Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
I love these gardens, there are formal ones designed by Gertrude Jekyll and natural landscaped ones. My favourite are the natural landscaped ones, with beautiful views across Taunton from the temple and fun secret houses which includes a witches house, great fun for kids. Also a lovely waterfall. Theres a cafe and shop selling plants and gifts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely way to spend an afternoon walking the gardens and enjoying the stunning views of Taunton and beyond. Suitable for all ages and plenty of places to sit and rest your feet. Once you've done the walk there is a lovely cafe/ resturant to treat yourselves.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well we really enjoyed the gardens here today lots to see and such a fabulous designed garden we had nice weather which helps :) enjoyed the walk in the woods and am not sure about the buildings you come across ?
I felt the materials were to modern on some , the charm was not there which was a shame but overall we liked what we saw .
Now for the bad point 'the house' we were disgusted with what has been done to this amazing building the heart has been ripped out and they have made it into a gallery which is full of weird art which I know some people like but this stuff was inappropriate for children and not a warning in sight .
Shame on you owners of hestercombe I hope the national Trust buy this place and tastefully return this gem to its former glory as clearly you do not care about the history of this once beautiful home .
I felt the materials were to modern on some , the charm was not there which was a shame but overall we liked what we saw .
Now for the bad point 'the house' we were disgusted with what has been done to this amazing building the heart has been ripped out and they have made it into a gallery which is full of weird art which I know some people like but this stuff was inappropriate for children and not a warning in sight .
Shame on you owners of hestercombe I hope the national Trust buy this place and tastefully return this gem to its former glory as clearly you do not care about the history of this once beautiful home .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not particularly cheap,but still great value. Beautiful gardens and superb sandwiches! Looking forward to visiting the art gallery next...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really interesting gardens, wonderful landscape gardening, lots to explore from formal to informal, lakes, grottos, waterfall, paths and nice plant centre. The house was a bit disappointing, but we spent 5 hours exploring the grounds, so a great day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love taking the kids here, it is a great place to bring them as they can run and explore and we can make up fairy tales as we walk around. It is beautiful and the perfect length of walk. We just keep returning and each time have a lovely time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful and tranquil place for anyone. Dog friendly, so long as they are on the lead, And a wonderful wedding venue too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth trying - not cheap but very good lunch and ingredients are fresh - certainly recommend the pulled pork baguette
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is a 'must visit' garden. Never disappointing and always interesting and beautiful. Our most recent visit, in early spring, provided the opportunity to walk in woods carpeted in bluebells and other wildflowers, and view butterflies in the valley of the old landscaped gardens. It was also good to enjoy the structure of the formal Jekyll/Lutyens garden, even though there were few flowers in bloom. The views from the gardens to the Vale of Taunton are superb as always. A highly recommended visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Overall the grounds are well kept, some exhibitions are rather weak with limited access to the house. Very commercial and expensive visitor/tourist shop
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Since the house opened as an art gallery last year Hestercombe is starting to make its mark as an art venue in the South West. It's a pity that one can't just get entry to the house alone without paying for the gardens but their ambition is strong and we will see what the future holds. The current exhibition in the house 'A personal Passion', works from the Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, runs until 5 July. Well worth visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the house and gardens, with dad in a wheelchair. The staff were helpful from the outset, and we were able to borrow a wheelchair from the ticket desk. The map you get advises what paths are wheelchair accessible but you still need to be quite fit to push on some of the slopes. They will have a motorised ride on chair soon according to a sign at the ticket office. One of the catering staff passing us at a sloping area stopped and gave a helpful push. Food in the restaurant was very good and again staff helpful when we wanted to access the disabled toilet. Flower beds pretty even though early in the season and clematis and choisia in full bloom. With 2 for 1 entry using Gardeners World card and free entry for wheelchair user a very good value day!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you enjoy gardens this is the place for you, but beware......from the entrance fees to the restaurant it can make for an expensive visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
this place is great for peace and quiet walking round the gardens so quiet and relaxing, lovely shop also you can buy plants there from home grown at the centre, the coffee shop does lovely homemade food never been disappointed when i visit there
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Love to go at least 2 times a month as it changes every visit and being interested in photography it fill some of my requirements.
The walks are sometimes steep but a slow climb conquers all.
As a member i don`t really know what it cost`s now.
There is a cafe and a little shop, the cafe can be visited without going in the gardens, the prices in the cafe i think are a little steep and in the morning you can only have cake, but after a walk i would quite like a sandwich, so wait until i get home now. You can take dogs but they must be kept on a lead which is a shame, as long as people take the time to pick up everything stays clean. We did once have to clear up after adults so that says it all.
The walks are sometimes steep but a slow climb conquers all.
As a member i don`t really know what it cost`s now.
There is a cafe and a little shop, the cafe can be visited without going in the gardens, the prices in the cafe i think are a little steep and in the morning you can only have cake, but after a walk i would quite like a sandwich, so wait until i get home now. You can take dogs but they must be kept on a lead which is a shame, as long as people take the time to pick up everything stays clean. We did once have to clear up after adults so that says it all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you like peace and beautiful surroundings this is the ideal place to go. Took the family and the boys (3 and 6 years) loved it to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Gardens themselves are varied. Formal flower displays, beautiful layout the gazebo type area. Further into the gardens are woodland walks withna lovely waterfall, walks, trees etc with many on sizeable pathways. Some irregular paths where pushchairs and wheelchairs not practical but still lots to see.
Warning re facilities. Staff don't inform of 'differences to the norm'. E.g. went on Monday this week. Three cafe facilities marked on map. Found one to be closed as a school party was around. Second cafe closed as not open on Monday's. Entrance staff didn't tell us, and other staff not 'sorry' for any inconvenience, nor helpful. Staff in the only cafe open were not very customer focused. Crockery was dirty and tea for two equates to only one and a half cups each, so not generous and almost £2 per person. No savoury offerings just cake, and more cake. Not even a sandwich out of the noon to 3pm window. National Trust catering is much better.
Would go again as gardens are worth it, but will take a flask of hot tea/coffee and a sandwich and not rely at all on the catering side.
Warning re facilities. Staff don't inform of 'differences to the norm'. E.g. went on Monday this week. Three cafe facilities marked on map. Found one to be closed as a school party was around. Second cafe closed as not open on Monday's. Entrance staff didn't tell us, and other staff not 'sorry' for any inconvenience, nor helpful. Staff in the only cafe open were not very customer focused. Crockery was dirty and tea for two equates to only one and a half cups each, so not generous and almost £2 per person. No savoury offerings just cake, and more cake. Not even a sandwich out of the noon to 3pm window. National Trust catering is much better.
Would go again as gardens are worth it, but will take a flask of hot tea/coffee and a sandwich and not rely at all on the catering side.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a lovely walk around these landscaped gardens (good tracks, a bit steep in one part at the back of the gardens). Saw the lakes and the waterfall. Everything looked great, thought there was evidence of on-going restoration.
Then we went into the formal gardens in front of the house. These are gorgeous, especially in the sun.
There is a cafe on site for when you need a rest!
Then we went into the formal gardens in front of the house. These are gorgeous, especially in the sun.
There is a cafe on site for when you need a rest!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really enjoyed exploring the gardens here on a lovely sunny spring day. Views over the surrounding countryside are wonderful. Sensible walking shoes a "must" for the pathways, some of which are steep.
Food at the cafe delicious, if slightly dear. On the day I visited, the cafe didn't seem to cope too well with a rush when a small coach party arrived, running out of coffee beans and table service really slow.
Food at the cafe delicious, if slightly dear. On the day I visited, the cafe didn't seem to cope too well with a rush when a small coach party arrived, running out of coffee beans and table service really slow.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my elderly 'in-laws' who said they enjoyed it, but I found it rather disappointing. Firstly I thought it was rather expensive to get in and no discount for OAP's. the woodland walks and lakes were good. But when we got to the formal gardens we decided to stop for coffee. We enquired in the house but was told it would probably be too formal for us and were directed to the stable cafeteria. Good coffee etc. was served here by very pleasant staff. But on leaving found we could not get back directly to where we had left our tour but instead had to climb stairs back up to reception and round the block back to more stairs leading down to the house which was not very good for my disabled mother-in-law.
The house itself had various art exhibitions in different rooms some of which were just not for me. I thought after the Fire Brigade had left the house would have been put back to its former glory, depicting its history rather than just a sheet of paper as you went in. The gardens were well laid our but due to the time of year somewhat lacking in colour and some of the water features could have had cleaner water in them and maybe some fish?
The house itself had various art exhibitions in different rooms some of which were just not for me. I thought after the Fire Brigade had left the house would have been put back to its former glory, depicting its history rather than just a sheet of paper as you went in. The gardens were well laid our but due to the time of year somewhat lacking in colour and some of the water features could have had cleaner water in them and maybe some fish?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliant day out for the family .Plenty of space for the children .The flower beds were so colourful just coming into their own shame the daffs had finished but the tulips were coming out in wonderful colours and such different types not always seen
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My first time at Hestercombe, but hopefully not my last. This is not a huge garden, but has many lovely features. I particularly liked all the water: a huge variety of rills, ponds, waterfalls and other water courses. I should imagine the garden would be lovely in summer, but very pretty in early spring. A delicious lunch too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The story of the rediscovery and restoration of these magnificent gardens is heart warming and the result has created one of my favourite places to visit anywhere anytime.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting garden buildings and plenty space to run round. Pretty spring bulbs and views. House not worth looking round
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a glorious sunny day so perhaps 'rose tinted glasses' but sure even on a dull day there would be colour in the gardens. Nothing much at all to see in the house but the displays change so perhaps we were just unlucky with the art exhibition.Cafe is a bit pricey for what is available.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
