Local Reviews
In June 2017, Jim said about Hestercombe Gardens
Been going to Hestercombe for years. It never fails to disappoint. The gardens are fantastic and you can walk for miles! Customer service in the restaurant is great and the cream tea is amazing!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2017, Stu151 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe is a hidden gem - it's a place you know about, always mean to visit, and just don't get around to.
The estate is split into 3 main areas/gardens, developed at different times. You can explore any or all of these depending on how long you want to spend at Hestercombe. When we visited all of the estate was well looked after, with in particular the Formal Gardens/Great Plat (the work of Gertrude Jekyll) looking stunning in the afternoon sun.
The cafe is nicely located and certainly the lunch we purchased was excellent.
Worthy of special mention was the enthusiastic (and very professional) introduction we were given at the Reception Desk when we arrived at the gardens.
A previous review quotes the admission prices as £11.00, it's actually just under £9 (for an online booking), which is considerably less than the one off admission price to most National Trust houses/gardens.
The estate is split into 3 main areas/gardens, developed at different times. You can explore any or all of these depending on how long you want to spend at Hestercombe. When we visited all of the estate was well looked after, with in particular the Formal Gardens/Great Plat (the work of Gertrude Jekyll) looking stunning in the afternoon sun.
The cafe is nicely located and certainly the lunch we purchased was excellent.
Worthy of special mention was the enthusiastic (and very professional) introduction we were given at the Reception Desk when we arrived at the gardens.
A previous review quotes the admission prices as £11.00, it's actually just under £9 (for an online booking), which is considerably less than the one off admission price to most National Trust houses/gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Rufus said about Hestercombe Gardens
Everyone seems to agree the gardens are beautiful. But the Christmas market is a must. Busy, bustling and full of choice, it's a must in the run up to the festivities. Very well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Jacquelinedavis110 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Had been waiting to visit here for many years. Sadly disappointed. The gardens look tired and they need looking after. The structure is lovely but the plants don't live up to it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Voyager2 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We travelled over 2 hours to visit having seen the gardens on TV and read about them and the house.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Peter V said about Hestercombe Gardens
I had read some negative reviews of this attraction before visiting but you need to appreciate that this is a work in progress and will take years to complete. It started 800 years ago, became overgrown and lost now being slowly and lovingly restored. Newish visitor centre and the house is also now open. Formal gardens were a bit disappointing but see my opening comment. It's a fair walk round but well worth the effort, walking shoes recommended. Don't go in the rain. Well signposted and plenty of parking even an electric vehicle charging point. Well worth the visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, grumpypete2014 said about Hestercombe Gardens
First time visitor, and most impressed by the whole experience. Nice blend of formal gardens, landscape gardens, meadows, orchard, buildings, views and eating places.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Heather R said about Hestercombe Gardens
Lovely walk through a woodland garden - cool on a hot day! A few shopping opportunities, 2nd hand bookshop etc. Cafe has good food and drink but a shame they allow dogs in, and all over the furniture.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Edwin T said about Hestercombe Gardens
These gardens are of real importance with Lutyen's designs (and his famous benches) along with evidence of the original planting by Gertrude Jekyll. For me, the important thing is that it's all dog friendly (on a lead) The long walk in the wider park is wonderful with the variety of shelters and created views and this contrasts with the formality of the house garden. Paths could be better for mobility scooters but a must visit place for lovers of gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Ray G said about Hestercombe Gardens
Really good pleasant and extensive cultivated natural grounds with beautiful formal gardens close to the house. Lovely semi formal dining in the Comom Room and good self service eating in the stables.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk