My family live locally, are members and visit often, so we went along on a beautifully hot and sunny day.
Started out by having lunch at the Granary restaurant and thought the quality, choice and prices to be ideal for the purpose. Thereafter we spent the nest 2-3 hours walking around the entire site and stopping off to take photos along the way. I know that it's rediscovery was not that long ago and that all works will take some time to achieve, but I like the very fact that it is not over-manicured and precious- feels more real this way. Finished off the day with a large and incredibly well priced Ice Cream. Good choices in the garden centre.

Lots of woodland walks if you are fit and free to do so lots of flowers and Large house with visitors centre history of the place can be found also

Stunning walk and views, I visited here with my family which also involved young children, there are plenty of things to entertain them along the walk, we also stayed for lunch in which there were plenty light lunch options which was also very delicious.
Overall lovely day, and it also helped with the sun out aswell.

The weather was excellent which helped make it a most enjoyable place to visit. The formal gardens are wonderfully looked after, and the lakeside walk really interesting with many interesting features. We had a light lunch in the cafe which was very good and Sunday lunches being served looked as good as or better than many I've been served up in local pubs. It was also good value.

Interesting to see this Lutyens/Jekyll garden (excellent film about its history in mill building) but £9.70 seems a bit steep for what there is to see. £9.70 does include a 90p donation for further development, and you can get 15% reduction if you book tickets on-line (which we found out afterwards!). In comparison Bodnant Garden (wonderful, extensive NT gardens in North Wales) costs non-members £9.50 without gift aid. Formal gardens at Hestercombe very pleasant but some of the planting is a bit dull (lots of Bergenias). Easy walk around the wilder part of the garden but not a lot to see (yet) apart from trees and nettles. The cafe was fine but we didn't visit the house. Weather was glorious on the day of our visit so trip would have been more disappointing on a dull or wet day.

Was holidaying in taunton for the week, and this attraction was recommended by people on the caravan site .
So we decided to try it as it was a beautiful sunny day and only 25min by car from the campsite.
It is a beautiful place, they give you a map of the area and you walk around the gardens.
In different areas you find a different hut or water fall or WWII bunk house.
Lovely easy walk. spend about 2.5 hours walking aound .
we took our dogs with us and they enjoyed the walk and dipping into the pond ,on leads ,as it was so hot .
After we stayed at the cafe/tearoom and had a lovely cream tea .
Would go back again .

The gardens and walks were lovely with "unique" buildings dotted about. However, we thought the lake looked a bit stagnant and some of the roses were in need of "dead heading". Lovely walk around the grounds however, on easy to walk on paths.

As retired people we thought the £9.70 entrance fee was excessive for what was there. There is no concession for the over 60's which is very disappointing considering most of the visitors appeared to be over 60.

The house was very disappointing. Stark, bare floored rooms with just a few art exhibits and some weird items in the rooms - a stile and some farm implements.

Best thing about the house was the second hand bookshop.

Did not use the café as the prices were a little bit expensive.

There seems to be a lack of toilets too. The only ones we came across were before the entrance, and in the café. Did not seem to be any others in the grounds.

I would not go there again. Living locally, it is somewhere I had not been before but I don't think I would go again unless the admission price for over 60's was reduced to maybe around £7.50.

I really enjoyed seeing the stunning gardens at Hestercombe and am rather surprised by some of the negative comments in earlier posts. The formal gardens are some of the loveliest I've ever seen, especially with the backdrop of beautiful countryside and my first sight of the lower terrace was breathtaking. This visit was on a sunny warm day in the height of summer but I would imagine it looks good at other times of year too. The paths round the lake and woodland areas were a pleasant place to wander and enjoy further views. Admittedly my friend and I used a 2 for 1 offer which made the entry price better value but I commented that it would still have been worth the full cost. Cafe prices may not be the cheapest but no worse than other similar venues and we both enjoyed a generous portion of chips priced at just £1.50, bargain. Prices for plants were also quite fair and so for any garden lover I would definitely recommend a visit.

Lovely walks not all flat. Restaurant a bit pricey. Has a shop and a small area where you can buy plants.

This little gem of a estate has had an interesting past but has lost a lot of the elements in the house that would make it of great significance. The gardens and tea rooms are good and the entry cost is worth it when you can spend time in the lovely gardens. The walks are a little challenging compared to some estates but will reward the fitter visitors with stunning views. The walks would be too long for many children; however, the guide shows visitors shorter walks which are just as rewarding. Having opened in May 2014, it is still looking very good after a major restoration. I was not impressed by the modern art exhibit in the house but it will appeal to some.

I took my mum to Hestercombe yesterday for our first visit we had both hoped to go for sometime however having been advised against paying for full price entry because of the size of the gardens had held back however having obtained free tickets we decided to go. Anyhow the weather was perfect and the formal gardens looked stunning (even with the odd flower starting to go over) the views towards Taunton and the Blackdown hills also lovely. Beyond the formal gardens the valley was pretty in a landscaped natural way (no apparent garden flower or shrub planting here which I found unusual) and the waterfall seemed idyllically pretty.

We had lunch in the cafe which was good quality and the price of the sandwiches and panini's was ok but the mains were a little pricey similiar to what you would pay for lunch in a independent restaurant. I am however glad we ate in the cafe as had we of brought a picnic we would not of been able to eat in the gardens as I don't think they allow picnics for some reason inside not sure why though, im guessing litter?! But there is a picnic area near the entrance if needed.

Also they have just aquired the house and were hosting their first exhibitions funded by the Arts Council. The work on display was modern with some pieces by well known artists including Tracy Emin. Personally I found this of interest despite most being relatively small in size as felt it was nice to see contemporary work of this nature in the area and I hope the gallery in time becomes a success.

To sum up I would visit again but not sure if I would want to pay the full entrance price. But with discounts available for online ticket purchase and with a Gardeners world discount card this can be overcome fairly easily.

Please note I am a adult visitor with my mum not a teenager, but there was no suitable category for this type of visit.

The gardens are stunning , and the views from the gardens are beautiful but the high entrance price and the expensive cafe slightly soured our visit . We are pensioners but we still had to pay nearly £10 each to get in and there was no late entry price ( we arrived at 3.30 and it closes at 6 ! ) had we not driven such a long way we would not have gone in. In spite of the high entry price you only receive a leaflet with basic information with a site map, very little information about the history of the house itself or the gardens. You have to buy the guide book if you want to know more .

We have visited Hestercombe at most times of the season. It rarely looks any different. OK, it's a garden museum showing how wonderful the partnership was . The true magnificence of this place is the hard landscaping in the formal garden which provides a superb theatre for exciting planting . So it is right that the Jekyll/ Lutyens partnership should be celebrated.
It is often said that a garden is never completed, that they evolve and develop over time. Who is to say that Gertrude's planting ideas were the best and that the choice of plants could not be bettered? I am beginning to wonder why Gertrude's planting is held in such high regard.
When we visited this week and looked down on the Great Plat we saw the big peonies in full bloom we looked forward to getting up close to savour their scent. It was a fine warm afternoon and the Great Plat was sheltered and trapped the warmth. But the peonies had no perfume whatsoever! What a disappointment! Surely there were perfumed peonies around when she was making her plans ? Some of the roses on the pergola also had no scent - what a waste! And those dreary
Bergenias as an edging! All leaf and hardly any colour. Perhaps they are to blame for sheltering the pests that are damaging the cannas and delphiniums in the centre of the beds? Most colour was provided by mimulus in the rill but was this planted originally or is it an interloper?
Perhaps it is time to review the planting to provide round the year interest that modern day visitors will appreciate ( and satisfy their legitimate expectation for value for money) and to use some more rewarding plants? There. I've said it.
The Landscape garden is as appealing as ever and provides a pleasant walk with interesting design features.
The average rating comes from the overall experience of us as visitors - entrance fees as expensive as Wisley , catering prices on the hefty side, and often a disappointing lack of interest in the garden and some maintenance issues with bindweed and overgrown shrubs.

We were lucky to have a warm sunny day so walking through the gardens both formal and natural was a magical experience, beautiful views of Somerset countryside from the top, and the gardens ... just are wow!

This is the best formal garden I have ever visited designed by Lutyens. There is so much here, so much to see, it's hard to be disappointed. And as a bonus the house has just been opened up to the public too. There's not much there yet, except a contemporary art exhibitiowhich is not yo my taste, but the house retains many original and restored features. An absolute must! Plant prices are reasonable too

Lovely gardens but was quite expensive! It was a relaxing day out and enjoyed very much. Would recommend it if you love gardens

Considering I have lived near here for ages I have not visited before, and last weekend I decided to visit. I took my little boy (2) and I have to say we had a lovely walk taking in all the scenery. Will defiantly be visiting again soon.

Do visit this house and gardens. You could easily spend the whole day here. Much to see outside in the gardens and the exhibitions in the house.

This is the title they give to the beautiful gardens at Hestercombe. It is a delightful mix of informal woodland walks and the formal gardens of the house. Walk high into the hillside woods past the various ponds, cascades and hidden interesting shelters like the witches house. Experience sudden and stunning views of Taunton Vale and follow pathways that lead down to the mill and cafeteria. Treat yourself to delicious coffee and homemade cake, or a tasty hot meal if you wish. The shop is well stocked for souvenirs and lots of plants for the gardeners but don't expect too much from the house. It was only acquired by the Trust last year and only opened to the public this season with a contemporary art exhibition. Not expensive to get in and the price includes a voluntary donation to the Trust. There is plenty of educational value and interest for the children including a live batcam showing the horseshoe bats in the roof. Well worth the visit!

Got married in July 2013 and the staff and service was great, we have been back many times since. We are planning on taking our 8 week old daughter there quite often in the future.

We were lucky to have a warm sunny day so walking through the gardens both formal and natural was a magical experience, beautiful views of Somerset countryside from the top. Wheelchair access paths and fun and games for the kids. Suits all ages of visitor. Well done Hestercombe. Also very good restaurant and gift shop.

A wonderful relaxing end to a walk around beautiful gardens. Great selection of good quality food. Highly recommended for lunch or afternoon tea. Lovely cheerful staff.

My wife and I were members here for one year very nice peacefull place for short walks with nice cafe for snacks and coffee but like another review we found charges very expensive compared to the National trust where we get a concession and far more places to see we think they would do far better if they made prices for membership more affordable.

This is a truly breath taking location, which enables you to wonder aimlessly through numerous habitats, escaping the noise and bustle of a typical day. I spent most time on the bluebell walk, which was stunning.

There is a combination of well tended and designed gardens, as well as wild woodland. This place made me wish that I had a dog to walk here; particularly as dog walkers are made to feel very welcome.

My only criticism is that it is quite expensive; both in terms of an entrance fee, and in the cafe although I can imagine that upkeep of such large grounds isn't cheap! (Also, bathroom facilities are difficult to find in the grounds themselves - I couldn't find them anywhere, and had to leave earlier than planned to use the ones in the cafe area).

I love it here beautiful walks around the gardens and beyond, the restaurant,rant do superb meals and snacks the coffee is excellent and the staff friendly