Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
We visited these gardens some years ago, and decided to come back and see what had changed!
The overall gardens are of course still the same - a beautiful series of settings and vistas in a valley, as well as some formal gardens in front of the house. However, the gardens are continually being restored - and this time around we were able to see the WW2 hut, the apple/cider barn and the renovated water wheel.
The paths are a bit steep and uneven in places, so you want to have sensible footwear on when you visit.
We spent a few hours here - and could easily have spent longer if we had made use of the very nice looking cafe. There is also a very nice little nursery where you can buy some lovely plants, and there is a gift shop.
Definitely worth a visit!
The overall gardens are of course still the same - a beautiful series of settings and vistas in a valley, as well as some formal gardens in front of the house. However, the gardens are continually being restored - and this time around we were able to see the WW2 hut, the apple/cider barn and the renovated water wheel.
The paths are a bit steep and uneven in places, so you want to have sensible footwear on when you visit.
We spent a few hours here - and could easily have spent longer if we had made use of the very nice looking cafe. There is also a very nice little nursery where you can buy some lovely plants, and there is a gift shop.
Definitely worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very good landscaped garden which makes for quite a long stroll if you allow for the climbs and stops at various features. The ruins of the WW2 barracks make for interesting reading. The terraced garden was beautiful and a nice contrast with the earlier part - you can certainly see a designer's hand at work. Café rather nondescript and girl on reception quite unhelpful and obviously resented having to do tickets and ice-creams at the same time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe Gardens made a lovely setting for our daughter's wedding in the Orangery in June.
Games on the lawn or strolling around the grounds after the ceremony made for a very relaxed atmosphere. All agreed that they had a magical time.
The food for the reception in Bamfylde Hall was great too!
Games on the lawn or strolling around the grounds after the ceremony made for a very relaxed atmosphere. All agreed that they had a magical time.
The food for the reception in Bamfylde Hall was great too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We chose Hestercombe as the venue for my 80th birthday celebration.
A private room gave an excellent service for our lunch. Our guests enjoyed the spectacular gardens followed by a delicious cream tea.
Julie the organiser and the restaurant staff gave us every attention and cared that we had a really good time.
A private room gave an excellent service for our lunch. Our guests enjoyed the spectacular gardens followed by a delicious cream tea.
Julie the organiser and the restaurant staff gave us every attention and cared that we had a really good time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and outstanding gardens with wonderful views across the vale of Taunton deane. A lovely place to spend a few hours following the many different paths .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe has a formal garden and a landscape garden, both of great historical importance. A visit is always a pleasure although at some times of the year there are few flowers in bloom. Nevertheless, the structure of the formal gardens is fascinating and an important example of the vision of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll and can be enjoyed in any season. We always enjoy our visits and this year had the bonus of walking through the bluebell woods and seeing areas we had not previously visited. The large, landscaped gardens are excellent and can be enjoyed in any season. Good footwear is advisable and a reasonable level of fitness if all the sights are to be enjoyed. A marvellous place to spend time and we do so every time we visit Somerset. The cafe facilities are good and well worth sampling! The shop and garden centre offers lots of good things for gardeners and those seeking a special gift. Highly recommended for all! Ann C
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is such a stunning place which attracts young and old. There is a superb restaurant at the end of an amazing walk.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe house is a great day out for all ages. Children can run around exploring the trails and make lots of noise. Adults can appreciate Hestercombes beauty while children enjoy themselves. Ideal for everyone young and old. There are themed events I went to the Halloween event and the children loved it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was born in Taunton, 50yrs + ago and this was the first time visit. We took our dog with us, it is a lovely place for a quiet stroll, don't hurry as you will miss different waterfalls. We missed out on the formal gardens as it was raining but we shall return for another visit. We would have liked to have let our dog off his lead on the park but they have to stay on leads.
The food was a little expensive but if you share a sandwich it is well worth it.
Every thing's well kept and tidy. Cannot wait for a further visit.
The food was a little expensive but if you share a sandwich it is well worth it.
Every thing's well kept and tidy. Cannot wait for a further visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Tranquil and peaceful, Hestercombe is a lovely place to stroll around. There are many paths to follow and you could walk a different route every time you visit. There are formal gardens as well as the less structured walk that follows the stream. The views are amazing. However, a little overpriced entrance fee and the cafe was disappointing. We ordered cream teas and were given two scones each, on both plates one scone was stale and the other wasn't great.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We pay an annual subscription . If you visit the gardens at different times through out the year , you will always be able to see the wonderful changing seasons at Hestercombe. The video has recently been updated. It is excellent and explains the history of Hestercombe .
The Lake is beautiful reflecting the tall fir trees. The watermill has been restored and is working. The gardens are amazing and the little bit of WW2 history tucked away on a hill is interesting.
A really great attraction to have on your doorstep
The Lake is beautiful reflecting the tall fir trees. The watermill has been restored and is working. The gardens are amazing and the little bit of WW2 history tucked away on a hill is interesting.
A really great attraction to have on your doorstep
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lots to explore here, beautiful plants if you are interested, peaceful place to sit and walk either way. Plenty of parking (which is always useful!)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
so much to see and enjoy as well as delightful views and a well stocked garden lakes fountain and cafe
warm welcome
warm welcome
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful gardens, lovely water features, informative AV presentation of the history of the gardens and their restoration, excellent restaurant/tea room and tempting gift and plant shop!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I always find the lake walk and the formal Jekyll garden a delight here. Even though there always seem to be many visitors at the start, things soon sort themselves out and one feels more alone shortly. A delightful walk with many diversions to scenically interesting artefacts along the way. The Jekyll garden with rills, beds and the archwayed boundary are stunning. The shop is interesting, as is the plant centre but I, personally, feel the catering area is uncomfortable tho' the actual food is all right.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really nice day out. lots of lovely things to look at even in winter. It can take a long time to walk around the whole garden and woodland area, so take cold drinks. Lovely restaurant for a nice meal after. Interesting items in the shop. Enjoy
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Like a lot of attractions in England, these gardens can seem expensive, but they are very pleasant to wander round on a summer's day and even better if you catch one of their special events, such as when they set up lights all around that make for a truly magical visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hestercombe can be quite difficult to find down small lanes but it is a very relaxing place to wander around and pass an afternoon, with long walks and some very pretty plants to see too. The cafe is extremely good. All-in-all well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Super place to visit gardens are interesting and the large garden/park garden to the rear is really lovely. Setting lovely and very good cafe at the house.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Glad we went. Really lovely garden with lots of interesting features. good catering. Quite steep in places but accessible for must people.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I loved walking around the gardens with my parents, it was peaceful, relaxed and I felt really inpired to do my garden the next day!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although slightly difficult to find, there is plenty of parking and also level walks for the less mobile. The herb garden just to the left at the entry to the cafe is worth a look and you can relax on the bench while taking in the scent of the surrounding herbs - it looks like you're trespassing in someone's home but you're free to be there. Each month has it's own delights in the gardens and the cafe is very good though perhaps a little short on seating. There are plants for sale and also a shop with gifts and cards.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
While staying overnight in the area, we had two hours to fill in the morning before going to an afternoon celebration and so visited Hestercombe Gardens. We were fortunate to be there on a beautiful warm, sunny morning. Although we would have loved to stay longer we had enough time to get a good taste of the gardens. We enjoyed the short video presentations showing the history of the house and the restoration of the gardens. We particularly liked the Victorian Terrace and the Great Plat and would have loved to have stayed longer just sitting in one of the delightful little areas looking at the arrangement of the the colours in the gardens as designed by Gertrude Jekyll and at the countryside beyond. We did not have time to visit many of the features north of the house but hopefully will visit again if in the area. Entrance fee is £9, including a donation to the Hestercombe Gardens Trust but that was at least of equal value to the pleasure and peaceful feelings that we experienced.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent gardens, not cheap but I suspect this reflects the upkeep and does not reduce its popularity! Cakes often look nice but taste disappointsngly cheap and find paying entry to fairs such as the Xmas fair a cheeck! The traders would have also paid and this takes cash you could spend with them! Most would go on to pay entry to the garden after and the fairs surely attract more passing trade.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to a wedding, the food was fantastic, plenty of it, we could have gone back for more. Excellent and attention to details by all the staff. Would recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
