Local Reviews
In June 2018, mikey134 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Nice valley walk past lakes and follies. Lovely formal gardens,, nice cafe and gift shops. A little underwhelming after the big build up on their website but a pleasant place to visit nonetheless.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Polly K said about Hestercombe Gardens
The gardens and grounds are really lovely and worth a visit. We would recommend that you wear fairly stout footwear and do not wear sandals because the paths are gravel and you would spend time emptying your sandals!
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
We would also advise taking a picnic as the cafes are dog friendly and the main restaurant had nothing we could eat. Fortunately we took a picnic.
There are dog treats available on the entrance and other places and we nearly didn't go in as we had to wait for the dogs to get their treats and cuddles. Although we used to have a lot of dogs we don't like dogs in restaurants. However, the grounds are big enough for dog owners not to be a problem. And it is the dog owners who are the problem, not the dogs.
Totally recommend visiting but take a picnic.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, Jayne M said about Hestercombe Gardens
A delightful set of gardens and estate to wander around on a summers day, very pretty in Spring too with naturalised bulbs everywhere. Excellent tearooms ,although picnics are in evidence in the valley setting, not the easiest paths for disabled or senior citizens, but if time is no problem it is just a place of beauty to enjoy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, mrsagf said about Hestercombe Gardens
Reclaimed from decades of neglect and restored since the 1960's, as a labor of love by a non-profit gardens trust, the gardens are in three parts:
1. A fifty-acre Georgian landscape park, with walking trails through woodland valleys, follies and a pretty cascade;
2. A formal Victorian terrace, with islands of bedding plants;
3. A very large sunken garden below, a 1904-1908 collaboration by the informal partnership of Sir Edwin Lutyens, who did the hardscape (also note the "Lutyens benches") and Gertrude Jekyll, who supplied the planting plans and first plants. This garden is widely considered to be their joint masterpiece. It is also one of three faithful restorations (Munstead Wood, Upton Grey) of Jekyll's artistic vision and work.
The exterior visitor center has the casual Stables Cafe and a gift shop that includes plant sales. Inside the house, there is a small art gallery, with art for sale, and a used book shop. The Column Restaurant provided our coach tour with a generous and colorful buffet for a light lunch.
See the website for visiting hours and public events.
1. A fifty-acre Georgian landscape park, with walking trails through woodland valleys, follies and a pretty cascade;
2. A formal Victorian terrace, with islands of bedding plants;
3. A very large sunken garden below, a 1904-1908 collaboration by the informal partnership of Sir Edwin Lutyens, who did the hardscape (also note the "Lutyens benches") and Gertrude Jekyll, who supplied the planting plans and first plants. This garden is widely considered to be their joint masterpiece. It is also one of three faithful restorations (Munstead Wood, Upton Grey) of Jekyll's artistic vision and work.
The exterior visitor center has the casual Stables Cafe and a gift shop that includes plant sales. Inside the house, there is a small art gallery, with art for sale, and a used book shop. The Column Restaurant provided our coach tour with a generous and colorful buffet for a light lunch.
See the website for visiting hours and public events.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, 2Nelsons said about Hestercombe Gardens
There is a lot of walking to see everything but it is well worth it. The little shop was nice but we did find the cafe to be rather expensive so best take your own food and drink to keep costs sensible.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, LoubylouRochdale said about Hestercombe Gardens
We went to Hestercombe with my 2 grandchildren aged 13 and 11 for the day and passed away a lovely few hours. We all loved it especially the viewing points like the witches house and the waterfall. It helped that the weather was beautiful too.
The contemporary art exhibition in the house was interesting and the second hand book shop had some amazing books for sale.
We had lunch in the cafe which was lovely and well presented but a little pricey.
We liked it so much we bought annual passes. This is somewhere you could come time and time again.
The contemporary art exhibition in the house was interesting and the second hand book shop had some amazing books for sale.
We had lunch in the cafe which was lovely and well presented but a little pricey.
We liked it so much we bought annual passes. This is somewhere you could come time and time again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, littledoris2016 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe is a good place to walk the dog or have a good explore of the grounds and have a tasty lunch. However I feel it is overpriced. The entry fee is €11.80 but that's for the grounds only.This is dearer than National Trust properties and there is no house to view in this price. Luckily I went with a friend who is a member so got in for free. The lunch is tasty but again expensive for a light meal. I wouldn't pay these prices myself.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2018, DAH204 said about Hestercombe Gardens
We were enticed to visit Hestercombe Gardens with a 2 for 1 voucher in Gardeners World, this covers a number of the garden and houses not part of the National Trust membership. The map of the different trail routes could be enhanced if the trails were colour coordinated with helpful arrows sign posts showing the way. The walks through the trees are pleasant and not too strenuous for averagely fit people, some seating is provided along the way, although the moss growing on a few of the benches could make your clothes dirty. We had a nice time ambling along and afterwards had a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the café.
The modern exhibits upstairs in the house was very disappointing, in fact we were grateful the house entrance fee was included and not extra to the entrance fee.
The modern exhibits upstairs in the house was very disappointing, in fact we were grateful the house entrance fee was included and not extra to the entrance fee.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2018, bowler958 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Although this was some way from home it was worth it on arrival, it was spread over many acres and each garden had its own theme. Some gardens were very formal while others were more casual, there were 3 different ponds, each of great interest as well as orchards. There were summer houses,tunnels, a witch house, a temple arbour and much,much more. For refreshments there was a friendly cafe or a more formal dining room to cater for all needs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In July 2018, Jasmine West said about Hestercombe Gardens
This coffee shop is very good for wheelchair users, there's plenty of space, and the staff are extremely helpful. It's a shame the whole garden isn't accessible, but the coffee shop makes up for this. 100% recommend to anyone visiting Taunton, and their cream teas are a MUST.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk