Local Reviews
In June 2023, Blackth0rn said about Hestercombe Gardens
A pleasant and attractive country estate in a slightly out of the way location, it seems they have gone rather more for the natural look in the gardens than the very formal look, with plenty of dead heads on the roses for example, as well as patches of nettles. Not that it looked a mess, just not quite as pristine and immaculate as one might expect. The main focus here seems to be the gardens and grounds, with a fairly limited selection of things to view in the house.
The formal gardens are immediately behind the house, and these are very pleasant to wander around, with water features running through them and an orchard at the rear. A type of cellar area at the end houses a water wheel, some old machinery and some information about the history of the work carried out here. At the front of the house are more extensive grounds that wind up a valley, with a couple of large lakes, a waterfall and various artefacts such as a witch’s house, mausoleum and a rustic seat, many of which also double up as great viewing points. The house itself has an art gallery upstairs, whilst downstairs the only two rooms that seem to be in use are an exhibition with boards dating the development and owners of the estate, and a shop. The shop was mostly focussed on craft items such as jewellery, rather than the more usual selection of food and drink products or gardening items.
The obligatory café was open without buying tickets to the gardens, and consisted of both an inside area (table service) and outside. The cake selection was a little unusual, if you’re after a Victoria Sponge or Millionaire’s Shortbread for example, you’ll be disappointed. We opted for the Cherry & Almond cake, and a Hummingbird cake. Both were a little on the small side, and the Hummingbird cake tasted rather too much of coconut, which I didn’t think was one of the usual ingredients. The cherry and almond cake though was very tasty and lovely and moist. I didn’t like the fact that they were served in disposable cartons like you might get a takeaway burger in, along with a plastic fork. Admittedly the carton said it was made of sugar cane and fully compostable, but there must still be an environmental cost to the production and transportation of it, and there was no compost bin to put it in when you’d finished, only mixed recyclables or rubbish! Really, what an earth is wrong with a plate that can be washed up?
Overall though, a very pleasant place to wander around and worth a visit.
The formal gardens are immediately behind the house, and these are very pleasant to wander around, with water features running through them and an orchard at the rear. A type of cellar area at the end houses a water wheel, some old machinery and some information about the history of the work carried out here. At the front of the house are more extensive grounds that wind up a valley, with a couple of large lakes, a waterfall and various artefacts such as a witch’s house, mausoleum and a rustic seat, many of which also double up as great viewing points. The house itself has an art gallery upstairs, whilst downstairs the only two rooms that seem to be in use are an exhibition with boards dating the development and owners of the estate, and a shop. The shop was mostly focussed on craft items such as jewellery, rather than the more usual selection of food and drink products or gardening items.
The obligatory café was open without buying tickets to the gardens, and consisted of both an inside area (table service) and outside. The cake selection was a little unusual, if you’re after a Victoria Sponge or Millionaire’s Shortbread for example, you’ll be disappointed. We opted for the Cherry & Almond cake, and a Hummingbird cake. Both were a little on the small side, and the Hummingbird cake tasted rather too much of coconut, which I didn’t think was one of the usual ingredients. The cherry and almond cake though was very tasty and lovely and moist. I didn’t like the fact that they were served in disposable cartons like you might get a takeaway burger in, along with a plastic fork. Admittedly the carton said it was made of sugar cane and fully compostable, but there must still be an environmental cost to the production and transportation of it, and there was no compost bin to put it in when you’d finished, only mixed recyclables or rubbish! Really, what an earth is wrong with a plate that can be washed up?
Overall though, a very pleasant place to wander around and worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, JBHTaunton said about Hestercombe Gardens
Love this place, lovely place to walk around and also has nice formal gardens. Bonus is, it has a nice cafe to relax in as well. They also do lovely lunches as well.
It has great walks into the woodland, and lovely views over the Blackdown hills, to cap it all a great restaurant . The food is always well presented and served promptly. It may not be the cheapest place to eat, but it is definitely one of the better places.
We are regular visitors here, helps keep you healthy, and enjoying the area.
It has great walks into the woodland, and lovely views over the Blackdown hills, to cap it all a great restaurant . The food is always well presented and served promptly. It may not be the cheapest place to eat, but it is definitely one of the better places.
We are regular visitors here, helps keep you healthy, and enjoying the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, Janice C said about Hestercombe Gardens
Visited this June, which is probably the height of the season for this garden, with its glorious paeonies & roses in the magnificent, yet intimate, Lutyens formal garden; this area, with its rills of water, wonderful pergola & unexpected smaller 'rooms' to the side is magical. The partly restored Georgian garden (a work still in progress, but having attained much) is interesting, with its mostly reconstructed garden follies & an impressive cascade. This part of the garden wanders up a long combe at a fair gradient on beaten or pebbly paths, so good footwear, like trainers or walking sandals are advisable. It is also a fair distance all round & much is still wild, but nicely shaded in parts by trees (if you want immaculate & majestic try Stourhead instead).
Overall it made a good afternoon out - the point is the garden, the house being an underwhelming add-on. Gardener's World offer helped.
Overall it made a good afternoon out - the point is the garden, the house being an underwhelming add-on. Gardener's World offer helped.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, Kristin said about Hestercombe Gardens
Beautiful grounds, stunning formal gardens but plenty of general gardening required, deadheading in profusion!
House was really disappointing, expected more. What a pity.
As for the Cafe, having nice cake out of Takeaway boxes does not work!!! I have plenty of degradable plates at home if you would like some? So many other places open to the public, make much more of the Cafe experience. Might just as well buy in packet of cakes!!!😏🙁
House was really disappointing, expected more. What a pity.
As for the Cafe, having nice cake out of Takeaway boxes does not work!!! I have plenty of degradable plates at home if you would like some? So many other places open to the public, make much more of the Cafe experience. Might just as well buy in packet of cakes!!!😏🙁
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, Carolyn M said about Hestercombe Gardens
Lovely gardens to while away an afternoon. Cafe and restaurant on site and plant shop. Also second hand books on sale. Staff very pleasant and helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, Risa said about Hestercombe Gardens
Amazing garden, full of nooks and crannies. Very pretty and the stone paths and doorways made you want to explore every inch. Plenty of history with water power and a Mill.
Disappointingly the EV charger was out of action. Check before you go if you may need it. Some in Taunton though.
Not much of the house open but understand there is probably still a lot to do and run by a trust. Lovely plants for sale too
Disappointingly the EV charger was out of action. Check before you go if you may need it. Some in Taunton though.
Not much of the house open but understand there is probably still a lot to do and run by a trust. Lovely plants for sale too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, Lisa K said about Hestercombe Gardens
I wanted to treat my Mum , who is 90 yrs old- she in Taunton, me in West Sussex . We ate lunch in the resturant, in the courtyard, to the sound of the fountain, in dappled sunshine, fellow customers quietly chatting. The staff were very helpful , and professional. Food superb!!- Lamb kebabs on roasted aubergine and courgettes , with couscous , and a yoghurt dressing.
Finished with beautiful presented desserts, and coffees. Given just the right amount of attention, and left to enjoy our surroundings . What a Treat !!!
Finished with beautiful presented desserts, and coffees. Given just the right amount of attention, and left to enjoy our surroundings . What a Treat !!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, edloon said about Hestercombe Gardens
We had a wonderful day here from start to finish, blessed by a warm sunny day on my partner's birthday
We had refreshments in the Column cafe on arrival after a long journey and most excellent it was too.
My partner said her Baklava cheesecake was the best cheesecake she has ever
had, ever! No better praise than that.
The gardens are magnificent, you could spend many hours exploring the various areas and Lakes and admiring the legacy left by Lutyens and Jekyll.
The mill house is well worth a visit, lots of agricultural machinery from a bygone age and the early examples of light and electricity generation including acetylene for lighting the house!
We had a fabulous meal in the main restaurant outside by the contemporary fountain, my lamb on a skewer was first class and my partner loved her sea bream.
All the staff we encountered were really friendly.
Would love to return as there us si much to take in and all credit to the gardeners for there amazing efforts.
The house itself which is only partly renovated is worth a visit, it was once the HQ for the Somerset fire brigade so will require several years of work to restore it to its former glory.
Good secondhand book shop and gift shop too.
Highly recommended.
We had refreshments in the Column cafe on arrival after a long journey and most excellent it was too.
My partner said her Baklava cheesecake was the best cheesecake she has ever
had, ever! No better praise than that.
The gardens are magnificent, you could spend many hours exploring the various areas and Lakes and admiring the legacy left by Lutyens and Jekyll.
The mill house is well worth a visit, lots of agricultural machinery from a bygone age and the early examples of light and electricity generation including acetylene for lighting the house!
We had a fabulous meal in the main restaurant outside by the contemporary fountain, my lamb on a skewer was first class and my partner loved her sea bream.
All the staff we encountered were really friendly.
Would love to return as there us si much to take in and all credit to the gardeners for there amazing efforts.
The house itself which is only partly renovated is worth a visit, it was once the HQ for the Somerset fire brigade so will require several years of work to restore it to its former glory.
Good secondhand book shop and gift shop too.
Highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, aandj7 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We made sure we planned a visit to break our journey home but didn't realise just how lovely and interesting Hestercombe is. So much to explore in the gardens, great history, book shop, plant shop, lovely restaurant and cafe.
Mos of all though is the wonderful peace and expanse of the gardens.
Not far off the motorway and a great way to break any journey through the area.
Mos of all though is the wonderful peace and expanse of the gardens.
Not far off the motorway and a great way to break any journey through the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2023, LyndaHM said about Hestercombe Gardens
For same price could visit somewhere like Chatsworth which has far better gardens. Rose's look sickly and need of a good prune, not been dead headed in a while. Only the area in front of the house is planted up the rest is parkland. OK for a quiet afternoon but not at that price. Ok but wouldn't call it outstanding.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk