Local Reviews
In April 2025, Daydream20759995959 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Ordering tea coffee cake or savoury snack used to be pleasurable.
Now there is a Please wait to be seated sign.Quite unnecessary on a quiet day.
Worse still one is not permitted to enter purchase and pay for hot drinks cake etc
Hence this is no longer a place where I feel happy to lunch or bring friends.
I prefered it when it had a less elitist feel.
Your small cafe is better but rarely open.
PG tea bags are a disappointing feature.I would expect better.
A more casual relaxed feel would be better suited to a garden visit.
If I wanted fine dining and table service I would go elsewhere.
I would like cosy casual and much rather pay as I order.
Sadly it was lovely and now it isn't.
Now there is a Please wait to be seated sign.Quite unnecessary on a quiet day.
Worse still one is not permitted to enter purchase and pay for hot drinks cake etc
Hence this is no longer a place where I feel happy to lunch or bring friends.
I prefered it when it had a less elitist feel.
Your small cafe is better but rarely open.
PG tea bags are a disappointing feature.I would expect better.
A more casual relaxed feel would be better suited to a garden visit.
If I wanted fine dining and table service I would go elsewhere.
I would like cosy casual and much rather pay as I order.
Sadly it was lovely and now it isn't.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2025, Margaret B said about Hestercombe Gardens
Absolutely wonderful gardens. Loved the daisy steps and the climb through trees and past ponds is well worth it for the view of Taunton vale. Lots of temples and such like allowing you to take in the vistas and have a rest.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2025, Patembleton said about Hestercombe Gardens
The gardens are lovely as usual but there is no where to get a drink of anything or buy a cake or ice cream without sitting in a restaurant setting. I had lunch there and although I felt the waiters welcoming but the food was mediocre and I really don’t want to be forced into a formal setting when I visit a garden. It is also worrying that there are no points to even fill a water bottle, I became dehydrated as i finished the gardens.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2025, S Woody said about Hestercombe Gardens
Visited yesterday with family. Hestercombe is lovely as it has both formal gardens & more natural woodland/meadow walks. We were very fortunate to see a pair of Canadian Geese next to the largest pond. It was calming to browse the second hand book shop & the plant stalls. We very much enjoyed tea & cake at the restaurant, I particularly like that it’s table service as it’s far more pleasant and relaxing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2025, darren p said about Hestercombe Gardens
This is a beautiful place great gardens where dogs are more than welcome but not in the actual house theirs a lovely place to buy food and plants we had a great day
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In May 2025, Linda M said about Hestercombe Gardens
The gardens are beautiful and we particularly love walking through the woodland with the lovely bluebells on show. What does annoy us is the cafe is now a restaurant and a formal “ wait to be seated”set up. A woman is wandering around flashing menu’s around at 11.am when all we want is a coffee and maybe a cake. The management are obviously on a money making scheme and this is very off putting. The old cafe has now been turned into a book lending snug! Last summer we enjoyed having a coffee and occasional cake on the lawn but that’s all gone now.
Another irritant is the Wedding events . We were sitting on a bench in the landscape garden when we were told to leave as the bride would be walking past ! What a cheek if they don’t want the public there then the bridal party should have to pay Hestercombe to close it down that day to the public like other large venues do.
The grounds are wonderful but the way the place is run is not.
Another irritant is the Wedding events . We were sitting on a bench in the landscape garden when we were told to leave as the bride would be walking past ! What a cheek if they don’t want the public there then the bridal party should have to pay Hestercombe to close it down that day to the public like other large venues do.
The grounds are wonderful but the way the place is run is not.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In June 2025, floss143 said about Hestercombe Gardens
Hestercombe gardens are beautiful, well worth a visit.
On the downside, the café only sell cakes on Monday and Tuesday. We went in after 12.00 expecting to be able to buy something savoury, sandwich etc only to be told not available on these days. Very disappointing.
On the downside, the café only sell cakes on Monday and Tuesday. We went in after 12.00 expecting to be able to buy something savoury, sandwich etc only to be told not available on these days. Very disappointing.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In March 2021, Duncan Foulkes said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
Stayed here for 12 nights , as our house was uninhabitable due to having bathroom and kitchen renovations.
Room had been recently refurbished to a high standard , bed with new mattress and a wall mounted wide screen TV.
No cleaning services available due lockdown , but fresh towels and bedding delivered to door on request , and similarly any rubbish left outside room was quickly removed.
Limited menu breakfast and evening meals available , all freshly cooked.
Staff were absolutely brilliant and very attentive in these difficult times - it would be wrong to single out individuals , they were all excellent .
Room had been recently refurbished to a high standard , bed with new mattress and a wall mounted wide screen TV.
No cleaning services available due lockdown , but fresh towels and bedding delivered to door on request , and similarly any rubbish left outside room was quickly removed.
Limited menu breakfast and evening meals available , all freshly cooked.
Staff were absolutely brilliant and very attentive in these difficult times - it would be wrong to single out individuals , they were all excellent .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In March 2021, Mr Tee said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
I say unbelievable because after many months in lockdown, and also being ill, I was forced to travel for business purposes.
It felt like a normal hotel stay.
The virtually daily changing Covid restrictions, must be so difficult to impose in a hotel type of environment,.
I have to be very honest and say I genuinely did not feel any impact of the restrictions in my stay.
Yes of course food was room service only, But the quality of food was actually better than normal.
The rooms were tidy and fresh and of course covered clean💪🏼
I am really looking forward to going back next week, to continue the work I started yesterday.
I can certainly recommend the hotel as a secure safe and healthy place to stay.
It felt like a normal hotel stay.
The virtually daily changing Covid restrictions, must be so difficult to impose in a hotel type of environment,.
I have to be very honest and say I genuinely did not feel any impact of the restrictions in my stay.
Yes of course food was room service only, But the quality of food was actually better than normal.
The rooms were tidy and fresh and of course covered clean💪🏼
I am really looking forward to going back next week, to continue the work I started yesterday.
I can certainly recommend the hotel as a secure safe and healthy place to stay.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In April 2021, TravelAdz said about Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
I stayed for business during COVID-19.
Great customer service. Breakfast is ordered the night before and you grab it by reception. A hot option is available or a snack option you can grab and get out to your car.
Gym is open and was adequate.
Room was very clean, large and secure. Had an excellent desk and TV which was all I needed. WiFi worked well throughout my stay. parking is free, just pop your registration number in.
The only thing I would say is that I didn't have a working phone in my room. During COVID, this made it difficult to order food for room service.
Food menu was good, served within about 40 minutes both nights and was hot and tasty. It is delivered to your room and quickly tidied away. Will be staying again thank you.
Great customer service. Breakfast is ordered the night before and you grab it by reception. A hot option is available or a snack option you can grab and get out to your car.
Gym is open and was adequate.
Room was very clean, large and secure. Had an excellent desk and TV which was all I needed. WiFi worked well throughout my stay. parking is free, just pop your registration number in.
The only thing I would say is that I didn't have a working phone in my room. During COVID, this made it difficult to order food for room service.
Food menu was good, served within about 40 minutes both nights and was hot and tasty. It is delivered to your room and quickly tidied away. Will be staying again thank you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk