Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
beautiful gardens ,particular interest was the Jekyll Garden, absolutely stunning.
Nice tea shop with lovely cakes and a good range of gifts for sale.
Nice tea shop with lovely cakes and a good range of gifts for sale.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited these garden's at all times of the year, Many times, it has something for everyone History - Views - peace - Nature - Pond's - Lake's - waterfall's - Plant sales - Nice Tea and Gift shop, The only reason I gave it a rating of four is price, if it was a little cheaper we would go more often,
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice garden and estate walks (watch out for the grumpy swan). Rather expensive for what it is though.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Hestercombe during the first week in May on a beautiful clear sunny day and it couldn't have been better, besides lots of flowers in the borders the woods were full of bluebells and looked stunning. The views from various vantage points across the countryside were amazing. We had lunch in the courtyard and although we had to wait 20 minutes for our meals all four of us were pleased with our choices.
A very enjoyable visit.
A very enjoyable visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent a glorious day here in the sunshine. The formal gardens are beautiful, the woodlands glorious. The staff were all very friendly and helpful too. Well worth a visit if you are in the area, allow yourselves the whole day, you will have no trouble filling in the time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent all day here with a friend and my 2 year old son. Nice little play area on the way in. The gardens are great for a toddler. Lots to look at, interesting follys and cascades. Stamps to collect for older children.
We took a picnic, the menu in the cafe looked very nice (but pricey).
We didn't take the pushchair but it would be really easy if you require one.
Lots of reviews say it's expensive. Under 5's are free (which is quite a generous age compared to other places). We bought our tickets online and opted not to do the additional donation and it was £8.50 per adult. Not bad for a whole day out.
We will be going back.
We took a picnic, the menu in the cafe looked very nice (but pricey).
We didn't take the pushchair but it would be really easy if you require one.
Lots of reviews say it's expensive. Under 5's are free (which is quite a generous age compared to other places). We bought our tickets online and opted not to do the additional donation and it was £8.50 per adult. Not bad for a whole day out.
We will be going back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took two of my grown-up children to Hestercombe with our two well-behaved small dogs. The offspring were keen to revisit a place they had gone to when they were very young and hadn't been back to for at least ten years.
The price of a walk round the garden was £11 each - so we ended up paying £33 for what amounted to a half hour walk! Yes, we could have walked away and gone for a walk somewhere else, but having set out for Hestercombe we decided to pay up and see how things had changed.
The gardens are interesting, and beautifully maintained, but in no way was it worth that kind of money. The lady at the desk told us we could buy some kind of season ticket but we're not able to go regularly enough to justify that. In the end, the thought of the price rather stifled the pleasure of the gardens.
The second irritation was that dogs had to be kept on leads. In the formal garden this is understandable. But in the woods? The dogs had a VERY BORING walk and the whole thing was pretty frustrating!
Probably great for families with very small children and rich people who hate dogs - otherwise, I wouldn't bother going back!
The price of a walk round the garden was £11 each - so we ended up paying £33 for what amounted to a half hour walk! Yes, we could have walked away and gone for a walk somewhere else, but having set out for Hestercombe we decided to pay up and see how things had changed.
The gardens are interesting, and beautifully maintained, but in no way was it worth that kind of money. The lady at the desk told us we could buy some kind of season ticket but we're not able to go regularly enough to justify that. In the end, the thought of the price rather stifled the pleasure of the gardens.
The second irritation was that dogs had to be kept on leads. In the formal garden this is understandable. But in the woods? The dogs had a VERY BORING walk and the whole thing was pretty frustrating!
Probably great for families with very small children and rich people who hate dogs - otherwise, I wouldn't bother going back!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to Hestercombe many times over the years and it never fails to delight. There is also a beautiful room which is available for private functions at a very reasonable cost for people who would like somewhere a little special for an important occasion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We walked around the entire gardens but the highlight is the gardens surrounding the house & orangery. The garden styles were very varied with an excellent mixture of plants & colour!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely setting, pretty gardens, Would love to return and see the roses on flower. Great walk. Shame the water cascade not on, but a good day out. Nice coffee shop too !!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place to visit with a nice little cafe, plant shop and a well stocked second hand book shop. However, it's not a cheap outing with a family.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is a real Gem, it just gets better and better. I moved from Surrey and I spent many hours at Wisley. In time this place will be as popular and whilst not RHS it will I'm sure in time command similar respect. The house continues to develop and the Gardens are going from strength to strength
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I frequently visit Hestercombe, I love it. It's always tranquil and there is always something new to see as the seasons change. You can do as little or as much as you chose, take a picnic to eat in the grounds or the cafe is very good (not great for vegans though if you give them enough notice they will put something together, even if it does seem to be stressful for them. It was a problem at a wedding I attended so you might want to play safe and take a picnic)
They put on a number of events across the year though these aren't financially accessible to many. Membership rates are good value though if you're a frequent attender.
They put on a number of events across the year though these aren't financially accessible to many. Membership rates are good value though if you're a frequent attender.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely garden walks. All ages and abilities can explore and enjoy. Garden trails available for children, and dogs allowed on a lead. My family always has fun here, so much so we have become members.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great to visit almost all year around. Lots to find out about and beautiful gardens and interesting plants.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Superbly Stunning Location, I'd not visited before due to my disability, but I will shortly be purchasing a yearly membership... The gardens are amazing, Philip and the team have done some incredible things at Hestercombe. So peaceful and relaxing, it's a place to be experienced.
We were there to complete the Taunton Mayor's official portrait, and we loved the simply superb backgrounds available, like the formal gardens, the lakes and the bluebell walk.
Plenty of events throughout the year, disabled parking and you can hire a 4x4 tramper mobility scooter for £4 which will allow you to get to most areas of the gardens.. but worth booking ahead as it's quite popular. I would add it is suitable for most mobility scooters
We were there to complete the Taunton Mayor's official portrait, and we loved the simply superb backgrounds available, like the formal gardens, the lakes and the bluebell walk.
Plenty of events throughout the year, disabled parking and you can hire a 4x4 tramper mobility scooter for £4 which will allow you to get to most areas of the gardens.. but worth booking ahead as it's quite popular. I would add it is suitable for most mobility scooters
Source: google.com
We have become members of this beautiful trust restored garden. It never ceases to be a joy to visit. I wouldn't rave about the food in either the cafe or the restaurant but the whole ambiance of the place is exceptional and well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We cycled here from home in Taunton and were very pleased to find a cycle rack in the car park. Spent a lovely few hours wandering around the gardens in beautiful spring weather. The flowers weren't out in the landscaped garden but it was still very pretty and great to walk around - there is plenty to see throughout the grounds. There are some easier, wider and flatter trails as well as some more challenging paths which are clearly signed. We had a picnic in what seemed like a good picnic area as there were about six picnic benches together by the water. However, there was no bin, and a friend of ours has since told us that you're not allowed to picnic - no one said anything to us at the time and of course we took our rubbish with us. We popped into the house to look at the exhibition and the book shop and then finished our visit with a nice slice of cake in the cafe which was pricey but nice. We enjoyed it so much we decided to become members - definitely worth it if you intend on going back, especially with a joint membership and the discount from paying by direct debit (the price comes out at cheaper than two adults for two visits and your first visit is refunded). We look forward to going back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Gorgeous grounds with long walks, lots of secluded areas to sit and relax. Waterfalls, trees, formal gardens, lakes, views.
Not cheap to get in, but the yearly pass makes it great value if you are able to visit a few times.
Not cheap to get in, but the yearly pass makes it great value if you are able to visit a few times.
Source: google.com
Have been here many times and its always a joy to walk round these lovingly restored gardens.
There always seems to be something different to see and never seems so busy that you can't find a quiet spot to sit in and take in the atmosphere.
There's a lovely, well stocked shop and tea room and a small play area for younger children.
Well worth a visit.
There always seems to be something different to see and never seems so busy that you can't find a quiet spot to sit in and take in the atmosphere.
There's a lovely, well stocked shop and tea room and a small play area for younger children.
Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was there many times, a few more time I should remember every trees, so it is what made it famous, the trees. Of course walking along the water is so relax and so indescribable fun...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very nice setting and great catering
The gardens are lovely any time of year and need sufficient time to enjoy them
Plenty of room for parking
The gardens are lovely any time of year and need sufficient time to enjoy them
Plenty of room for parking
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens are lovely and there are pleasant walks and vistas. However the house is obviously work in progress and the restaurant looked expensive for what it was. Whilst I appreciate the need to make money, I felt £11 per adult was on the high side. The exhibition in the house was a mess.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We arrived in time for a nice light lunch, I had a cream tea and my wife had coffee and a cake. The formal gardens are well kept although not fully out in early April. The lake side walks were stunning with loads of daffodils and stunning views plus sufficient seating to allow us to stop and admire the views. There was a good selection of good value books in the second hand book shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The food was nice and fresh and the service was really good, would definitely recommend to friends and family
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
