Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
As a family we enjoyed a great Christmas Eve at Hestercombe. Skating, winter wonderland illuminated sculpture trail and hot chocolate at the stables cafe. A real festive treat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love this place! Beautiful gardens and a great place to eat. The history of it is interesting as well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
These gardens just keep getting better. There is always something to see at Hestercombe and the place is getting better every visit.
Today I took family members and my Chocolate Labrador for a walk around the gardens which are just wonderful The family and dog weren't bad either!. No walk at Hestercombe could be complete without Tea and Cake which was served with a smile by the catering staff.
Walking in late afternoon was good so that I could see the Blackdown Quantocks and Brendon hills from the top of the gardens as the sun sets.
Bonus today as the Skating Rink was in action.
Great place to keep coming back to.
Today I took family members and my Chocolate Labrador for a walk around the gardens which are just wonderful The family and dog weren't bad either!. No walk at Hestercombe could be complete without Tea and Cake which was served with a smile by the catering staff.
Walking in late afternoon was good so that I could see the Blackdown Quantocks and Brendon hills from the top of the gardens as the sun sets.
Bonus today as the Skating Rink was in action.
Great place to keep coming back to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe is a hidden diamond in Taunton being only a few minutes drive its tranquil and serine with a timeless appeal
The walls and walkways make it a mixture of formal and informal gardens and woodlands which are a treat anytime of the year. with toilets and refreshments its the ideal family walk especially for those not so sure footed
The walls and walkways make it a mixture of formal and informal gardens and woodlands which are a treat anytime of the year. with toilets and refreshments its the ideal family walk especially for those not so sure footed
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great example of a Victorian Manor's garden with great walksand many interesting features. FAB in Spring too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I Visted hestercombe with my partner, mother, sister, daughter and friend. I thought it was fantastic wonderland for all the family to enjoy! My daughter loved all the lite up trees and the fact Santa waved at us from his magical grotto. The art work was fantastic I especially enjoyed the Christmas wall with the lights shining through the glass, a beautiful installation all in all a wonderful evening! It would be lovely if next year there was more art installations on the trail round other than that a perfect family Christmas event!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We came on the Saturday before Christmas to walk around the gardens, and it was magical. There are delicately-lit trees and a 'secret pathway' of sculptures by local artists. Behind the gorgeous illuminated wall, which had gold leaf and images of angels and other characters, was a swan, swimming on the lake, its body illuminated by the colourful lights, and the journey along the path was similarly dream-like, little moments of warmth and colour amongst the dark winter evening. Afterwards we had a hot chocolate in the ice-skating tent, cosy and warming! Father Christmas waved at us from his window on the hill, and I felt like a child again! I think it's an absolutely lovely idea, and they should extend the idea next year, and have more artists' installations involved. This is not London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, this is deep dark winter magic!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely płace to relax but hardly entertaining if you have children. Please do something about it.
Source: google.com
We visited in the late afternoon with our two boys to combine Father Christmas with the lit up garden. The whole Father Christmas experience was a bit underwhelming as we had to wait under a plain gazebo until the 'elf' came to collect us. There was much walkie talkie communication which knocked the magic a bit. The little building he was in was quite cute with a real fire, but it was a shame that the children had to pick their own presents out of the boxes - this always seems a rather cold way to do it.
While waiting for it to get dark we had tea and cake. The cakes are very good with quite decent portions, but it does seem a bit pricy, although we were lucky enough to get a warm place to sit.
The lit garden was pretty, but a bit lacking in drama. They should light up some bigger trees and distant vistas rather than just individual bushes.
We probably wouldn't come here for a festive event again as it was all a bit lacking in atmosphere - shame, because it's lovely in the summer.
While waiting for it to get dark we had tea and cake. The cakes are very good with quite decent portions, but it does seem a bit pricy, although we were lucky enough to get a warm place to sit.
The lit garden was pretty, but a bit lacking in drama. They should light up some bigger trees and distant vistas rather than just individual bushes.
We probably wouldn't come here for a festive event again as it was all a bit lacking in atmosphere - shame, because it's lovely in the summer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to go, walk explore, splendid and varied gardens but cafe cold and drayghty and overpriced. Particularly enjoyed a Son et Lumière evening a year ago but again The Great Hall was cold despite wearing outdoor clothing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really good place to visit any time of day, the restaurant is good value and well priced. Food mostly home produced and good quality.
Entry price is good value if you make it a longer stay and enjoy all the house and gardens
Entry price is good value if you make it a longer stay and enjoy all the house and gardens
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely place to visit! Have been around 5 times and enjoyed every visit. Staff are always welcoming and willing to help. Although sometimes it can be busy once you are walking around you never seem to bump in to many people. There are always events on like the Halloween quest that has been on in previous years which is great for the children of the family, and also ice skating and different events at Christmas. It is great to see in all seasons as things change. Throughly recommend a visit, you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe Gardens is a wonderful place to visit throughout the year. I first visited early in the year with the spring bulbs all in flower. Set in large, impressive grounds with streams, waterfalls and lakes along woodland walks, formal and terrace gardens, they look different each season. There are also lovely views to enjoy across Taunton Vale. Hestercombe House with it's stunning ceilings and decor is home to an art gallery, tea room and HCYM (Hestercombe Centre For Young Musicians). Near to the house is a watermill and exhibition, shop and restaurant. On our recent visit a few days ago, there was a Christmas Market taking place with some of the best local food and gifts on offer. We enjoyed a lunch in the restaurant with good food at a reasonable price. With an outdoor play area, everyone can enjoy the day with events taking place all year round.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited Hestercombe Gardens a couple of times and were very impressed on both occasions. The gardens and surrounding grounds are beautiful with such lovely views, worth seeing in every season. We had a two course Sunday lunch in the cafe on one visit and it was very nice. Would indefinitely repeat the experience!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe has been transformed over the years and is now stunning. A lovely day out for all the family
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You can get a day ticket or a family pass which is what I have we go most months for a fabulous walk around the woods and the formal gardens, lots of wildlife to spot, there is a beautiful waterfall, lots of little huts dotted around there is even a water mill. The food is fabulous too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely walk around 2 separate areas - woodland with small lake and formal gardens - the house also is another added interest
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have just been on a scary Halloween tour of Hestercombe House. It was fantastic. Took my two boys aged 8 and 11, plus one grandma! Was too much for the 8 year old who left after seeing one of the zombies hanging in the tower come to lift, accompanied by nervous grandmother! For me and the 11 year old it was pretty scary with the zombies in the music room and television room, and the dead coming alive in the graveyard with all the smoke. The only thing I would say is that sometimes it was a bit too dark to actually see what or who was frightening us! Also because of the steps down to the basement I would have worried about my 79 year old mother if she had completed the tour. We have been on various scary tours before mainly in National Trust premises but this was far superior. We will definitely book again for next year. Well done Hestercombe!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took my 16yr old daughter to this last night for the 10pm tour not knowing what to expect and it was really good! I thought £15 each was a bit pricey as it's less than that to get into Wookey hole for the day but the overall experience made it worth it and it was a great Halloween treat.
When you arrive you follow candles to the house which was lit up purple and it certainly looked the part for a Spooky tour. There are games in the hall and scary music blasting out while you wait. The terror tour itself is absolutely brilliant fun. In the dark, up and down lots of stairs, through rooms, outside, inside again all the while trying to avoid the lurking zombie types. It's like being in a film with plenty of screaming and hand clutching and grabbing onto strangers arms but all the while having the laugh of a lifetime. It's definitely not for young children but older teenagers and adults will love it.
Afterwards we were given chips and a hot dog - pretty rubbish quality but you can eat it in the grand dining hall and it's a good way to end the tour and talk about all the bits that made you screech!
The staff were all friendly and helpful and the tour 'actors' were great too. My daughter and I would definitely do this tour again.
When you arrive you follow candles to the house which was lit up purple and it certainly looked the part for a Spooky tour. There are games in the hall and scary music blasting out while you wait. The terror tour itself is absolutely brilliant fun. In the dark, up and down lots of stairs, through rooms, outside, inside again all the while trying to avoid the lurking zombie types. It's like being in a film with plenty of screaming and hand clutching and grabbing onto strangers arms but all the while having the laugh of a lifetime. It's definitely not for young children but older teenagers and adults will love it.
Afterwards we were given chips and a hot dog - pretty rubbish quality but you can eat it in the grand dining hall and it's a good way to end the tour and talk about all the bits that made you screech!
The staff were all friendly and helpful and the tour 'actors' were great too. My daughter and I would definitely do this tour again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Definitely glad I became a member . Myself and my children love there ..The Halloween tour this year was worth every penny ...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I have been members here for years but have now stopped. We think the admission charges are too high and the management need to look after long standing members more carefully We have passed on ideas to the staff but this has made no evident difference. We get much more value from National Trust membership and won't be renewing our membership.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A walk around the wooded footpaths is a pleasant experience, and the small formal gardens are very nice....... There are numerous ponds but no sign of any fish..... People like looking at fish!
The house looks like a 19th century asylum with only a couple of bare stuffy rooms open to the public. There is a smart restaurant in the main house, but at £14.95 for a fancy high tea, it wasn't surprising that it was empty! The cafe in the old stable block is nice and a lot cheaper.
The owners, should open some rooms up to give visitors a taste of the estate's history...... The yanks were stationed there in the war, Eisenhower visited and a Junkers bomber crash landed on the drive.
Hestercombe is a nice place to visit, but it could be a whole lot more.
The house looks like a 19th century asylum with only a couple of bare stuffy rooms open to the public. There is a smart restaurant in the main house, but at £14.95 for a fancy high tea, it wasn't surprising that it was empty! The cafe in the old stable block is nice and a lot cheaper.
The owners, should open some rooms up to give visitors a taste of the estate's history...... The yanks were stationed there in the war, Eisenhower visited and a Junkers bomber crash landed on the drive.
Hestercombe is a nice place to visit, but it could be a whole lot more.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having phoned before visit, was very disappointed at the way we were treated. My husband partially sight but according, to hestercombe your only disabled if in wheelchair. That said we did have pleasant walk round gardens
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had gone to a wedding held at Hestercombe Gardens and it was beautiful!! There are two rooms that they have for weddings but keep the place still open to the public but this didn't effect the wedding. Stunning grounds, i only wish it was raining so we could get to see the whole grounds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful gardens which I never tire of visiting. A restful and relaxing walk around the grounds followed by a cream tea. Lovely. Don't forget your camera!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
