Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
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
We were pleasantly surprised that the house is now open although it is a work in progress. The walk through the valley is much improved and enjoyable and the main gardens beautifully kept. Particularly impressed with the quality of the food in the cafe. An enjoyable afternoon and well worth a visit especially on a warm sunny day.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely day out with our three year old. She loved helping answer the questions and finding the eggs. Prizes at the end were good and she is waiting for her sunflower sweet to sprout.
Definitely worth going and now considering membership 😊
Definitely worth going and now considering membership 😊
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We love coming here so much we became members for the year. Perfect for kids, great cafe and reasonably priced plants compared to garden centres!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to walk and enjoy a light bite, food good, gardens great but the weather didn't play ball. Service good. Food offerings fresh and local. All four of us were very happy
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A hidden gem just outside Taunton ! Lovely walks through the gardens with some stunning views . Nice little courtyard cafe with fantastic cream teas and a very good selection of food .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Living locally we often visit and are never disappointed the scenery changes through the seasons and is always beautiful. The café provides a good range of tasty treats the cream tea is divine.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here for my husbands birthday with a couple of friends, although it was a cold day it was still very much an enjoyable place, the gardens change with the seasons so it's not a one off place to go to with plenty to see you could walk all day and friendly dogs with leads welcome which is nice for a family day out,it also had little electric buggies for those less able to walk which means noone feels left out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a really popular place to visit, a little expensive for a day visitor, an annual membership is good value for returning visitors. The gardens and house are well worth spending the whole there and the resurant has a good selection of refreshments.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy parking, good cafe and toilets..Short or longer walks available.Gallery shut but worth a visit when open.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We two and a group of friends meet up at Hestercombe House every now and again, usually between16 and 20 of us. We have lunch and then take a walk around the gardens. There is always a nice selection of food for lunch, catering for all needs. That we choose to do this every now and again would indicate that we feel we get good value for money for the food and drink. However, it does cost to get into the gardens, I think that it is £5 or more per person, I do not feel that represents good value. I am a member of Hestercombe House and gardens so do not have to pay to walk in the gardens apart from the annual membership. Go for the meal and then walk it off in the lovely Quantock hills close by.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you like to walk in beautiful surroundings, formal and informal and then relax with a coffee or pleasant meal then this is an ideal place to visit. Every time I go I pop into the book shop in the main house which always has a wide range of all sorts of 'loved before' books at very sensible prices. Entrance payment and the bookshop are the main ways of restoration and upkeep - for best value if you are likely to visit several times, get an annual membership.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
While wandering round the gardens was a pleasant way to spend half a day, I don't think they justify the £11 per adult entrance fee. I should caveat that with the fact that we didn't make it into the house but the gardens themselves weren't anything to write home about - I've certainly visited a lot better. Perhaps we visited at the wrong time of year but if so, they should consider revising their pricing when there isn't a great deal to see.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
