Local Reviews
In May 2018, Shippers said about Hestercombe Gardens
Our first visit to Hestercombe Gardens and we were highly impressed. We broke off our journey to the West Country for a walk and a spot of lunch, and were glad we made the decision on both counts. It is close to the M5, and although access involves a number of twists and turns it is both well signposted and easy to find using Satnav.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Paul N said about Hestercombe Gardens
We had not heard of Hestercombe until watching one of Michael Portillo's railway journeys earlier this year and it looked intriguing. In the flesh, and on a sunny Spring day, it proved well worth the visit. This is an estate that almost went under due to the dreaded death duties and the landscape itself was clear felled in the 60's before being rediscovered around 20 years ago, since when it has undergone extensive restoration. Originally built for the privileged few and now enjoyed by the many.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Anne said about Hestercombe Gardens
we went in Spring on a 2 for 1 deal which made it even better value. The rhodendron display is beautiful, as were the bluebells and the 'wilder' wood walks are lovely if a little steep and uneven in a few places. So nice to be able to wander at will without being limited to where we could go with the dog. A good half day well spent. Definitely going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, SML said about Hestercombe Gardens
We spent hours here with our 11 year old son who was NOT happy to be visiting another country house. Once he had seen the chickens and paddled under the cascade he actually seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he aquired a large stick. Lots of points of interest in the landscape garden and the formal gardens are gorgeous, but probably more about the hard landscaping and water features than the planting and the boy enjoyed poking his stick in all of them. The house does not offer a great deal but worth a pop in to see the art exhibitions, staircase and roof light. The cafe was a bit pricey but happily a bowl of chips and some cake was the cheaper option.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Mia said about Hestercombe Gardens
We really enjoyed visiting Hestercombe Gardens today even though it was raining. I would recommend going on a sunny day but it was still nice even with the clouds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, cornishgranny said about Hestercombe Gardens
Great lunch with friends, self
Service, friendly staff, good parking, good cakes, great and place for tea and cake
Service, friendly staff, good parking, good cakes, great and place for tea and cake
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Peter S said about Hestercombe Gardens
The Victorian garden was stunning and the walks through the grounds by the lakes easy to walk and attractive with great vistas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, mikey134 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Nice valley walk past lakes and follies. Lovely formal gardens,, nice cafe and gift shops. A little underwhelming after the big build up on their website but a pleasant place to visit nonetheless.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Polly K said about Hestercombe Gardens
The gardens and grounds are really lovely and worth a visit. We would recommend that you wear fairly stout footwear and do not wear sandals because the paths are gravel and you would spend time emptying your sandals!
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Jayne M said about Hestercombe Gardens
A delightful set of gardens and estate to wander around on a summers day, very pretty in Spring too with naturalised bulbs everywhere. Excellent tearooms ,although picnics are in evidence in the valley setting, not the easiest paths for disabled or senior citizens, but if time is no problem it is just a place of beauty to enjoy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk