Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
My wife and I arrived and asked for the seniors concessionary price, only to be told that there wasn't one. When I pointed out that the leaflet I had showed it, I was told that had now changed and prices were higher 'to cover work done in opening the house'. But the house doesn't open till later on this month! OK, we're probably only talking about a couple of pounds or so, but they lost my goodwill right there. I heard someone else complaining about the charges afterwards, so I don't think I'm being unreasonable.
Also, as has been mentioned on this site, the entrance fees include a so-called 'voluntary donation' (I would have thought paying the entrance fee was the donation!) and you have to specifically ask if you want it removed. And then they have the cheek to offer a tour for even more extra money!
So, not a good start. The gardens themselves turned out to be very pretty, though I got the impression of a family with too much money 100 years ago hiring a top architect who felt he had to give them their money's worth. So there are all kinds of very artificial additions to the scenery which give the place a sort of theme-park feel at times. Also the guide map is significantly inaccurate in places, making following it difficult at times - does no one check these things? And the door to the Dutch garden was inexplicably locked, making that whole area a dead end with an entrance but no exit.
The cafe was OK though expensive, and I would have thought it would be too small on busy days. Their card machine was not working so I had to pay in cash.
All in all, it was a place worth visiting once but I will not be returning.
Also, as has been mentioned on this site, the entrance fees include a so-called 'voluntary donation' (I would have thought paying the entrance fee was the donation!) and you have to specifically ask if you want it removed. And then they have the cheek to offer a tour for even more extra money!
So, not a good start. The gardens themselves turned out to be very pretty, though I got the impression of a family with too much money 100 years ago hiring a top architect who felt he had to give them their money's worth. So there are all kinds of very artificial additions to the scenery which give the place a sort of theme-park feel at times. Also the guide map is significantly inaccurate in places, making following it difficult at times - does no one check these things? And the door to the Dutch garden was inexplicably locked, making that whole area a dead end with an entrance but no exit.
The cafe was OK though expensive, and I would have thought it would be too small on busy days. Their card machine was not working so I had to pay in cash.
All in all, it was a place worth visiting once but I will not be returning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Taking a group of Scouts in never easy. But our group loved Hestercombe Ice Rink. We hired privately in late evening, over Christmas and we had a great time! The prices were good and fantastic for our money. Just to ourselves with plenty of space to skate, it was magical! The team had set up the rink so Beautifully! With Deer and Snow and a Sleigh it was amazing. There was even a mini Snack hut with warm drinks and snacks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely setting, very good information and guide map. Friendly staff. Restaurant/cafe excellent quality and good value. National Trust look and learn, this is how it should be done
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We loved this garden with it's mixture of the formal and informal. The bluebell wood was something very special and we wiled away a wonderful morning and early afternoon wandering through the gardens. With an excellent tea room for refreshment, we sampled the carrot cake (9/10) and pear and ginger cake (8/10).....with very nice coffee. So if you like a truly lovely garden, with some light walking..(1-2 miles we reckon).then well worth a visit..there were also families enjoying the sunny weather. Also note a very health discount for Caravan Club Members.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the "Stables Kitchen" first to have some lunch, had a quiche with salad which seemed ok (£6.55) but strangely it was served with crisps instead of potatoes (i don't like crisps much but i guess some do). I also ordered a "home made lemon meringue pie" (£4.75) as it's one of my fave deserts BUT what was served simply seemed like a joke - it was a small circular thing about 3" in diameter NOTHING like what I had expected - the curd was runny and acidic and the meringue was runny as well - obviously frozen rather than homemade.
OK I did not primarily visit for the food, it's the gardens which I have visited many times living locally, and I'm lucky to have this "on my doorstep" - I primarily visit for the "informal" part of the gardens which has nice woodland tracks based around a deep wooded valley with a string of lakes at the base. There are nice diversions out of the main wooded valley such as a "folly" ovelooking the vale of Taunton and a separate "bluebell wood". There are probably a good 3 miles of wooded tracks if you followed them all so I generally spend a couple of hours walking round.
Finally grabbed a cup of cofee before leaving and can vouch that they do a good coffee (had a large americano) - they have a proper espresso machine and grind the coffee themselves - I'm very fussy about my coffee and it seemed good.
I will also just mention something to watch out for when paying for entry - they have a "dual price" system with the option to pay a higher price including a 10% donation BUT unless you ask for the standard admission price they will TAKE the 10% "donation" regardless - in my book a "donation" should be offered rather than taken by default.
OK I did not primarily visit for the food, it's the gardens which I have visited many times living locally, and I'm lucky to have this "on my doorstep" - I primarily visit for the "informal" part of the gardens which has nice woodland tracks based around a deep wooded valley with a string of lakes at the base. There are nice diversions out of the main wooded valley such as a "folly" ovelooking the vale of Taunton and a separate "bluebell wood". There are probably a good 3 miles of wooded tracks if you followed them all so I generally spend a couple of hours walking round.
Finally grabbed a cup of cofee before leaving and can vouch that they do a good coffee (had a large americano) - they have a proper espresso machine and grind the coffee themselves - I'm very fussy about my coffee and it seemed good.
I will also just mention something to watch out for when paying for entry - they have a "dual price" system with the option to pay a higher price including a 10% donation BUT unless you ask for the standard admission price they will TAKE the 10% "donation" regardless - in my book a "donation" should be offered rather than taken by default.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The day I visited it was deserted, and I walked round for over an hour before meeting anyone. The gardens are in a valley with steep sides, and make for a decent walk. There is a shop, a good cafe/restaurant where I had a lovely piece of victorian sandwich cake. A good day out.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The value we've had from our membership is unbelievable! We visit at least twice a month & take our dog who is made welcome, the restaurant quality is great with kids options too. Easter trails & other events are included free with membership so there is always something new to do.. Staff are great & to get married there must be axing as it is so beautiful. For real value membership is a must
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens, which have been undergoing major improvements over the years, are amazing for unlocking the imaginations of both adults and children alike. There is enough here to occupy a family for a good two to three hours. There is a wonderful walk which takes you through woods, past a man-made lake and a waterfall, a few follies, ducks and a swan and back down to the formal garden of the house, which is an absolute rose-filled delight in mid-summer. As you walk round, you get occasional, terrific views of the Blackdown Hills and the countryside around Taunton. We did the bluebell walk, which is an enchanting circuit around one side of the estate. The cafe, offering a range of freshly cooked food and cakes, is excellent There are a number of tables in a courtyard setting and a shop selling National Trust-type goodies and plants. The woodland walk would be challenging for wheel-chair users, but the formal gardens are accessible and wonderful to sit in. A wonderful place to take a book and relax.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You won't be disappointed with this venue. It has everything a day out should have. Amazing views and gardens, something for the children, amazing indoor and outdoor eating spaces with fabulous varied menus. The gift shop has some quirky gifts, especially great around the Christmas season.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The gardens are a great place all ages. They have a play area for children and some really nice walks around the gardens. There is also a café situated there so that you can relax with a beverage and relax before gong off and looking round again. The staff are all very friendly and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went here before our Christmas dinner evening out and did a spot of ice skating, great fun and nice mulled wine! The Winter Gardens were lit up and looking gorgeous. Hestercombe is a great place to visit, lots of history and a wonderfully restored lake, Gertrude Jekyll borders and sunken garden with excellent planting schematics and delightful rhylls, fountains and ponds. Good café with a nice selection of food and drinks.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place for the kids to have a run around within the grounds and to learn few things about fauna too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful place if you simply enjoy a long walk through delightful woodland and gardens. A very good cafe is available.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We recently bought a family membership for a year for £39 pounds if bought using direct debit. I thought this was excellent value as we have already made our money back g. Its a lovely place to visit with the children who can feed the swans, paddle at the bottom of the cascade or tear around and let off steam! That said the entrance fee is very steep without this but the water features and gardens are lovely.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I went mifd February when the snowdrops were fully out. The gardens were very quiet and that suited us. It is a lovely stroll round the various ponds, and we have made a mental note to visit in the summer. I take the point about the cost but we had the senior's conession so it was slightly cheaper. The restaurant again is pricey but top quality food. We both had a lovely mushroom soup and crusty bread after touring the gardens and it was the best we had ever tasted. You do get what you pay for.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A place to relax in, one in which you can forget the stress of modern life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. From the walks around both the beautiful formal gardens and the woodland trails there stunning views of the Vale of Taunton. I though however it was rather expensive and put me off from visiting very often.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A beautiful and well maintained park with play areas, flower beds and fountain. It would be lovely to have an area for dogs to run off the lead.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely calm place to explore at your own pace. There are flat formal gardens and steep woodland paths, and various other terrains. Very little intrusive 'corporate' stuff, just an enchanting outdoor experience - with a very nice cafe. Seasonal events are laid on, with plenty for children, so get on the mailing list for details. Other visitors always seem more friendly than at similar places!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really nice and peaceful,well laid out walks within the gardens.
Very nice catering area.
Perhaps,in my opinion,rather expensive compared with other gardenwalks
but well worth a visit
Very nice catering area.
Perhaps,in my opinion,rather expensive compared with other gardenwalks
but well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We go to Hestercombe quite often to take part in various activities either for children or in the hall where craft fairs sometimes take place, as well as enjoy the changing gardens which are still being restored. Apart from the formal gardens, which have 'rooms' with delightful arbours and arches and water features there is a good walk uphill, with a dramatic waterfall, duckpond, various follies and features and you can sometimes catch a performance of a Shakespeare play in the summer. The café in the stables and in the open is worth a visit as is the well-stocked shop. The only downside is it is quite expensive.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely gardens with historical interest. Beautiful estate to walk in, trees, water, follies. Good food - the largest yorkshire puddings I have ever seen! We took part in a mushroom walk and even in the rain it was enjoyable. Plenty to see and a knowledgeable guide.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe gardens is a beautiful place to visit, it's real beauty is the design of the gardens, but during the summer is enhanced by the floral displays. A lovely place to visit in the heart of Somerset, but it really only needs a half day visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went to Hestercombe this evening to take part in one of their terror tours. It is not often something like this exceeds my expectations but we all had a fabulous time. There were 3 generations of family members with the younger ones in fancy dress. On arrival the house was lit up and ghostly noises were emitted. A scary butler opened the door where we were treated by a ghoul. From there, the children were entertained by traditional games - Apple bobbing etc until the time of our tour. The guide took us through a tour of the house with various 'scary' events as we progressed. It was scary enough to send shivers down the spine of the adults without completely freaking out the children (ages 6-8). Well recommended and not overpriced. Probably the best halloween event we have been to and we have done a few.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fabulous gardens only a short drive from Taunton with some splendid and easily manageable walks around the estate and cracking views across the Quantock Hills. I understand that funds are being built up so that the magnificent house may be restored and eventually opened to the public.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really great venue. We had the high tea option and it was amazing especially the cheese scones and home made chutney. However the other scones were also very deliciious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
