Hestercombe Gardens
Latest Reviews
We went on a bright sunny winter day and while this is not ideal for a garden of this sort were impressed by the sheer scale of it all. There was plenty of water in the lakes and cascades and we were able to walk most of the paths - some closed because of recent heavy rain and flooding. There was colour from berries and the spindles contrasting against the frosty ground!
The only downside was that there was no one at the ticket sale point and we could have simply walked in without paying. We were directed to go to the shop to buy the tickets which - of course - we did. I was a few steps in front of my companion and was gruffly told to "shut the door" by the sales person. The shop was not busy but she was serving and it took some while to buy our tickets. To be fair she did thaw out a bit and told us about the garden. If the door needs shutting the site should fix the spring! My companion got in free and I got a discounted on-line ticket which made it good value. If it really is £9/10 per head as reported elsewhere I would have hesitated to have paid that!
The toilet facilities are exxcellent!
The restaurant area and food was good with a very outgoing server. See separate review.
The only downside was that there was no one at the ticket sale point and we could have simply walked in without paying. We were directed to go to the shop to buy the tickets which - of course - we did. I was a few steps in front of my companion and was gruffly told to "shut the door" by the sales person. The shop was not busy but she was serving and it took some while to buy our tickets. To be fair she did thaw out a bit and told us about the garden. If the door needs shutting the site should fix the spring! My companion got in free and I got a discounted on-line ticket which made it good value. If it really is £9/10 per head as reported elsewhere I would have hesitated to have paid that!
The toilet facilities are exxcellent!
The restaurant area and food was good with a very outgoing server. See separate review.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I used to work in the house when Somerset Fire and Rescue Service used it as their HQ before we were taken over by Devon FRS and I used to walk the gardens every day at lunchtime. The gardens are spectacular for most of the year and a relaxing walk around the ponds is well worth the effort.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our daughters wedding was made very special on Sunday 4th of November by all the staff involved, The settings are truly magnificent. The venue is perfect and we couldnt have wished for any better service its a credit to everyone who works at Hestecombe Gardens. Thank You.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Got married here in November. Everything was perfect from the entrance of the bride, food and staff (both on the day and before in preparation for the big day). We would thoroughtly recommend you to have your wedding here in the Orangery but also to visit the fabulous gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful gardens and great events throughout the year. Pleasant restaurant with excellent home cooked meals.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Despite visiting following torrential rain, these gardens still managed to retain their beauty at the beginning of Autumn! Plenty of winding paths for children to explore and beautiful views aplenty. There is a lovely cafe serving superb and very reasonably priced homemade food. All the staff were friendly, welcoming and knowledegable which always makes a huge difference. All in all a facinating day out for adults and children alike, not to mention dogs, which are welcome in all areas of the garden and with a covered seating area outside the cafe, they can even join you for coffee!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you like gardens you will like this one. Quite large and well worth a visit. Go and see the restoration that has taken place, set in the heart of the Somerset countryside.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We chose a damp day to visit but that didn't distract from the beauty of everything. Slightly disappointed that we were obviously too early for the autumn colours despite it being halfway through October.
Lovingly restored gardens were a delight to walk around with the added bonus of being able to bring the family dog with us - top marks for making us feel welcome with him, thank you.
A very tasty lunch was had in the cafe but I would have like to have had a toasted sandwich without the obligatory salad and serving of rice (my husband ate those two offerings for me), but this meant that I'd paid about £6 just for a toasted sandwich. So maybe a simpler menu please?
Lovingly restored gardens were a delight to walk around with the added bonus of being able to bring the family dog with us - top marks for making us feel welcome with him, thank you.
A very tasty lunch was had in the cafe but I would have like to have had a toasted sandwich without the obligatory salad and serving of rice (my husband ate those two offerings for me), but this meant that I'd paid about £6 just for a toasted sandwich. So maybe a simpler menu please?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I have wanted to visit the Gardens for ages but decided we would make time on this trip to the West Country. It did not disappoint. Fabulous views and plenty of interest in the Autumn Gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Truly stunning scenery. Beautiful formal gardens and if you are looking for peace and quiet just wander into the woods and either amble along or take a seat and enjoy the views from numerous hidden spots along the way. I loved it so much I have been back 3 times in the last week. And as an extra treat don't miss the cakes in the cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went on a cloudy dry day. Enjoyed sections of the gardens and the interesting watermill. Nothing realy of interest and no activities for the children. We enjoyed coffee and lunch time baguettes and panins. Entrance fee aprox £10 depending on age.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm a student so I got in for £5/6 which is good value. WOuldnn't want to spend anymore. Nice gardens, plenty to see. Watermill is nice and the feel of the place is good.
Free electric car charge point if anyone is interested.
Free electric car charge point if anyone is interested.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We decided to break a journey to Cornwall after seeing Hestercombe on 'Gardeners' World' and we were so glad we did. This is a truly beautiful garden of several different styles, from the formal to the picturesque. The Plat, with its runnels and ponds, is particularly lovely and the pergola is breathtaking. There is a surprise around every corner and wonderful views from the upper gardens. The staff are all friendly and welcoming and when I left my camera behind in the restaurant, a member of staff handed it in and it was kept safe till our return journey. Having to go back was no hardship as it allowed us to have a second super meal in the restaurant and to buy a second lot of unusual and well-priced plants from the shop. We will be breaking our journeys to visit family in Cornwall at Hestercombe from now on.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Much of the garden has been left rustic, enjoyed the formal garden and am looking forward to the garden maturing..the cafe food was bought in not homemade (had the quiche) although staff are very friendly and helpful..they went out of their way to find me local B & B numbers
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Superb. Very high quality food - Sunday roast best in Taunton area. In the former stable block the architecture is lovely.
Source: google.com
Lovely gardens. Cafe bit disapointing, they pride themselves on their chef, but the food is so disapointing. The cakes and deserts are awful. Xmas fairs charge shoppers £3 to look at stalls! And that's before the gates! And they charge the stall holders....so that's three pound less to spend on stalls, surely the whole point is to get people out there, who may consider then paying to go into gardens or buy off stall holders? Like I say, gardens good, don,t bother with anything else.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We loved visiting these beautiful gardens, and learning about the history of the area.
Great food and the staff were very nice!
Great food and the staff were very nice!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The formal gardens were very pretty and we enjoyed the walk round the lakes, we had taken a picnic and we were disappointed that we could not take our picnic into the gardens so we could spend a long time chatting and relaxing instead you have to use the area provided next to the entrance and the children's playground,so not very easy to have a conversation and a glass of wine
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Food was great at the courtyard but the cost to enter the gardens was far too expensive. Was not worth it
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We absoltuely loved Hestercombe. The formal gardens are incredible and the layout and hardscape make you want to go home and start redesigning. Really enjoyed it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There is a lovely walk around the grounds, thourgh the wooded areas, and finally to the formal garden which was full of gladiolis.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My friend just got married here and it was just beautiful. The view was heavenly, and the scent from the flowers was great. The ceremony was in the orangery which was very pretty. The food was great too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent Edwardian garden planned on the soacious style of thise days with immaculate Gertrude Jeckyll-type colour co-odinated planting: several feature areas such as long water garden, great herbaceous beds, etc -- plus another, larger, older one with temples and buildings: entirely diffeent in character. Both extremely enjoyable and material for two visis instead of just one! The atmosphere is relaxing and restful despite the large number of visitors
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Plenty of parking
Gardens lovely peaceful place to visit
Also been here to 2 weddings weddings in the Orangery, and after in the big hall - two wonderful days.
Food in the cafe exceptional been several times.
Will go back
Gardens lovely peaceful place to visit
Also been here to 2 weddings weddings in the Orangery, and after in the big hall - two wonderful days.
Food in the cafe exceptional been several times.
Will go back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
These are really lovely gardens with something for all the family. Children can play in the brook, summerhouses, woods and grassed areas. Garden enthusiasts can enjoy the fantastic Gertrude Jekyll formal gardens. My only criticism is that labelling of plants and trees would have been helpful. The cafe at the gardens is excellent.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
