Local Reviews
In April 2018, Robert T said about Hestercombe Gardens
This place has some good history to it. The formal gardens that Gertrude Jekyl helped create look as if they are being restored to her original plans.
The walks around the site are great, lovely views and would have been excellent in better weather. The food in the Stables cafe is great. All the staff were very helpful
Would happily go again. Had to imagine what the gardens would look like in full bloom as we were there in April
The walks around the site are great, lovely views and would have been excellent in better weather. The food in the Stables cafe is great. All the staff were very helpful
Would happily go again. Had to imagine what the gardens would look like in full bloom as we were there in April
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2018, Malcolm N said about Hestercombe Gardens
Took the opportunity to make our first visit to the gardens while attending a wedding Fayre there. Firstly the venue for a wedding is absolutely stunning and secondly the gardens are wonderful and a credit to all those involved in the restoration. The very extensive gardens and walks offer panoramic views across the valley I was very impressed with the creative use of water features especially the waterfall. To cap a great afternoon, the food and drink in the cafe was good value and top quality. Will definitely be back again and am considering membership.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2018, eleanorandelwyn said about Hestercombe Gardens
Lovely gardens to walk around some steps so not easy for everyone. The woodland walks are accessible and well worth the walk to see the waterfalls . Nice cafe too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, paul b said about Hestercombe Gardens
Came hear today and was well worth the visit the gardens are just awesome and the restaurant has just about every thing that you require we walked over 2 miles the views and the house are just stunning it is well worth the time effort to go there and the entry and profits go back into the house and gardens
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Judy T said about Hestercombe Gardens
We visited with our adult family on Bank Holiday Monday.The gardens were peaceful although rough underfoot and very steep in places.We went for food at just after 3.00pm and were disappointed that catering had finished at 3.00 so we had to leave and find a local pub instead.A good visit spoiled I'm afraid.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Debbie P said about Hestercombe Gardens
First visit to Hestercombe for many years and I was very impressed. The Georgian Landscape Garden is extensive has a variety of pathways to explore, some more accessible than others. There are a lot of features to explore and dogs are allowed on a short lead. There are plenty of places to stop and rest and take in the panoramic views across the lakes. Nearer the house are the Edwardian Formal Gardens that were designed by Gertrude Jekyll and have been restored to their former glory. The house is now open to the public with a display of the history of Hestercombe, a gallery, second-hand book shop and restaurant. It isn't the prettiest house but it does have some history. There is also a coffee shop, shop and plant sales. There is a lot to see for the £11.80 entrance fee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Shippers said about Hestercombe Gardens
Our first visit to Hestercombe Gardens and we were highly impressed. We broke off our journey to the West Country for a walk and a spot of lunch, and were glad we made the decision on both counts. It is close to the M5, and although access involves a number of twists and turns it is both well signposted and easy to find using Satnav.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
We didn't visit the house (which frankly looked a little unprepossessing from the outside) but I guess most people come for the gardens and the walks through the extensive grounds, which are both superb. There's a beautiful horseshoe shaped walk from the entrance which sees you climbing through trees, with vantage points down to the lakes and across to the distant hills. Although the car park was reasonably full for our visit, the grounds are big enough to absorb people and we saw a limited number of other visitors on our walk, which is punctuated with a number of quirky follies, and information about both the history of the estate and future plans.
A very pleasant surprise was the cafe ('The Stables') where we chose delicious and very reasonably priced sandwiches from an extensive menu. It was, I have to say, a cut above the kind of fare you can expect to find at the equivalent National Trust establishment - the sandwiches were for instance freshly prepared rather than prepacked.
All in all a very enjoyable experience, and we left suitably refreshed and more than a little jealous of those lucky people who have Hestercombe Gardens on their doorstep.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Paul N said about Hestercombe Gardens
We had not heard of Hestercombe until watching one of Michael Portillo's railway journeys earlier this year and it looked intriguing. In the flesh, and on a sunny Spring day, it proved well worth the visit. This is an estate that almost went under due to the dreaded death duties and the landscape itself was clear felled in the 60's before being rediscovered around 20 years ago, since when it has undergone extensive restoration. Originally built for the privileged few and now enjoyed by the many.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
The Georgian landscape gardens with their woodland, steep slopes and ponds provide a number of carefully constructed and picture card vistas.While the Great Cascade was closed for maintenance it was as interesting to see the underlying scale and construction without the water flowing. The contrasting formal Edwardian gardens felt peaceful and also somewhat atmospheric with the wider valley view seen above and through the stone pergola at its southern edge. The Victorian house has only fairly recently been re-acquired from public use and, without any original contents, is no beauty: however, the 20 old pictures and photos summarising the history of Hestercombe are fascinating and helpful. The modern art exhibits upstairs were largely forgettable.
Nice cafe area with excellent home made cakes and a more formal lunch/afternoon tea restaurant (which we didn't visit) in the main house.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, Anne said about Hestercombe Gardens
we went in Spring on a 2 for 1 deal which made it even better value. The rhodendron display is beautiful, as were the bluebells and the 'wilder' wood walks are lovely if a little steep and uneven in a few places. So nice to be able to wander at will without being limited to where we could go with the dog. A good half day well spent. Definitely going again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2018, SML said about Hestercombe Gardens
We spent hours here with our 11 year old son who was NOT happy to be visiting another country house. Once he had seen the chickens and paddled under the cascade he actually seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he aquired a large stick. Lots of points of interest in the landscape garden and the formal gardens are gorgeous, but probably more about the hard landscaping and water features than the planting and the boy enjoyed poking his stick in all of them. The house does not offer a great deal but worth a pop in to see the art exhibitions, staircase and roof light. The cafe was a bit pricey but happily a bowl of chips and some cake was the cheaper option.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk