Local Reviews
In July 2017, Voyager2 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We travelled over 2 hours to visit having seen the gardens on TV and read about them and the house.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Location is a delight, but be aware that the house and gardens are in various stages of early restoration, more so than we had expected.
The house. Overall in poor condition but they are doing their best to use it profitably. Sadly the advertised art gallery was closed, as was too the restaurant the day we visited. This left a short walk around the ground floor and the rather inadequate bookshop. It has nothing on interest, having been cleared from past users.
The gardens. Quite a lot has been done to open up the gardens as they were originally and there is a pleasant 2 hour walk incorporating woods, lakes, several buildings and views all on good walking paths. We enjoyed this part. The formal gardens were disappointing and not what we were expecting after seeing them on TV. Just a few beds planted very different from the original. Clearly lots of work to do, looks like they need a small army of dedicated volunteers to keep it in shape.
Overall we thought it worth visiting. But it is a work in progress and that progress is going to be slow and expensive but the final product in years to come should be well worth it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Peter V said about Hestercombe Gardens
I had read some negative reviews of this attraction before visiting but you need to appreciate that this is a work in progress and will take years to complete. It started 800 years ago, became overgrown and lost now being slowly and lovingly restored. Newish visitor centre and the house is also now open. Formal gardens were a bit disappointing but see my opening comment. It's a fair walk round but well worth the effort, walking shoes recommended. Don't go in the rain. Well signposted and plenty of parking even an electric vehicle charging point. Well worth the visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, grumpypete2014 said about Hestercombe Gardens
First time visitor, and most impressed by the whole experience. Nice blend of formal gardens, landscape gardens, meadows, orchard, buildings, views and eating places.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Thought the sandwiches in the stable cafe seemed a bit expensive until the waitress brought them to our table - they are a meal on their own!
It's probably worth allowing a few hours to fully explore the place.
Advance purchase of tickets gives you a 15% saving.
2 fo 1 admission available to holders of the Gardeners World card (available with the May issue of the magazine) as well as many other gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Heather R said about Hestercombe Gardens
Lovely walk through a woodland garden - cool on a hot day! A few shopping opportunities, 2nd hand bookshop etc. Cafe has good food and drink but a shame they allow dogs in, and all over the furniture.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Edwin T said about Hestercombe Gardens
These gardens are of real importance with Lutyen's designs (and his famous benches) along with evidence of the original planting by Gertrude Jekyll. For me, the important thing is that it's all dog friendly (on a lead) The long walk in the wider park is wonderful with the variety of shelters and created views and this contrasts with the formality of the house garden. Paths could be better for mobility scooters but a must visit place for lovers of gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Ray G said about Hestercombe Gardens
Really good pleasant and extensive cultivated natural grounds with beautiful formal gardens close to the house. Lovely semi formal dining in the Comom Room and good self service eating in the stables.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, paulbcornwall said about Hestercombe Gardens
We attended a family wedding here and had a great day at the gardens! Bear in mind it was mid-February, wet, and cold, as you would expect of Somerset that time of year, but the staff made the day memorable! We started in the orangery for drinks after the wedding, which had been elsewhere, then out to the gardens during a break in the weather for photos, followed by dinner and dancing in the reception area. The staff did a great job making the day and night flow freely and the buildings and gardens are beautiful, even in the beastly weather. Definitely a must-see!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, ObjectiveObservers said about Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe had been on our bucket list for quite a while but did not quite live up to expectations. Dominated by a large and hideous house (mainly used as art gallery & wedding venue) the gardens are relatively small and the formal areas quite meagre. The planting did not seem particularly interesting. Sorry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, AndrewSG said about Hestercombe Gardens
We had a cup of coffee on arrival and then spent an enjoyable couple of hours walking around the gardens and lakes. There are some stunning views from the higher parts of the gardens.
Unfortunately we didn't have time for a detailed look around the formal gardens but viewed them from the terrace, even from there they looked very nice and I was sorry not to have the time to stroll around them. I'll have to leave that for another visit.
Unfortunately we didn't have time for a detailed look around the formal gardens but viewed them from the terrace, even from there they looked very nice and I was sorry not to have the time to stroll around them. I'll have to leave that for another visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2017, Anita J said about Hestercombe Gardens
Certainly worth a visit - woodland walks, waterfall and beautiful house with formal rose gardens. Good views of Taunton Deane from the top of the hidden valley and the folley can be seen from The Obridge Viaduct if you look to the hills at 10 passed 12 going towards Priorswood.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk