Local Reviews
In September 2024, Serena said about Hestercombe Gardens
Great day out for a long ramble. Lots of beautiful places to stop and picnic, ramble about and explore.
Witchy huts, secluded woods, old barrack buildings and temple style buildings. Several large ponds and a waterfall, ponds with lots of ducks and a resident swan too. (You can get bags of duck/fish food from reception)
Some of the pathways are very steep and unsuitable for people with limited walking function, but these paths are clearly marked. Plenty of meadows and winding pathways to explore for the dogs, and a small play area at the start of Hestercombe. (There were dog water bowls placed about the grounds too)
There are toilets at the start, the restaurant area, and the building with the old farm machinery by the duck ponds and in the main house. There's a good selection of hot foods and cakes from the restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Lots of benches are scattered throughout the grounds for regular rest stops. The more formal gardens are beautiful with their flower beds and walkways, overall a very enjoyable day out.
Witchy huts, secluded woods, old barrack buildings and temple style buildings. Several large ponds and a waterfall, ponds with lots of ducks and a resident swan too. (You can get bags of duck/fish food from reception)
Some of the pathways are very steep and unsuitable for people with limited walking function, but these paths are clearly marked. Plenty of meadows and winding pathways to explore for the dogs, and a small play area at the start of Hestercombe. (There were dog water bowls placed about the grounds too)
There are toilets at the start, the restaurant area, and the building with the old farm machinery by the duck ponds and in the main house. There's a good selection of hot foods and cakes from the restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Lots of benches are scattered throughout the grounds for regular rest stops. The more formal gardens are beautiful with their flower beds and walkways, overall a very enjoyable day out.
Source: google.com
In September 2024, Judith Armstrong said about Hestercombe Gardens
Beautiful gardens and a lovely venue for a wedding. The shop and art exhibition were interesting and the cafe/restaurant was very good.; situated in the stable block with a picturesque courtyard
Source: google.com
In October 2024, Nick Parker said about Hestercombe Gardens
As always the exhibition in the gallery was good. Frustrated at having to endure table service in the cafe. Didn't tour the house or gardens
Source: google.com
In October 2024, Robin Mat said about Hestercombe Gardens
A lovely place to visit, the garden is really nice with plenty to see! If you get hungry, there's a delightful eatery by a charming water fountain where you can grab a bite to eat.
However, I'm giving it 3 stars because the waterfall, the main attraction, was barely flowing when I visited. After following the stream, it was clear the reason was due to it being clogged with leaves and debris in every section. To improve the experience, the stream really needs to be cleaned, so visitors can fully enjoy the beauty of the waterfall.
However, I'm giving it 3 stars because the waterfall, the main attraction, was barely flowing when I visited. After following the stream, it was clear the reason was due to it being clogged with leaves and debris in every section. To improve the experience, the stream really needs to be cleaned, so visitors can fully enjoy the beauty of the waterfall.
Source: google.com
In October 2024, Loosecanons said about Hestercombe Gardens
What a lovely visit. The gardens are beautiful. The people at the ticket office were so helpful and together with great service our lunch was tasty and fantastic value. Thank you
Source: google.com
In October 2024, Howard Mascall said about Hestercombe Gardens
A great place for a walk with both a landscape and formal garden, there is always something to see.
Source: google.com
In November 2024, Julian Dawson said about Hestercombe Gardens
This only came into the ownership of the Trust in 2013 after being council run since just after WWII. This is a long term project which deserves support, it is also interesting to see it evolve as changes are implemented.
Super restaurant in the old stables which have been painstakingly preserved and the gardens are really enjoyable. The house is a work in progress and it is a delight to see it come back to life.
Super restaurant in the old stables which have been painstakingly preserved and the gardens are really enjoyable. The house is a work in progress and it is a delight to see it come back to life.
Source: google.com
In November 2024, Tony Berthon said about Hestercombe Gardens
Cafe only but very good and nice staff
Source: google.com
In November 2024, John Filipo said about Hestercombe Gardens
The Gardens are amazing
The staff there are friendly and helpful
Nice place to eat as well 👌
The staff there are friendly and helpful
Nice place to eat as well 👌
Source: google.com
In November 2024, Emi C said about Hestercombe Gardens
Beautiful place, but could be better cared for and safeguarded inside. Kids were running wild around the inside of this magnificent house, and it shows, as the walls and skirting boards are all scratched and in poor shape. They need staff there supervising people and maintaining some control really, as unfortunately these days, parents and their kids just have no respect for anything. It was sad to see how families were treating the place. Something has shifted in the way people behave in the last 10 years, and all kids seem to be completely out of control and destructive, while the parents remain willfully oblivious and zombie like.
Also noticed that many of the beautiful, incredibly old original paintings on the walls had got all scratched and no effort had been made to preserve or protect them.
Unfortunately, I fear this magnificent house and its beautiful paintings will not last long if it continues to be treated this way.
It all made me feel incredibly sad to see this.
I always wanted to volunteer at one of these places to contribute to the preservation of history, however, I think I would be incredibly embittered seeing people treating it in such a way as all the hard work of volunteers would be in vain.
Also noticed that many of the beautiful, incredibly old original paintings on the walls had got all scratched and no effort had been made to preserve or protect them.
Unfortunately, I fear this magnificent house and its beautiful paintings will not last long if it continues to be treated this way.
It all made me feel incredibly sad to see this.
I always wanted to volunteer at one of these places to contribute to the preservation of history, however, I think I would be incredibly embittered seeing people treating it in such a way as all the hard work of volunteers would be in vain.
Source: google.com