Local Reviews
In June 2026, David H said about Hestercombe Gardens
HESTERCOMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS
Situated just outside my home town of Taunton, this is well worth a visit.
The original gardens were later influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, who laid out the Victoria Terrace, and by Edwin Lutyens who both designed parts of the garden and the orangery.
A lot of the history is on display in the house with an introductory film.
There is a book shop and plants for sake and the cafe using local produce has a covered seating area.
Free to Historic Houses member.
Situated just outside my home town of Taunton, this is well worth a visit.
The original gardens were later influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, who laid out the Victoria Terrace, and by Edwin Lutyens who both designed parts of the garden and the orangery.
A lot of the history is on display in the house with an introductory film.
There is a book shop and plants for sake and the cafe using local produce has a covered seating area.
Free to Historic Houses member.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2021, 910brygom said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
The hotel has changed a lot since our last visit 20 years ago. There was a queue at reception due to an awkward group of guests tying up one receptionist. Our room was massive, very clean, super comfortable beds and plenty of towels for the three of us. Breakfast was generally good, but only a limited range of cereals and the hot selection was not replenished quickly enough whilst we were there. Excellent value for money compared to the wedding venue where we had spent the two previous nights. We will certainly return if the need arises.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2021, heavoh86 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
I attended the SPA having been bought a voucher (Buy a gift) for Christmas 2019 (Due to COVID we had to extend voucher - there was no issues with this) I went with my Sister in Law and we both agreed we will be going again. It was a lovely relaxing day. We both had a facial and a massage along with some lunch, the Tapas was amazing, not something I would normally choose, however I was not disappointed. All staff are very friendly and approachable. I did find before visiting it was difficult to get through to somebody on the phone, I manage it in the end, but I do feel an answering machine may possibly assist! We had the pleasure of the sun on our day so was able to sit in the nice garden out front. Hopefully be back soon with my partner. We didn't go in the hotel.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2021, Debbie H said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
A lovely country hotel and lady who greeted us at reception was lovely and friendly. Booked into a twin room which.was very spacious and had had 2 double beds, lovely bathroom but that's where it ends. Room boiling hot and no fan plus one of the big windows was painted shut so you couldn't open it. Room view was lovely, but the roar of the M65 in the distance wasn't, so bring earplugs! Asked to book a table for dinner, but was asked if we were on a package?!!! Said no, so was asked to come back after 5pm to see if space as that's when their package guest list comes out. Went back and no availability at all for dinner. Suggested we go to local town for dinner. Erm no that is not what I wanted to do after a 4 and a half hour drive, but had no choice. Had to pay for a taxi there and back with only 1 restaurant open as it was a Monday. On our way out heard reception guiding people who had just checked in to restaurant area, wanted to say no chance of dinner unless you're on a package!!. I have never been to a hotel where you can't book a table to eat. Also the bar area or outside seating area can't serve food as asked to sit there to eat. How ridiculous is that! Luckily the £10 car park fee has been suspended for now, as I certainly wouldn't have paid it due to the above. Thank goodness we only stayed for 1 night. Heard other people complaining too about the fact they couldn't book a table, so wasn't just us.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2021, Sally_Andrew said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
We booked a package for my best friend birthday. I was beginning to regret it after reading the reviews but couldn’t have been happier. The staff without exception were so friendly and helpful- special shout out to Alissa and Aziz who were superb.
The dinner and breakfast we’re excellent, house wine was good, service great, rooms large, clean and comfortable.
A really good stay and we would definitely return.
The dinner and breakfast we’re excellent, house wine was good, service great, rooms large, clean and comfortable.
A really good stay and we would definitely return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2021, Jane B said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
The long awaited Wedding Day finally day came and it was everything we had hoped for and more.
Karen and her team made the whole process stress free and took care of every last detail to ensure that we were in a position just to enjoy the day.
The venue - The Dunkenhalgh hotel is the perfect venue from the approach down a tree lined driveway and then to be greeted by a 700 year old manor house full of character and style...simply stunning with lots of great places for lovely wedding pics
The staff - the reception staff were warm and welcoming, the wedding day mc, Edweena, was friendly, efficient, always smiling and had absolutely everything under control at all times. Although there had been some relaxation to the covid rules, Edweena and her team managed the day and it felt totally normal
The room - we used the Townley Suite and had around 70 guests and it was just perfect, although room for a few more if required. The room opened out in to the gardens and because it was such a lovely day Edweena arranged for garden furniture to be laid out . It was like a beautiful summer garden party, being served canapes and fizz, with the string quartet playing in the background
The food - everyone at the wedding could not praise the food highly enough, it was absolutely delicious and where necessary the kitchen catered for the veggies and vegans. We couldn't have asked for more
The accommodation - the entire hotel had been refurbished during one of the lockdown periods and it now looks modern, contemporary and fresh. What a transformation. Our guests commented on how lovely their bedrooms were and would definitely be back for a longer stay.
All in all, impossible to fault any of the organising, flow of the day, surroundings, environment, food, service, people. It was all just perfect and to top it off terrific value for a venue of this calibre.
Thanks you Dunkenhalgh Team
Karen and her team made the whole process stress free and took care of every last detail to ensure that we were in a position just to enjoy the day.
The venue - The Dunkenhalgh hotel is the perfect venue from the approach down a tree lined driveway and then to be greeted by a 700 year old manor house full of character and style...simply stunning with lots of great places for lovely wedding pics
The staff - the reception staff were warm and welcoming, the wedding day mc, Edweena, was friendly, efficient, always smiling and had absolutely everything under control at all times. Although there had been some relaxation to the covid rules, Edweena and her team managed the day and it felt totally normal
The room - we used the Townley Suite and had around 70 guests and it was just perfect, although room for a few more if required. The room opened out in to the gardens and because it was such a lovely day Edweena arranged for garden furniture to be laid out . It was like a beautiful summer garden party, being served canapes and fizz, with the string quartet playing in the background
The food - everyone at the wedding could not praise the food highly enough, it was absolutely delicious and where necessary the kitchen catered for the veggies and vegans. We couldn't have asked for more
The accommodation - the entire hotel had been refurbished during one of the lockdown periods and it now looks modern, contemporary and fresh. What a transformation. Our guests commented on how lovely their bedrooms were and would definitely be back for a longer stay.
All in all, impossible to fault any of the organising, flow of the day, surroundings, environment, food, service, people. It was all just perfect and to top it off terrific value for a venue of this calibre.
Thanks you Dunkenhalgh Team
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, rebeccahodgson2 said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
I had rang two days before to secure room 72 and told this would be put against my details, on the system as loyalty card holder. Room had been given away to someone else. My room booking had not been made however the girl on reception was a little hostile.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, W6837QWstephenc said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
We stayed there on Wednesday the 5/8/2021. From start to finish everything was spot on. We got there a little earler than expected so went into the bar and had a coffee and some soup. Checked in and found the room to be fantastic, could not fault it in any way. Every staff member we cam in contact with was so friendly, helpful and smiling. They couldn't do enough for us. The spa was superb, everything clean and sanitised, pool was a good size (personally would prefer a deeper pool than the 3ft something the pool is but it was very clean). Jacuzzi was good although not easy to turn on, but maybe that was just us. We tried the sauna and the steam room, all a great temperature. I tried the plunge shower (maybe called something else technically) it certainly woke me up.
The evening meal was great. I had the pizza but could not finish it because of the size. It was delicious (as was the soup and the cheesecake.
I can see why this hotel would be a favourite for weddings etc.
The hotel grounds were well kept but too much opportunity to walk round it.
If your looking for somewhere to stay or have your wedding or other 'get together' this is the hotel for you.
We will certainly be back.
Thank you to all the staff who made our stay so memorable.
The evening meal was great. I had the pizza but could not finish it because of the size. It was delicious (as was the soup and the cheesecake.
I can see why this hotel would be a favourite for weddings etc.
The hotel grounds were well kept but too much opportunity to walk round it.
If your looking for somewhere to stay or have your wedding or other 'get together' this is the hotel for you.
We will certainly be back.
Thank you to all the staff who made our stay so memorable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, Peter C said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Room was large clean and showers was hot and powerful, staff in bar were helpful
stayed on a Sunday night and there were 2 weddings taking place - you may want to ask for a room away from main events rooms - there are tables and chair layed out directly under the windows of rooms i think I was lucky as the wedding near my room finished around 11 and weather was not great so people were not outside much.
The hotel does not reply to telephone calls or emails, we called before arrival to check about car charging and after about an item we left behind.
While the hotel has a car charger is tucked in a Corner and parking bays are marked for disabled parking - they were block by van on arrival and other non electric cars over night.
stayed on a Sunday night and there were 2 weddings taking place - you may want to ask for a room away from main events rooms - there are tables and chair layed out directly under the windows of rooms i think I was lucky as the wedding near my room finished around 11 and weather was not great so people were not outside much.
The hotel does not reply to telephone calls or emails, we called before arrival to check about car charging and after about an item we left behind.
While the hotel has a car charger is tucked in a Corner and parking bays are marked for disabled parking - they were block by van on arrival and other non electric cars over night.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In August 2021, Liz n Guy said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
The staff were a credit to the hotel; very helpful and friendly especially the bar lady that offered to make a cocktail from fresh when she informed us there was no cocktail menu. Disappointing that there's no cocktail menu though?!
The waiting staff work tirelessly in the restaurant and at breakfast. We were surprised to see the same staff at breakfast that had worked the previous evening, looking happy and fresh and being just as helpful.
I paid to upgrade to the best rooms (privilege) and the rooms were ok. Not outstanding, just satisfactory. No biscuits, only 4 milks, no glasses for a glass of water at bedtime, no special toiletries; I was expecting Elemis or something similar but got branded Dunkenhalgh shampoo! They annoyingly have a lid that you snap off so once they're opened you can't take them home anyway. Not that we wanted Dunk branded toiletries though!
The most frustrating thing was they accommodated us right opposite the function room with a Country & Western birthday party going on into the early hours. Why have the best rooms opposite a function room?! And why put guests who are obviously not at the function in the rooms opposite the function room?! None of us got any sleep, it was terrible. I suggest future guests reading this; take a peak out of your window, if you can see the court yard and there's a function you're not at - move!!!!
It was a lovely touch that they left a box of chocolates and a card in one of the rooms; we were celebrating a Golden Wedding which I had mentioned in the notes on booking. I didn’t know about it though so it was just luck that the happy couple chose the correct room. They were very pleased with them.
The spa was pleasant and the treatments lush, although there were no towels so we had to use the ones from our room which wasn’t very nice when they got wet and soggy at the spa and we were expected to use them to get ready for the evening. We had been informed of this on check in and apologised to that they had not had a delivery of towels in 3 days. Maybe a courtesy call to us the day before would have been nice though and we would have brought our own.
The food was good, but limited in choice and frustratingly didn’t specify on the mains whether they were veggie or not. The starters had the V and GF symbols but not the mains. We all ordered food to be told that is veggie to change to something else which was also veggie!
The food was included in our package which was a nice surprise to get the full 3 courses included. Unfortunately one of our party was not feeling too well in the evening so swapped his main for a side salad. I was surprised to be charged for this on departure.
Breakfast was ok, however the scrambled egg was cold and it would have been nice to have tomatoes and mushrooms on offer. Nice sausages though and I liked the hash browns.
All in all an ok stay, but if I was to book another spa break I would probably look further afield.
The waiting staff work tirelessly in the restaurant and at breakfast. We were surprised to see the same staff at breakfast that had worked the previous evening, looking happy and fresh and being just as helpful.
I paid to upgrade to the best rooms (privilege) and the rooms were ok. Not outstanding, just satisfactory. No biscuits, only 4 milks, no glasses for a glass of water at bedtime, no special toiletries; I was expecting Elemis or something similar but got branded Dunkenhalgh shampoo! They annoyingly have a lid that you snap off so once they're opened you can't take them home anyway. Not that we wanted Dunk branded toiletries though!
The most frustrating thing was they accommodated us right opposite the function room with a Country & Western birthday party going on into the early hours. Why have the best rooms opposite a function room?! And why put guests who are obviously not at the function in the rooms opposite the function room?! None of us got any sleep, it was terrible. I suggest future guests reading this; take a peak out of your window, if you can see the court yard and there's a function you're not at - move!!!!
It was a lovely touch that they left a box of chocolates and a card in one of the rooms; we were celebrating a Golden Wedding which I had mentioned in the notes on booking. I didn’t know about it though so it was just luck that the happy couple chose the correct room. They were very pleased with them.
The spa was pleasant and the treatments lush, although there were no towels so we had to use the ones from our room which wasn’t very nice when they got wet and soggy at the spa and we were expected to use them to get ready for the evening. We had been informed of this on check in and apologised to that they had not had a delivery of towels in 3 days. Maybe a courtesy call to us the day before would have been nice though and we would have brought our own.
The food was good, but limited in choice and frustratingly didn’t specify on the mains whether they were veggie or not. The starters had the V and GF symbols but not the mains. We all ordered food to be told that is veggie to change to something else which was also veggie!
The food was included in our package which was a nice surprise to get the full 3 courses included. Unfortunately one of our party was not feeling too well in the evening so swapped his main for a side salad. I was surprised to be charged for this on departure.
Breakfast was ok, however the scrambled egg was cold and it would have been nice to have tomatoes and mushrooms on offer. Nice sausages though and I liked the hash browns.
All in all an ok stay, but if I was to book another spa break I would probably look further afield.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk