Local Reviews
In July 2013, Ann C said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, Kate B said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, Mavis H said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, grahame o said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, judyh84 said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, Mis88 said about Hestercombe Gardens
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
In August 2013, Del H said about Hestercombe Gardens
This was our first visit, my wife and I, together with a three year old grandson. In all we spent about three and a half hours on site and thoroughly exhausted both grandson and grandad.
On arrival Sue had a good coffee in the restaurant, whilst Jonas and I enjoyed very small and expensive tubs of ice-cream. The seating in the courtyard was excellent and the service was also good. We were glad we had brought a picnic though, once we'd looked at the food prices.
The provision of a picnic area outside the main entrance is a good idea, particularly as it is possible to re-enter after using it. We would however suggest picnics should be allowed in the landscaped gardens, even if only at designated spots. The picnic tables near the mill pond would seem to be the ideal spot, particularly as the tea shed would benefit from the availability of hot drinks. What a shame it wasn't open when we were there.
After our refreshments we took a stroll around the landscaped valley. Jonas enjoyed exploring the various shelters and small garden buildings and was enthralled by the ducks on the various ponds. This from a boy who is a regular visitor to Chew Valley Lake to feed the ducks. I would suggest small bags of appropriate food should be available for children to feed the ducks, though they didn't look hungry. Surprised there were no signs warning against inappropriate feeding.
Back to the entrance, more coffee and ice cream after our picnic, then into the formal gardens. An exhausted Jonas fell twice in here and prompted us to return to the car. It was time to get home for the dog anyway. We would dearly love to return to spend more time in this part of the gardens.
Given we were deep into school holiday season, it was a relief to have so few children around. The peace and tranquility was not impaired at all.
The ongoing restoration works do detract from the overall beauty, but are in themselves an interesting sideshow.
The toilet facilities were clean and in good order.
Parking was as needed, though does suggest you are never going to find yourself walking round shoulder to shoulder. That's a relief.
The sandals? All the paths are grit and gravel. If you can walk on such a surface without regular stops to shake out small stones, you'll be fine. Me, I was stopping every couple of yards. OK, I exaggerate a little, but you get the point.
Note to self: must come back when the rhododendrons are in bloom.
On arrival Sue had a good coffee in the restaurant, whilst Jonas and I enjoyed very small and expensive tubs of ice-cream. The seating in the courtyard was excellent and the service was also good. We were glad we had brought a picnic though, once we'd looked at the food prices.
The provision of a picnic area outside the main entrance is a good idea, particularly as it is possible to re-enter after using it. We would however suggest picnics should be allowed in the landscaped gardens, even if only at designated spots. The picnic tables near the mill pond would seem to be the ideal spot, particularly as the tea shed would benefit from the availability of hot drinks. What a shame it wasn't open when we were there.
After our refreshments we took a stroll around the landscaped valley. Jonas enjoyed exploring the various shelters and small garden buildings and was enthralled by the ducks on the various ponds. This from a boy who is a regular visitor to Chew Valley Lake to feed the ducks. I would suggest small bags of appropriate food should be available for children to feed the ducks, though they didn't look hungry. Surprised there were no signs warning against inappropriate feeding.
Back to the entrance, more coffee and ice cream after our picnic, then into the formal gardens. An exhausted Jonas fell twice in here and prompted us to return to the car. It was time to get home for the dog anyway. We would dearly love to return to spend more time in this part of the gardens.
Given we were deep into school holiday season, it was a relief to have so few children around. The peace and tranquility was not impaired at all.
The ongoing restoration works do detract from the overall beauty, but are in themselves an interesting sideshow.
The toilet facilities were clean and in good order.
Parking was as needed, though does suggest you are never going to find yourself walking round shoulder to shoulder. That's a relief.
The sandals? All the paths are grit and gravel. If you can walk on such a surface without regular stops to shake out small stones, you'll be fine. Me, I was stopping every couple of yards. OK, I exaggerate a little, but you get the point.
Note to self: must come back when the rhododendrons are in bloom.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2013, Barbara said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is an garden with footpaths leading to areas of different planting and interest. Some is formal, some is woodland and in some there are distant views over the Vale of Taunton Deane. There are places of interest along the way which can offer shelter. I took the dog on a lead and that was fine.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2013, GWandJW said about Hestercombe Gardens
Been looking forward to this visit all week but not as expected. The lady on the till tried exceptionally hard to have us "gift aid", the previous couple paying had already had an argument regarding this. The waterfall which is a feature was not running due to a lack of water (just the weather) but not mention was made at the pay point. The bulk of the garden looked worn out with only the Dutch Garden, Great Plat & Victorian Terrace having any quality displays. It was not possible to visit the Orangery or Woodland Barn due to a wedding taking place. We were asked to vacate the Victorian Terrace by an female with clipboard as the Bride & Groom etc were due through. I pointed out that we were paying guests and was appalled at being asked to move on. The pushy female probably the wedding organiser persevered and eventually we left. I believe that had someone placed a discreet sign advised that a wedding was in progress then a confrontation would not have occurred. Also if parts of the garden are out of bounds then a corresponding reduction from the already heavy (in value for money terms) entrance fee should be made. We won't be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2013, SiobhanLohenna said about Hestercombe Gardens
Absolutely stunning. It is a shame there are some negative reviews on here. It is true they are doing some conservation work here, however this is only allowing people to continue enjoying the beautiful spot. There was a wedding on, and the girl at the reception let me know when I got there, so I could plan my visit. I'm glad she did. I spent over an hour in the formal gardens alone.
I highly recommend a visit. Its like being transported to another world.
I highly recommend a visit. Its like being transported to another world.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk