Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
Second time at Hestercombe and again bowled over by the utter beauty of the formal garden with its architecture, water features, trees and plants. A delight for anyone who is a fan of Gertrude Jekyll gardens. The park offers a variety of walks, with some readily accessible for those with mobility issues. Friendly, helpful staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live quite close to this garden, so took out an annual subscription. We love the gardens, views and my daughter gets quizzes to do, while you are going around. We both liked going last year. They put a lot of events on, like a spooky walk at Halloween, father Christmas in a grotto, they had ice rink and craft fairs. All set in this beautiful setting. Take a camara, there is some lovely vantage points to get good photos
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a morning walking around the grounds . Well maintained and a lot of colour. Fantastic views from high vantage points. Lovely bluebell walk
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens here are lovely, as was the weather for our visit. I found it all rather expensive: entrance for two adults with lunch (quite nice) came to £43 - and this was in the first fifteen minutes. Nonetheless, the long walk is very good and the Jekyll planting in the more formal gardens is exquisite. My four year old grandaughter found lots of running spaces and lots of newts at which to marvel. The volunteers are working wonders at the weeding - bravo!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Today my husband and I visited Hestercombe for the first time. It was a glorious bank holiday Monday and the weather was certainly on our side. Having never visited we found the lady on reception really helpful, showing us the various areas on the map and helping to guide our visit.
We arrived at lunchtime and started with the cafe (I think it was called the stables). It was busy, but then it was a bank holiday! The food was delicious, very fresh tasting and arrived quickly. I had the quiche of the day (goats cheese and asparagus), which was beautiful and a much larger portion than I expected. My husband had the beef brisket and onion baguette which was also very tasty.
After lunch we spent a good few hours exploring the grounds and soaking in the beautiful views. We were there a total of 3 hours, but we could have easily stayed longer. Will definitely be back to visit again.
We arrived at lunchtime and started with the cafe (I think it was called the stables). It was busy, but then it was a bank holiday! The food was delicious, very fresh tasting and arrived quickly. I had the quiche of the day (goats cheese and asparagus), which was beautiful and a much larger portion than I expected. My husband had the beef brisket and onion baguette which was also very tasty.
After lunch we spent a good few hours exploring the grounds and soaking in the beautiful views. We were there a total of 3 hours, but we could have easily stayed longer. Will definitely be back to visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We literally stumbled on this place, whilst camping just outside of Taunton and searching Tripadvisor for things to do..... So glad we did. We absolutely loved it. Beautiful doesn't begin to cover it. Nature cross man made to perfection. Brilliant day out for walkers, families, doggie people, couples or anyone who wants to have a beautiful relaxing day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had an amazing pamper morning at THE LAVENDER ROOMS for my daughters wedding ... She had an amazing day and looked soo beautiful ...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Always something new to see at hestocombe. Beautiful formal gardens in front of the house then and real contrast in the wooded valley. Relaxing walk with my dog and family. Lovely benches for a picnic or have a light lunch in the cafe. What a wonderful setting for a wedding, we watched the guests arrive then the beautiful bride. This was the best day of the whole summer. Need to buy a year ticket to watch the seasons change throughout the year . Definitely worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a lovely setting at hestercombe. Beautiful gardens. And a lovely little restaurant which served delicious cream teas. Worth a visit just for that!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We chose Hestercombe over the National Trust Killerton property as dogs were allowed in the grounds, formal gardens and inside the Stables cafe and we were glad we did. It's a lovely place, we enjoyed our walk round the extensive wooded grounds which took us just over an hour and a hour at a fairly quick pace and we then enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the cafe followed by a visit to the formal gardens which we particularly liked. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful. I see that other reviwers think that the £11 entrance fee is expensive but this is an independent charity and there must be quite substantial upkeep costs. Would recommend Hestercombe for a day out if in the area - it's well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovley grounds. Setting beautuful. Ideal on a sunny to give best impression of this place.
Funny place to find as u feel like ur out in middle of now where and feel like ur lost but worth it in end.
Funny place to find as u feel like ur out in middle of now where and feel like ur lost but worth it in end.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Pretty gardens in various sections. One part is formal with terraces. Another is part is landscape garden laid out around a lake. Good tearooms in the stable block. Also a house but it is mainly a modern art gallery which is not my preference. Good for a nice walk and a cup of tea. Free if you have HHA membership.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a beautiful, relaxing place to visit, lovingly cared for whilst retaining a semi-wild sense to it. With nice cafe and restaurant it should suit any visitor and how ncie to find a dog-ftriendly location as well. We were so pleased we signed up for an annual pass and got 25% off for using direct debit, making this excellent value for money
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
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
