Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
On our way to Chard we visited this lovely garden. Three contrasting areas - a longish valley garden with statuary etc., a large lake fed by a waterfall and providing a home for mallards. A classical garden on the south side of the property with formal beds and plantings, also an orangery with orange and lemon trees (in bloom when we visited and giving off a wonderful scent). A few sitting areas in quiet corners. The generator house where electricity is/was generated to serve the house and flour mill. The latter is all set up in working order and is therefore of historical interest, particularly for young people. A well used cafe with extensive interesting menu and small gift shop. Car parking is up into the woods and can be quite a hill up for people of limited mobility. Arrive early to overcome this!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely gardens. Quirky and interesting, with a great atmosphere. Especially impressed with facilities and attitude to disabled visitors.
Source: google.com
We enjoyed ou summer day visiting this su[p garden a real treasure of a find
Every part was a colourful vista
Every part was a colourful vista
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely gardens, the sunken garden is a delight. Once you've enjoyed the formality, there is the larger landscaped gardens with ponds and a river. Finally try the cafe, really nice.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Gertrude Jekyll gardens are lovely but we enjoyed the walks through the woodland as much. The grounds have a series of grottoes, temples and other "enhancements" dotted through them. There are also a series of lakes. The views out over the surrounding countryside are stunning. Difficult to believe how much the restoration of Hestercombe has achieved in relatively little time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you love walking around gardens then this is definitely for you. No matter what time of year it always looks beautiful and if you get a chance visit each season as you will notice things you haven't before. Hestercombe also do various shows/displays and craft fairs throughout the year. A definite must.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a restoration destination. Rescued by determined volunteers it is now managed to sustain and maintain. The house, like many of its type, has little interest internally. It is the style and setting that pleases the eye!
The formal terraces fronting the house are open to wander. Peaceful and tasteful. The rear garden is completely different. Lakes, wandering paths, waterfalls, scattered structures and wonderful trees.
There are better gardens and houses but Hestercombe has an intimacy that is difficult to define.
The formal terraces fronting the house are open to wander. Peaceful and tasteful. The rear garden is completely different. Lakes, wandering paths, waterfalls, scattered structures and wonderful trees.
There are better gardens and houses but Hestercombe has an intimacy that is difficult to define.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is very much landscape gardening with formal terraces rather than lots of 'pretty' flowers, and a delight. It's not the cheapest - either entry or cafe - but just glorious. We'll be back, no question - and it's genuinely dog friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I spend the best part of a day here and we made sure we saw everything. The landscape gardens are lovely but if you are limited for time I suspect you will not want to head to the far end of the landscape as it is largely wilderness. The follies are interesting and some of them have georgeous vistas. In other places the trees have overgrown and the vistas are cut off. The highlight is the Lutyens and Jekyll garden at the front of the house which is in full flower at the moment. You can spend an hour in just this small space as the garden structure, planting and the way the design has been incorporated into the landscape is just sublime - you just want to take loads of photos. The Lutyens orangery is wonderful as well. Make sure you see the video in the dynamo house. It is such a shame such a magnificent garden only looks good if you view it from the house - the other way is spoilt by what must be one of the ugliest buildings in all of Somerset. There is not much to see within the house. The cafe at the entrance is good for coffee and cake but the lunches were rather expensive for the portion size and quality.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had a great time at Hestercombe, spent several hours wandering around the gardens and woodland, the views and vistas as you walk round are stunning.
Had lovely cakes and coffee in the cafe.
Would recommend these gardens to anybody
Had lovely cakes and coffee in the cafe.
Would recommend these gardens to anybody
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The formal gardens at Hestercombe are simply stunning. When we were there they were in full bloom with peonies, delphiniums, and roses in full bloom. The landscape park is also very charming and inviting with a number of follies located throughout the park. We visited 46 gardens on our trip and this one is in the top 5. If you are a gardener or garden lover, this is a must see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stunning formal gardens, wonderful views beyond and lovely woodland walks around.
House disappointing - lovely entrance hall and staircase then disappointing there after! Venue for art exhibitions, unfortunately we went to a particularly disappointing one! Better luck next time hopefully - gardens well worth revisiting in another season too. Shop and cafe very pleasant and good plant selection.
House disappointing - lovely entrance hall and staircase then disappointing there after! Venue for art exhibitions, unfortunately we went to a particularly disappointing one! Better luck next time hopefully - gardens well worth revisiting in another season too. Shop and cafe very pleasant and good plant selection.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is like Manor House with lots of gardens. You must pay to walk around. The kids loved the small stream that runs around the grounds, we enjoyed a nice picnic. Spent about 4 hours here and still more to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The hard landscaping by Lutyens makes this formal garden outstanding. We probably caught this garden at just the right time, with all the roses out in full bloom. There are three seasonal plantings in the formal garden, it would be interesting to see the garden at different times of the year. We visited Hestercombe enroute from Devon to Berkshire so our time was limited. We walked some of the Victorian garden but time did not allow us to see it all. We also did have time for the house although we did enjoy a drink in the courtyard cafe. Despite not seeing everything we felt that we had had value for money.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had my wedding photos here in the beautiful gardens in the millenium year before Hestercombe did weddings but would have loved my wedding here! Lovely walks for families and a great place for many events ice skating and Santa. Halloween spooky time, mums tea time for Mother's Day to name but a few!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visit Hestercombe several times a year as it is ever changing depending on the seasons. Stunning gardens, with incredible views of the vale of Taunton Deane. My grandchildren love the freedom to run, walk and climb. The Cascade waterfall is a particular favourite. It is a great place to meet with friends for a stroll followed by a lovely lunch or coffee and cake! A great shop for gifts and plants next to the cafe! I have yet to try the beautiful new restaurant in the house but it looks lovely for a special occasion. There is an art gallery and 2nd hand book shop in the house too. You'll have great time!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great this time of year.Has great potential but not as good as it could be for wild life.Quite dead in the winter.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe gardens are a great place for walks, in both formal and informal settings. The restaurant and cafe are good eating places and there is a sweet little shop. My favourite thing is also to visit the second hand bookshop in the main house - lts of good stuff and as its manned by volunteers, all the money goes to keep the place restored.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful place exactly halfway (90 mins )between my Devon friend and I.
The kids just love it ! The lawns, the lake , the exploring !
They particularly love the very well stocked shop.
On Sat we prepared to have a picnic with our very well behaved 4,7,8 and 10 year olds. Litter bags at the ready !
Some very rude middle aged woman and her daughter took it upon themselves to tell us not to disturb the stone work on the floor of some water features which were dry.
The childrens ' feet didn't even reach !!!
They said we shouldn't picnic due to litter !
We would NEVER drop litter !
We pointed out there were no signs .
The place was almost deserted on a Saturday . In my opinion these busy bodies are doing more harm than good !
Wonderful book shop and we will return in spite of the pompous volunteers / visitors !
The kids just love it ! The lawns, the lake , the exploring !
They particularly love the very well stocked shop.
On Sat we prepared to have a picnic with our very well behaved 4,7,8 and 10 year olds. Litter bags at the ready !
Some very rude middle aged woman and her daughter took it upon themselves to tell us not to disturb the stone work on the floor of some water features which were dry.
The childrens ' feet didn't even reach !!!
They said we shouldn't picnic due to litter !
We would NEVER drop litter !
We pointed out there were no signs .
The place was almost deserted on a Saturday . In my opinion these busy bodies are doing more harm than good !
Wonderful book shop and we will return in spite of the pompous volunteers / visitors !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Hestercombe as part of a package with an overnight stay at the castle hotel in Taunton,which as previously mentioned in my review of the hotel was a gift so I am unable to say whether it is value for money. As reviewed by others the gardens were overgrown but they are woodlands and the paths are clear. The formal gardens are laid out lovely but lack colour, just blues and silver. For the time of year we expected to see a variety of colour. As other reviewers have remarked the house is a wasted visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were looking for an open garden with pleasant walks and nice house. The Gardens were a real pleasure being both open woodland and formal garden.
The slight let down is the house, which after being used by the fire service is in a poor state of repair. If you are into Modern Art you will enjoy the artwork on display throughout the house. Sorry this was not quite my cup of tea so cannot give a fair review on this artwork.
The slight let down is the house, which after being used by the fire service is in a poor state of repair. If you are into Modern Art you will enjoy the artwork on display throughout the house. Sorry this was not quite my cup of tea so cannot give a fair review on this artwork.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I enjoy coming here with my four year old son. The views across the surrounding countryside are outstanding. The landscaping of the gardens with the valley and pond are so beautiful. It's worth having an annual membership to enjoy the gardens throughout the seasons.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is one of the loveliest of gardens I've visited. My three year old loved the water all over the place - ponds, little streams, the occasional puddle - and the flowers were stunning. The house isn't fantastic, but that's not why you go to Hestercombe, you go for the gardens, and they were stunning. Handy that they're a member of the HHA so, as Friends of the HHA, our entry was free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really beautiful garden with a good variety of interesting scenery and features including lakes and a high waterfall. Some formal gardens as well and an excellent cafe, gift shop and plant sales. It's a bit steep in places but plenty to see on the flat and mobility scooters areavilable fo hire apparently. Extra treat was a seeing wedding reception. NB They they no longer take the Tesco days out vouchers - since December 2015 so maybe a bit expensive for .a quick visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Some parts are excellent but others were a bit disappointing. It's not made clear that you don't have to pay the higher Gift Aid price and may feel awkward just offering the lower price.
You are given a very good map/guide which has all the paths and is easy to follow. Some of these paths behind the house in the Georgian Landscape Garden are steep and being gravelly can be slippery. You do though, gave a choice of routes to take - long or short. Several of us came 11 years and thought it now more overgrown and lacking in interest.
The Watermill was new to us. It would have been helpful to have some notices explaining what all the exhibits were.
The Edwardian Formal Garden was looking a bit tired with a drab colour scheme but the Pergola was as good as ever. The rills were filled with a rampant lily, they used to be clear of plants and just had water which made them stand out more.
The house still has an institutional feel, not surprising given its long history as the Somerset Fire Service HQ but there are some grand rooms on the ground floor. The current art exhibition was not to our taste but the second hand bookshop was a real gem and many of us bought books.
The other gem was the Stables Kitchen Cafe. Lots of seats, inside or out, but under cover. The food is delicious and anyone who can resist their array of cakes deserves a medal. The lunches were very good and were highly recommended.
I get the impression that the Trust is working as hard as it can with the resources it has. They have a mammoth task, 50 acres of ground and a huge house to maintain. It is worth supporting so do go.
You are given a very good map/guide which has all the paths and is easy to follow. Some of these paths behind the house in the Georgian Landscape Garden are steep and being gravelly can be slippery. You do though, gave a choice of routes to take - long or short. Several of us came 11 years and thought it now more overgrown and lacking in interest.
The Watermill was new to us. It would have been helpful to have some notices explaining what all the exhibits were.
The Edwardian Formal Garden was looking a bit tired with a drab colour scheme but the Pergola was as good as ever. The rills were filled with a rampant lily, they used to be clear of plants and just had water which made them stand out more.
The house still has an institutional feel, not surprising given its long history as the Somerset Fire Service HQ but there are some grand rooms on the ground floor. The current art exhibition was not to our taste but the second hand bookshop was a real gem and many of us bought books.
The other gem was the Stables Kitchen Cafe. Lots of seats, inside or out, but under cover. The food is delicious and anyone who can resist their array of cakes deserves a medal. The lunches were very good and were highly recommended.
I get the impression that the Trust is working as hard as it can with the resources it has. They have a mammoth task, 50 acres of ground and a huge house to maintain. It is worth supporting so do go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
