All Aboard The Hestercombe Express

**1940-42**: In July 1940, the British Army established 8th Corps to take responsibility for all British troops in the South West of England, and Hestercombe became the division’s rear HQ. In early 1941 the first six barrack blocks were built with brick bases, concrete block walls and roofs covered with asbestos slates. **1943-44**: The British 8th Corps...

**Nestled in tranquil countryside and boasting sweeping lawns, three stunning historic gardens and the iconic Ham Stone Lutyens-designed Orangery, it’s no wonder Hestercombe, near Taunton, is one of the most idyllic wedding venues in Somerset.**: Explore the venue As a couple getting married at Hestercombe you’ll get access to the entire grounds during...

Did you see Hestercombe on the BBC? Inside Out South West did a special feature about thedevelopments of Hestercombe House. We are all thrilled to hit such a wide audience and loved watching some of our staff on the telly! The programme was excellent so a big thank you to all involved. If you missed the programme catch up on the BBC iplayer and let us know...

The Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. In this installment of Memories of Hestercombe we hear about the Grand Ball which took place in January 1897 - and the star studded Taunton guest list in attendance. _Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ - On...

**A regularly updated statement from Hestercombe Gardens regarding steps taken on site to help protect customers and staff from the Covid-19 pandemic.**: **Latest update: Friday 30th April 2021**: **Hestercombe Gardens is open daily for visits**: We are delighted to return to being fully open for visits from members and non-members. Bookings for the gardens...

Have you spotted our exciting new Dogs of Hestercombe exhibition in the Long Gallery, which celebrates Hestercombe's patrons with paws? We love to welcome visitors and their dogs for walks in the garden and a spot of canine ice cream in the Stables Cafe. Earlier this year, volunteer and photographer Daniel McCarthy captured these charming photos of visitors...

**HALLOWE’EN IS HORRIFYING AT HESTERCOMBE THIS HALF TERM! October 2012** **Non stop fun an frights throughout the holidays.** Hestercombe undergoes a phenomenal transformation at Hallowe’en - from stunning gardens by day to spine chilling chamber of horrors at night! Take a **Terror Tour** - but take care because the zombies are coming and they will be...

**UPDATE, 7th January 2021: *Please note: in line with the national lockdown, Hestercombe House and Gallery is temporarily closed. Read our full coronavirus statement for opening information.**: To visit Hestercombe House and Gallery (when reopen), you will need to book a gardens admission ticket, which also gives you entry to _Open-Up_, a new series of...

Hestercombe is a wonderful garden venue and regularly listed amongst the top 20 gardens in Britain. Many activities are offered in the garden, a good number of them are free with garden entry such as the butterfly walks and the charcoal burning days. Special emphasis is also given to children as it’s a great place for them to engage with nature and enjoy...

**Get outside this season, breathe in the fresh air and watch Hestercombe gardens come alive with the rich colours of autumn.**: - Autumn at HestercombeSeptember and October sees Hestercombe transformed by the rich shades of autumn; the cold-loving flowers and shrubs begin to bloom, bringing new colours and points of interest to the gardens. On your next...

**Hestercombe Shop Blog!! (a little message from Hannah - Shop Manager)** The shop is changing with the new wintery season........there's lots of new and exciting gifts arriving weekly, from stocking fillers to that extra special gift for someone in your life. Locally produced items available to support the area and community, all our cards are personally...

**With all the turbulence and noise going on in the world at the moment members can draw some comfort from the fact that Hestercombe is still here, tranquil and peaceful as ever.**: **The leaves on the trees will soon be starting to turn golden and the great cascade with its tumbling water will once again return to its dramatic self.**: Everything at...

The Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. This post is the first of a series called 'Memories of Hestercombe', where we uncover lost and forgotten characters of the estate. - Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ - Figure 1 - Thomas ‘James’ Tooze &...

Hestercombe's swan on the Pear Pond, summer 2018 **It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hestercombe's swan due to natural causes.** **Join us for a Tribute to Hestercombe's Swan on Thursday 3rd January 2019 at 11am, on the Pear Pond.** Known by many members and staff as 'Swanny', 'Swanny McSwanFace', 'Angry Bob', and 'Cyril' (amongst...

**Nestled in tranquil countryside and boasting sweeping lawns, three stunning historic gardens and the iconic light-filled Orangery, it’s no wonder Hestercombe's Somerset wedding venue is one of the most idyllic wedding venues in the Southwest.**: **Venues**: With a selection of gorgeous venues from grand and formal to small and intimate, all situated in...

**Creative Director, Tim Martin, updates on what has been happening at Hestercombe Gallery.**: - Credit: Jem Southam, Winter Walks Three Ducks.In February this year, as part of the ‘Expanding Landscapes: Painting after Land Art’ exhibition programme, we held an event entitled ‘Landscape Resonances’, where co-curator Joy Sleeman explored the ‘after...

On the 'blog' section of our website there are regular updates about what's growing on! In the gardens Claire (Head Gardener) and Jo do reports on what's happening, with Claire's **plant ID** ***and find out about the history of Hestercombe from Kim, our archivist, who quietly works away reading old manuscripts or discovering who's who in black and white...

**Help for heritage as Hestercombe receives lifeline from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund**: - Help for heritage as Hestercombe receives lifeline from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund**Heritage sites protected**: - More help for heritage in need with £14 million investment in England’s historic sites - Hestercombe among 162 organisations...

**Chapter Two: The Portman’s & the Church of St. Mary, Hestercombe** “I remember well how, when I came to St. Andrews (Taunton) in 1947, I was faced with a very large and run-down parish, & no curate... and no car. You can perhaps imagine how I thought when I was told that I was expected to take services for an old lady in her private chapel, which was...

**Welcome to the festive season!** We're now officially in the mood for Christmas after a very successful annual Christmas Market. Filled with beautiful stalls and friendly, local producers and craftspeople we were bursting at the seams with decorations, food and lots of lovely gift ideas. A great way to kick start the festive season. We’re now in a...