Local Reviews
In June 2019, Jubilee Girl said about Hestercombe Gardens
There are some really beautiful parts to the gardens. But it’s all a bit halfhearted. I’m sure more could be made of this amazing space. It’s basically a very expensive walk. National Trust gardens are fabulous and well maintained. This seems a wasted opportunity to create something fabulous. Bare areas of soil, loads of weeds and too much nepeta. I appreciate that this is an independent charity who own Hestercombe, but it is lacking so much. Strange school dinner smells near the main buildings put us off staying for lunch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, cherylpl said about Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe house is a grand historic place to wander around magnificent grounds. There are short or long walks with a lovely Restuarant to relax in after. Never tire of visiting.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, MM2H said about Hestercombe Gardens
Having wanted to visit Hestercombe for a while, we took advantage of a 2-for-1 pay-in-advance offer to visit in June.
The house and grounds have only been in their present ownership for just over six years, and the plan is to bring the gardens back to their one-time glory. Given the scale of the place, this is going to take decades!
There are some lovely walks out through the wilder and more distant parts of the gardens, and some pretty views. Closer to the house (not the point of the visit and unrestored), the formal gardens are more uptogether but by no means spectacular.
If you go not expecting a pristine garden in the style of the RHS, you will find it pleasant. Whether or not you find it worth the considerable entry fee (this is a charity doing valuable work), can only be down to personal opinion.
The house and grounds have only been in their present ownership for just over six years, and the plan is to bring the gardens back to their one-time glory. Given the scale of the place, this is going to take decades!
There are some lovely walks out through the wilder and more distant parts of the gardens, and some pretty views. Closer to the house (not the point of the visit and unrestored), the formal gardens are more uptogether but by no means spectacular.
If you go not expecting a pristine garden in the style of the RHS, you will find it pleasant. Whether or not you find it worth the considerable entry fee (this is a charity doing valuable work), can only be down to personal opinion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, Richard said about Hestercombe Gardens
Very large, beautiful, well laid out gardens. Lots of walks to enjoy and trails to explore, especially the waterfall. Interesting informative boards in the indoor mill house. Art exhibition in the house was not to my taste. Nice snack in the stables cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, Allsopp_M said about Hestercombe Gardens
Visited numerous times and the gardens are pretty, the walk pleasant and the environment nice. The open cafe/lunch area is nice to sit in and eat and though the food quality can be variable it is generally very good.
The column rooms however is a terrible let down. Water damaged ceilings that have been for ages, fluorescent strip lights on the ceiling and nasty looking seating. This is combined with sadly poor and uncompromising service.
It should be a gorgeous room, but sadly it just feels totally unloved.
Remove the strip lighting, tidy it up and show it some love. Then you’d have a place people would want to come back to.
The column rooms however is a terrible let down. Water damaged ceilings that have been for ages, fluorescent strip lights on the ceiling and nasty looking seating. This is combined with sadly poor and uncompromising service.
It should be a gorgeous room, but sadly it just feels totally unloved.
Remove the strip lighting, tidy it up and show it some love. Then you’d have a place people would want to come back to.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, Harry2706 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Called in on a cycle ride for coffee and cake,
The usual national trust cafe,
Served by young ladies , very pleasant but no go in them at all,wondering around just like they have all the time in the world.
Mocha very nice, chocolate orange cake lovely. Visit had the edge taken off of it at the till by the charmless grumpy man expecting me to pay by contactless payment without even telling me how much I owed, when I pointed this out , I was told I should have been looking at the card reassert as it was on there,
Not impressed with him at all .
Very unprofessional by someone representing Hestercombe House
The usual national trust cafe,
Served by young ladies , very pleasant but no go in them at all,wondering around just like they have all the time in the world.
Mocha very nice, chocolate orange cake lovely. Visit had the edge taken off of it at the till by the charmless grumpy man expecting me to pay by contactless payment without even telling me how much I owed, when I pointed this out , I was told I should have been looking at the card reassert as it was on there,
Not impressed with him at all .
Very unprofessional by someone representing Hestercombe House
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, jackiegeoff said about Hestercombe Gardens
we took our grandchildren here , it was a lovely day out they have a nice cafe there that does cream teas
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, Thelma M said about Hestercombe Gardens
Very enjoyable stroll through these lovely gardens once more. Good selection of my favourite namiesa scented plants too. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, wisteria_10 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Plenty of car parking. We enjoy walking to the far end of the Estate, listening to the birds and taking in the panoramas. The videos are very interesting and well worth watching. The formal gardens are beautiful, especially as the roses were in full bloom. We booked to go to the Column Restaurant for Sunday lunch and thoroughly enjoyed an extremely good main meal and dessert. This is silver service which made it very special. The waitresses were delightful and efficient. Highly recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2019, nakuru1956 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Went to Hestercombe today. Had an excellent day. Nearly six hours passed by in a flash. We first of all walked around the garden using a map that we were given with our ticket. The map was a very good guide and gives all the paths and points of interest within the garden.
We then went to the 'Stable' Cafe. Plenty of choice both hot and cold meals, soup, and drinks. The cafe was clean, inviting and the staff agentive.
After lunch we walked around the Lutyens designed formal garden.
Lovely day, lovely staff.
We then went to the 'Stable' Cafe. Plenty of choice both hot and cold meals, soup, and drinks. The cafe was clean, inviting and the staff agentive.
After lunch we walked around the Lutyens designed formal garden.
Lovely day, lovely staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk