Local Reviews
In June 2016, Wendy H said about Hestercombe Gardens
We came here at a bank holiday week end but the woodland walk area & gardens are so big we didn't come across to many people, even the cafe was ok. Do get a free map when you arrive so you can find your way around the gardens, beautiful waterfall in the woodland area but if you have a child's buggy or a wheelchair you will struggle, uneven footpaths & very hilly in places and not many benches. If you do a full circuit could take the best part of an hour.
The formal gardens at the front of the house are beautiful with lots of Wisteria & daisies in the brickwork and quite a few benches around so you can sit and admire the views,
We did go in the house as we are HHA members so it didn't cost us any more but the house is empty except for some strange questionable art work.
The formal gardens at the front of the house are beautiful with lots of Wisteria & daisies in the brickwork and quite a few benches around so you can sit and admire the views,
We did go in the house as we are HHA members so it didn't cost us any more but the house is empty except for some strange questionable art work.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, SuzyLongwell said about Hestercombe Gardens
Extremely beautiful and peaceful gardens. We went with a couple of friends and decided to have a child free day, which was possibly was a good idea as I think we would of struggled pushing the push chair around.
There is a beautiful waterfall and woodland area. We also went into the house which was full of very 'interesting' art.
There is a beautiful waterfall and woodland area. We also went into the house which was full of very 'interesting' art.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, Jcpg45 said about Hestercombe Gardens
nice gardens to walk around but seen better at lower prices. a good example of Lutyens and Jeckyl working together
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, hhm501 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We went with our grandchildren and their parents to see the transformation of the combe which we used to know many years ago. What a fabulous place it has become - a real haven to refresh the spirits - away from the busy world. The planting and the landscaping are wonderful. The restaurant and the shop are a notch above the usual and it was entirely suitable for all ages. There are even many areas accessible to wheel-chairs/push-chairs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, AndrewJ25 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Lovely set of gardens set in a really pretty valley. We started by walking around gardens in the valley. It’s full of lots of paths to take but what you start to realise is that it’s all been planted and designed to highlight a specific view from a specific place. Once you realise that you really get a sense of how much time and thought went into the overall design and how effective is it. I loved the waterfall view from across the other side of the valley most.
Once we had finished walking we stopped by the plant shop to buy some very healthy looking plants then had lunch in the courtyard café – I had the falafel burger for lunch which was great. The courtyard is covered but open so a lovely place to sit. Staff we all great and good value too.
Once we had finished walking we stopped by the plant shop to buy some very healthy looking plants then had lunch in the courtyard café – I had the falafel burger for lunch which was great. The courtyard is covered but open so a lovely place to sit. Staff we all great and good value too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, Lee B said about Hestercombe Gardens
There is a predictability about the National Trust Properties that we came to rely on. There will be a skimpy, poorly designed web site that's almost comically stingy with information. There will be toilets reliably located at strategic points and dependably clean. There will be a gift shop. Always a gift shop.
Hestercombe is stubbornly resistant to those trends. The web site is splendid and information-rich, eager to persuade you to plan your wedding there. The toilets are harder to find. Of course, there is a gift shop.
The "three gardens" aspect of Hestercombe was interesting. For me, the most engaging was a long walk around the estate, with beautiful views of the manor house from several remote points. The water wheel was a big disappointment.
We were eager to see the last remaining baracks where American soldiers had lived when they were stationed at Hestercombe during World War II. It too was a bit of a disappointment: the information presented there was confined to a few readerboards, and there was forest debris littering the floor.
Hestercombe is stubbornly resistant to those trends. The web site is splendid and information-rich, eager to persuade you to plan your wedding there. The toilets are harder to find. Of course, there is a gift shop.
The "three gardens" aspect of Hestercombe was interesting. For me, the most engaging was a long walk around the estate, with beautiful views of the manor house from several remote points. The water wheel was a big disappointment.
We were eager to see the last remaining baracks where American soldiers had lived when they were stationed at Hestercombe during World War II. It too was a bit of a disappointment: the information presented there was confined to a few readerboards, and there was forest debris littering the floor.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, T-SGlobetrotters said about Hestercombe Gardens
These gardens have featured in top 20 lists of UK gardens to see, so we had been looking forward to the visit with high expectations. We were actually quite disappointed.
The more formal gardens were untidy and weed infestation rife. Even in the Edwardian garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, we gained the impression they were losing the battle in managing the garden efficiently. The wider landscaping structure was impressive but the tree selection was a fairly narrow with little in the way of differing colours and shapes. Most of the wooded areas were dominated by laurel with little in the way of Rhododendrons (apart from one small area) so the colour form was quite plain.
Later that day we day we visited Stourhead, which we felt was far superior.
The more formal gardens were untidy and weed infestation rife. Even in the Edwardian garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, we gained the impression they were losing the battle in managing the garden efficiently. The wider landscaping structure was impressive but the tree selection was a fairly narrow with little in the way of differing colours and shapes. Most of the wooded areas were dominated by laurel with little in the way of Rhododendrons (apart from one small area) so the colour form was quite plain.
Later that day we day we visited Stourhead, which we felt was far superior.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, TforTaunton said about Hestercombe Gardens
Popped I before walking around the grounds. No breakfast offerings as such which was disappointing but they did have a secret stash of teacakes behind the counter when we asked. Lovely courtyard seating area and lunch looked super.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, fishypioneer said about Hestercombe Gardens
Wonderful gardens to wander around. Variety of trees and plants to admire set in beautiful countryside.
Used the 2-4-1 Gardener's World card.
Used the 2-4-1 Gardener's World card.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2016, Barrie and Deir... T said about Hestercombe Gardens
The formal gardens by the house are very interesting and worth a close look - beautiful show of roses and burginia and sedums. Otherwise the rest of the gardens is very much a work in progress. The walks within the combe and the various 'temples', statuary etc are interesting, but overall it failed to meet our expectations.
The house is open to the public but is currently used as a gallery of modern art of debatable quality, which certainly didn't float our boat. The best 'original' room is the dining room which holds portraiture relating to previous owners of the estate.
We wouldn't wish to re-visit in the near future.
The house is open to the public but is currently used as a gallery of modern art of debatable quality, which certainly didn't float our boat. The best 'original' room is the dining room which holds portraiture relating to previous owners of the estate.
We wouldn't wish to re-visit in the near future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk