Local Reviews
In September 2016, Eileen S said about Hestercombe Gardens
The gardens in front of the house were nice but not very colourful, not very accessible as there are lots of steps. We looked for the cascade but was hard to find as there was no water coming down. The woodland walk away from the house you need good sturdy shoes. I didn't go into the house as we had a dog. The cafe is worth a visit as the food is delicious.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, Mike P said about Hestercombe Gardens
Visited with my wife.
Lovely gardens to look around. You can spend hours looking around the gardens if you wish.
Good food on offer in cafe.
A great day out for either families or couples.
Lovely gardens to look around. You can spend hours looking around the gardens if you wish.
Good food on offer in cafe.
A great day out for either families or couples.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, James H said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a nice place for a special lunch as the restaurant overlooks the formal gardens and you can see the weather rolling in off the hills and the light changing over the vale of Taunton which is spectacular. It was August so of course it was raining!
The food was very nice, but not outstanding and not particularly generous. The starters were tasty and homemade breads accompanied made a nice touch ( we had sardines, soup, terrine) and then three of us had fish with samphire. It was huge portion of samphire, which is a strong flavour, and some of it quite woody, so it became a bit overpowering and boring. The fish (lemon sole) was cooked beautifully, though small filets, and the sauce was ok. It really could have done with a couple of nice buttered new potatoes (and less samphire) to complete the dish especially as no side dishes of veg were on the menu to be ordered if I recall correctly. The fourth person had a Moroccan chicken dish which was very good, although again a bit of a delicate portion. Puds were very nice and filled us up where the fish hadn't quite done so.
We enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine and service was excellent. It is a little lacking in ambience without any music but thankfully there were a few other tables in.
Overall, it was very good but didn't leave us enthused to rush back. Think about the atmosphere with some light music and if you are doing fine dining and charge accordingly, then it needs to really hit the mark with a bit more oomph in terms of depth of flavours and balance in the dishes. This might seem picky but it just fell a little flat for us. In this setting, though, loads of potential!
The food was very nice, but not outstanding and not particularly generous. The starters were tasty and homemade breads accompanied made a nice touch ( we had sardines, soup, terrine) and then three of us had fish with samphire. It was huge portion of samphire, which is a strong flavour, and some of it quite woody, so it became a bit overpowering and boring. The fish (lemon sole) was cooked beautifully, though small filets, and the sauce was ok. It really could have done with a couple of nice buttered new potatoes (and less samphire) to complete the dish especially as no side dishes of veg were on the menu to be ordered if I recall correctly. The fourth person had a Moroccan chicken dish which was very good, although again a bit of a delicate portion. Puds were very nice and filled us up where the fish hadn't quite done so.
We enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine and service was excellent. It is a little lacking in ambience without any music but thankfully there were a few other tables in.
Overall, it was very good but didn't leave us enthused to rush back. Think about the atmosphere with some light music and if you are doing fine dining and charge accordingly, then it needs to really hit the mark with a bit more oomph in terms of depth of flavours and balance in the dishes. This might seem picky but it just fell a little flat for us. In this setting, though, loads of potential!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, GHKC said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a beautiful garden. We went in September and expectations weren't high at this time of year. But we were blown away by the formal gardens, which combined ostensibly simple and clean design with exquisite arts and crafts detail. And we could take the dogs into the whole of the gardens. I suspect the gardens are great in all seasons.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In September 2016, Hankahl said about Hestercombe Gardens
Gardens are really beautiful . Get good walking shoes!! Lakes, bridges, hills,,stream, waterfall, .. Plenty to see. We spent 3-4 hrs there . It's more a day trip rather then quick visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2016, Alan B said about Hestercombe Gardens
Really nice gardens worth a visit. Pleasant food in cafe. Well laid out gardens with walks adaptable for short or long visits and degrees of ability.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2016, Jay E said about Hestercombe Gardens
Recently visited with my wife. We thought the gardens were lovely but the house is a waste of time. All the rooms are empty except for about 5 pictures on the ground floor, and a lot of the room walls have been covered and spoilt with modern panels? There were some other "art" exhibition paintings by modern painter, not my thing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2016, leinlondon said about Hestercombe Gardens
These gardens were our private playground when I was a child - they were completely overgrown and left to ruin, and my brother and I and other local children would sneak in when the grounds belonged to the fire service, build dens, fish in the lakes and generally enjoy our own little secret paradise from the time we were pushed out of the door of a morning during the summer holidays until it got dark or until we got hungry, whichever came first.
So it was with some trepidation that I returned with my own young family twenty years later, not wanting the shine to fade from my rose-tinted memories. The place has changed beyond recognition, but it was enchanting to discover as if for the first time the sweeping formal gardens that had been lying hidden during all the years we spent running through them, and which we had never seen through the masses of undergrowth. The work that must have gone into restoring them to their former Victorian splendour must have been enormous. The addition and restoration of various follies around the grounds makes for interesting walks. The bluebells in Spring are fabulous and the view from the Mausoleum my favourite - my daughter loves the Witch's House and the waterfall, she also loves feeding the ducks and there is a sweet little play area at the entrance. I don't know whether I'm biased by my happy memories but I love the place, and I'm so pleased it is being well looked after for others to now enjoy the way I did when I was a child - I bought a family membership a few years ago as I hope it can continue to be cared for and enjoyed for many years to come.
So it was with some trepidation that I returned with my own young family twenty years later, not wanting the shine to fade from my rose-tinted memories. The place has changed beyond recognition, but it was enchanting to discover as if for the first time the sweeping formal gardens that had been lying hidden during all the years we spent running through them, and which we had never seen through the masses of undergrowth. The work that must have gone into restoring them to their former Victorian splendour must have been enormous. The addition and restoration of various follies around the grounds makes for interesting walks. The bluebells in Spring are fabulous and the view from the Mausoleum my favourite - my daughter loves the Witch's House and the waterfall, she also loves feeding the ducks and there is a sweet little play area at the entrance. I don't know whether I'm biased by my happy memories but I love the place, and I'm so pleased it is being well looked after for others to now enjoy the way I did when I was a child - I bought a family membership a few years ago as I hope it can continue to be cared for and enjoyed for many years to come.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2016, Ian S said about Hestercombe Gardens
Had a great day in these amazing gardens. Fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. Cafe good great cakes and food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In October 2016, Yatesmabo said about Hestercombe Gardens
A stunning set of gardens and trees in a beautiful setting. Several lovely walks to explore various follies and ponds. Worth a visit but a tad pricey
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk