staff were really friendly and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We came here today (27/07/16) because we missed last Wednesday's trip here. We travelled via West Somerset Steam Railway because it provides value for money - at a total cost of £24 this includes the train journey, a vintage bus to the destination from Bishops Lydeard, and admission to Hestercombe (normally £11 per adult). The vintage bus journey was fun because we were sat on the open top deck and were subject to occasional drizzly rain and overhanging branches and shrubs. When we got there, we were given a small easy to use map of the area. The trails and gardens were well maintained, even those off the beaten track. The gardens by Hestercombe House were very symmetrical and colourful and it was a pleasure to see such a masterpiece. There were also water features such as waterfalls and ponds. I bought some duck and fish food earlier (60p per bag) which they loved. There was a resident swan that was very territorial and hungry so it pecked my foot! We briefly popped into the House for a spot of lunch, only to find the food was very expensive, so we decided to have lunch at the tea room by the entrance to the grounds (ham salad brown baguettes including crisps and side salad at £6.25 per person washed down with tea). We noticed there was a gallery and book shop at the house but didn't have time to visit. By the tea room there was a large shop with a separate garden shop so we had plenty of time to look around. By 1530hrs we had to make our way back to the vintage bus to Bishops Lydeard and onward to Minehead via train
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a beautiful setting upon the Quantock hill. Lovely gardens, pretty tea room. Me and my wife enjoyed the elegant walks through it all. Definitely worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's quite a nice place to visit. I've visited in the summer and winter but do find it rather expensive for what it is. It is more shrubs than anything and would not want to pay full price. I tend to go when my friends have free tickets. I think the ice rink Is small and crowded and not worth the money. Generally not good value for money. Although a pleasant experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stunning walks through the bluebell woods and carriage rides. Wonderful views, secluded and hidden valley really gives the sense of being away from it all. Lovely formal gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Formal attractive gardens and nice tea room. Lots of open space for children to run around and explore.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The social changes over the years left these gardens overgrown. Over the last decade they have been carefully restored and form a lovely place to walk. There are formal gardens, plus a lovely landscaped areas with a series of ornamental lakes and restored follies.
The gardens owe their look to Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edward Lutyens. Now the house is being brought back into use. There is a good cafe, and outbuildings that house restored early equipment for generating electricity.
The gardens owe their look to Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edward Lutyens. Now the house is being brought back into use. There is a good cafe, and outbuildings that house restored early equipment for generating electricity.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercome has two different sorts of garden. The formal garden by Lutyens and Jekyll which looks amazing in any weather because of the hard landscaping. It looks at its best, in my opinion, when the roses are out. It's about £10 an adult admittance, so best left until around June. The landscape garden has 'seats' rather than 'follies' .The Gothic seat has a lovely view over Taunton vale, and worth the walk. Beware the swan in the lake, he's a real grumpy guts and I have a scar on my leg from standing next to the pond. He came over and bit me on the leg. No mate or cygnets. It's worth having a look around the house for the views of the gardens. The exhibitiions are usually pretty bad. I'm a friend of Hestercombe gardens, and pay around £30 a year to visit as often as I like, which is good value. If they are selling ice cream cones at the kiosk where you pay to get in, which they do occasionally, I recommend those. Delicious! The old mill is also worth a good look.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Of course the gardens were spectacular with allsorts of little ideas taken home to experiment with. We were very unfortunate to have a few rain showers but the house, it's modern art exhibition and a grand cream tea meant we were not without things to do. A must for anyone in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not just a lovely garden but also some excellent food, nothing over the top, but wholesome, and the Sunday lunch is simple and uncomplicated leaving you felling full.
Downs side only one till so if coach in can be a long line waiting to order
Downs side only one till so if coach in can be a long line waiting to order
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Everything about Hestercombe Gardens is on a grand scale. This beautiful estate in a Quantocks valley has been occupied for over a thousand years and presents an extended view of the neighbouring Blackdown Hills. The present- day house has an unfortunate, heavy Victorian facade built of a sullen grey stone, and looms above this gorgeous setting.But never mind: the flamboyant plaster work of its interior is hugely impressive.And such an appropriate venue for an art galley currently dominated by the landscape artworks of Clare Woods. Her brilliantly coloured paintings on aluminium and plastic, flood the vast spaces in a way you are unlikely to see anywhere else. Simply stunning.
The gardens were originally designed to be viewed and admired as a series of landscape paintings, accompanied by a series of cascades, canals and pools which are a joy to walk around. The later gardens are a Jeykyll/Lutyens masterpiece.
Do eat in the Stables. The food is imaginative, well presented and served. A treat.
The gardens were originally designed to be viewed and admired as a series of landscape paintings, accompanied by a series of cascades, canals and pools which are a joy to walk around. The later gardens are a Jeykyll/Lutyens masterpiece.
Do eat in the Stables. The food is imaginative, well presented and served. A treat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Hestercombe Gardens and spent a wonderful day there exploring all the trails and also the formal gardens of Hestercombe House. All the gardens are well laid out with plenty of seating and picnic areas too. A handy guide map is given free and very helpful, as are the staff. There are events during the year and is dog friendly. There is a shop, plant centre and Stables Cafe that does a good variety of food and drinks. Nearby is Hestercombe House which offers a second-hand book shop, art exhibitions and the Column Room Restaurant (Wed-Sun) offering waiter service for lunch and afternoon tea. Well worth a day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We last visited Hestercombe Gardens in 2013 and after our visit last week, I felt a little disappointed. The gardens were very much the same, and the walk around the lakes was very pleasant, but the entrance fee has risen to £11 per person. The only addition for the increase in price was entry to Hestercome House, which was completely empty except for paintings in an art exhibition and a second hand book shop, which took a very short amount of time to walk around. The house is in need of some period furnishings, but I assume this is a work in progress. The gardens were lovely, which is why I have rated the experience as 'very good'. However, sadly the cafe has gone down hill. It looked tired, dirty and in need of redecoration. We sat at a dirty table and while the staff cleared away the cups etc, none of the tables were wiped clean.
I would recommend visiting for the garden and parkland walks, but the house and cafe were disappointing, and did not seem good value for money.
I would recommend visiting for the garden and parkland walks, but the house and cafe were disappointing, and did not seem good value for money.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a wonderful place to go with friends or family. Membership definitely worth it but regardless food is great! Cafe / restaurant at front serves great salads, sandwiches and hot food and service is excellent ! For something a bit more special try the restaurant in the main house !! Overlooking gardens :-) .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We go here a fair bit as it makes a change from town centre or mass chain coffee shops
Like the staff and quality of food offered and it always is busy which says it all
You can use coffee shop without paying entrance fee into the wonderful grounds
Like the staff and quality of food offered and it always is busy which says it all
You can use coffee shop without paying entrance fee into the wonderful grounds
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Super garden. Surprising views, Lutyens left outstanding work
Source: google.com
