Local Reviews
In May 2013, Edwin T said about Hestercombe Gardens
These are lovely gardens that have been painstakingly restored. Not an easy garden to walk around, plenty of hills but the effort paid off with the wonderful bluebell woods. Later in the year one can see where more colour will appear in the garden. A bit more in spring would help, especially in the more formal part of the gardens. Whilst the signage is generally OK, it is a little confusing in places.
A dog friendly garden. If one can take a dog into an iconic garden such as this - designed by Edwin Lutyens & Gertude Jekyll - it shows up the poor dog attitude of so many National Trust properties. We will visit again.
A dog friendly garden. If one can take a dog into an iconic garden such as this - designed by Edwin Lutyens & Gertude Jekyll - it shows up the poor dog attitude of so many National Trust properties. We will visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, Beverley A said about Hestercombe Gardens
Went for a wedding reception and the venue was outstanding. From what we saw both walking around and from photos a beautiful place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2013, beedeeeye said about Hestercombe Gardens
Wonderful late spring day out visiting this historic garden which did not disappoint even though it rained the whole day. Beautifully restored and cared for and a must for all garden enthusiasts. Surprisingly large, a slow amble round the whole site takes at least two hours although the important formal Edwardian garden can be visited in an hour. A real treasure in every sense. I recommend the stables café for the quality of the food. Don't be put off by the prices, at the time I visited a BLT was £6 but what arrived was all but a main meal with its accompanying salad, crisps and giant cous cous and massive home made brown bread slices. very tasty day out all round. Visit late spring for bluebells and later for summer bedding. Glorious gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, kaff206 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We've visited here on numerous occasions, on our own, with family, and with friends. We've been on different times throughout the year, spring, summer, autumn, winter, and it's always memorable, relaxing and very beautiful. our dogs love it here too and are always welcomed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, colinandjunep said about Hestercombe Gardens
The introductory film showing the history of the reclaiming of the gardens is fascinating, such a lot of hard work and it shows, the gardens are extensive with beautiful walks through woods and by the large ponds etc. Wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from the top meadows. The formal gardens are still undergoing restoration but still very interesting. The bluebells were stunning.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, francis b said about Hestercombe Gardens
A world famous garden, incorporating designs from the eighteenth and twentieth ceturies by important architects and garden designers, and magnificently restored and tended. Well worth a visit, although I thought the restaurant was a shade pricey.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, 855David said about Hestercombe Gardens
A fantstic place to visit whether your your or old , but bloody expensive to get in ,i know the gardens need a lot of upkeep but please dont turn it into some sort of theme park for plants sometimes the natural beauty of something is bettter
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, Myzscha said about Hestercombe Gardens
We went to the 'fete' and booked on line for a discount.
Take a pic nic but leave it in the car and go back at lunchtime as the picnic benches are outside the gardens, but by a small play area & have a great view & some shade. The gardens are beautiful, from large landscaped expanses to the idyllic walled garden area. Take a camera and have fun as I did. The children enjoyed exploring & grandparents sat & enjoyed the views.
Take a pic nic but leave it in the car and go back at lunchtime as the picnic benches are outside the gardens, but by a small play area & have a great view & some shade. The gardens are beautiful, from large landscaped expanses to the idyllic walled garden area. Take a camera and have fun as I did. The children enjoyed exploring & grandparents sat & enjoyed the views.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, AJB Temple said about Hestercombe Gardens
Ugly house with stunning gardens. A must see in this area. Excellent care too. My wife raved about the garden design (Lutyens) and planting (GJ). I could not care less about gardens really but even I was impressed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2013, Wendy E said about Hestercombe Gardens
These gardens have extensive areas of woodland paths, with streams and lakes. There are several seats/shelters, all with different views so that you can sit and enjoy the landscape.
Nearer the entrance, there is a beautiful terrace garden, which leads into the formal gardens. These are planted with a mixture of annuals and perennials, which gives a lovely soft effect, rather than the bedding plants which feature in so many formal gardens. Water plays a big part in these gardens, with rills (paved streams) and ponds, as well as a couple of small fountains. There are several small sections of these gardens, which lead down steps into the next section, so there is plenty to discover. My only gripe was the shortage of seats in this area!
There is a cafe/restaurant with both inside and outside seating. We found the service was rather slow, but the food was worth waiting for - I definitely recommend the chicken breast in white wine and mushroom sauce! They cater for coeliacs and vegetarians. Prices are on a par with similar properties (£6.95 - £9.95 for a main course).
Dogs are allowed throughout the grounds on a lead, including the outside seating area, and there are a few dog waste bins (marked on the map).
Wheelchair users come in at half price (plus a free carer), but are not able to access all the grounds because of steps and steep slopes. The map shows clearly where they can go. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed. The formal gardens are not fully accessible, although there is one part where wheelchairs can get in to a bit of them. There should be a wheelchair platform from the ticket office to the cafe/restaurant, but this was out of order when we visited, although there was a sloping entrance to it from the car park which we were able to use. Designated disabled parking spaces in the car park. Most paths are gravel or hard earth. Both toilet blocks had a disabled access toilet.
Picnics are not allowed in the grounds, but there is a picnic area near the car park, and you can go back to your car and re-enter the grounds afterwards.
Nearer the entrance, there is a beautiful terrace garden, which leads into the formal gardens. These are planted with a mixture of annuals and perennials, which gives a lovely soft effect, rather than the bedding plants which feature in so many formal gardens. Water plays a big part in these gardens, with rills (paved streams) and ponds, as well as a couple of small fountains. There are several small sections of these gardens, which lead down steps into the next section, so there is plenty to discover. My only gripe was the shortage of seats in this area!
There is a cafe/restaurant with both inside and outside seating. We found the service was rather slow, but the food was worth waiting for - I definitely recommend the chicken breast in white wine and mushroom sauce! They cater for coeliacs and vegetarians. Prices are on a par with similar properties (£6.95 - £9.95 for a main course).
Dogs are allowed throughout the grounds on a lead, including the outside seating area, and there are a few dog waste bins (marked on the map).
Wheelchair users come in at half price (plus a free carer), but are not able to access all the grounds because of steps and steep slopes. The map shows clearly where they can go. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed. The formal gardens are not fully accessible, although there is one part where wheelchairs can get in to a bit of them. There should be a wheelchair platform from the ticket office to the cafe/restaurant, but this was out of order when we visited, although there was a sloping entrance to it from the car park which we were able to use. Designated disabled parking spaces in the car park. Most paths are gravel or hard earth. Both toilet blocks had a disabled access toilet.
Picnics are not allowed in the grounds, but there is a picnic area near the car park, and you can go back to your car and re-enter the grounds afterwards.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk