Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
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
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
