Local Reviews
In September 2015, Nick S said about Hestercombe Gardens
We have been numerous times to the gardens. They are worth the entry fee but if you are more than a couple of visits I would suggest an annual pass as its more cost effective. There is a great cafe that is dog friendly and the gardens are flea pot for dogs as long as on leads.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2015, bryn a said about Hestercombe Gardens
nicely kept. tidy gardens but not an attraction i would come back personally for as i found it a bit boring
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, eddon1983 said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a beautifully laid out garden, a lovely place to visit on a sunny day. There are laid gardens and a lot of walks through trees and lakes. The views are great and when we were there they had a wedding in progress The old house had a gallery showing an exhibition of photographs. They have a nice cafe at the entrance for refreshments and in the house they have a formal restaurant serving afternoon teas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, Em F said about Hestercombe Gardens
Beautiful gardens, no matter what time of year, the views are stunning. Cafe lovely, as is the shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, rock_a_bye_10 said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a lovely place to visit and browse plus the fact you can have a coffee and a slice of cake or other choice of food
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, Tallsally2323 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We had a lovely walk up winding pathways, with several follies and amazing views across the gardens and valleys. Garden influenced by Gertrude Jekell
Reminded me of Helligan, as this garden has been lovingly restored. Good plant shop, plus garden related items for sale. Also enjoyed tea in the courtyard, plus scrumptious chocolate cake.
Reminded me of Helligan, as this garden has been lovingly restored. Good plant shop, plus garden related items for sale. Also enjoyed tea in the courtyard, plus scrumptious chocolate cake.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, JoJo00007 said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a great place to visit for people of all ages, whether it's a sunny day or a crisp winter morning. It's also good fun at Christmas and Halloween.
The restaurant is also good, although it can make for an expensive visit if all four of us go in for tea and cake. I wish they'd make the cakes a little smaller and charge a little less.
The restaurant is also good, although it can make for an expensive visit if all four of us go in for tea and cake. I wish they'd make the cakes a little smaller and charge a little less.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, family_manDevon said about Hestercombe Gardens
Firstly, Hestercombe is not owned by the National Trust but by its own small independent charity. It is a lovely, somewhat undiscovered, gem with a mixture of landscape gardens, formal gardens and woodland walks. At each turn there is a different view, something else to look at and a variety of plants to explore. It is different at every season so it does not matter when you come here - there are always delights to see. I have brought family members of all ages here ranging from age 5 up to 85 and all have enjoyed the experience.
For the young there is a small play area, witches hut, swan, ducks and fish to feed and plenty of space to run around. A lot of the gardens are wheel chair friendly, although it was not designed with accessibility in mind back in the 18th century so there are some areas that are not accessible. You are able to borrow wheel chairs and there is also a motorised cross country disabled scooter for hire.
The house is now a contemporary art gallery with varying exhibitions on. Sadly it is suffering from the ravages caused by previously being owned by a local authority and only slowly managing to get back to a little of how it may once have looked. There is a second hand bookshop, and a most excellent tea room which is open for lunch and afternoon tea. This is the Column Room restaurant and serves a more upmarket menu than that available in the cafe at the main visitor centre.
The visitor centre has a gift shop, plant centre and an excellent cafe serving hot and cold food, all prepared to order, and excellent home made cakes. My wife and I had lunch here and she declared that the food was "just as good as on the Orient Express" - high praise indeed!
This makes for a lovely day/afternoon out no matter what the season and what I like is the friendliness without the "educational" element that you get at a National Trust property. Very much recommended.
For the young there is a small play area, witches hut, swan, ducks and fish to feed and plenty of space to run around. A lot of the gardens are wheel chair friendly, although it was not designed with accessibility in mind back in the 18th century so there are some areas that are not accessible. You are able to borrow wheel chairs and there is also a motorised cross country disabled scooter for hire.
The house is now a contemporary art gallery with varying exhibitions on. Sadly it is suffering from the ravages caused by previously being owned by a local authority and only slowly managing to get back to a little of how it may once have looked. There is a second hand bookshop, and a most excellent tea room which is open for lunch and afternoon tea. This is the Column Room restaurant and serves a more upmarket menu than that available in the cafe at the main visitor centre.
The visitor centre has a gift shop, plant centre and an excellent cafe serving hot and cold food, all prepared to order, and excellent home made cakes. My wife and I had lunch here and she declared that the food was "just as good as on the Orient Express" - high praise indeed!
This makes for a lovely day/afternoon out no matter what the season and what I like is the friendliness without the "educational" element that you get at a National Trust property. Very much recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, BOBOK777 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Our visit greatly exceeded our expectations - interesting walks,beautiful gardens,really good cafe!
We'd known of the gardens for some years when staying in Somerset with friends however never made the effort to visit, I only wish we had - a really enjoyable few hours.
Of particular note was the welcome,in the lower lake,from the resident kingfisher!
So good also not to feel 'ripped off' in an attraction's cafe - here we met friendly,helpful staff serving very good food at reasonable prices.
We'll be back!
(Our Somerset friends were so impressed they took out a season ticket!)
We'd known of the gardens for some years when staying in Somerset with friends however never made the effort to visit, I only wish we had - a really enjoyable few hours.
Of particular note was the welcome,in the lower lake,from the resident kingfisher!
So good also not to feel 'ripped off' in an attraction's cafe - here we met friendly,helpful staff serving very good food at reasonable prices.
We'll be back!
(Our Somerset friends were so impressed they took out a season ticket!)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2015, Barbara said about Hestercombe Gardens
If you haven't been to Hestercombe for a few years it is worth a visit to see how it has changed. The industrial mill has been restored and there is a cafe and shop. The gardens are a mixture now of restored formal and meandering paths around less formal areas. Worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk