What's On in The Hestercombe Winter Wonderland...

When it's cold outside and the days are short, it can be all too tempting to hunker down, cosy up and stay indoors. But we're here to convince you to throw on a jacket, pull on your wellies and head outside. Visiting winter gardens is a great way to do this. And while there won't be quite so many blooms, the colder months bring their own unique treats. ...

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...

**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...

**‘Choristers from Wellington School Chapel Choir entertained a packed audience to a magical evening of Carols By Candlelight in Hestercombe House on Saturday.’ The event took place in the grand Victorian hallway of the House, with the choir positioned on the impressive staircase which was festooned with festive garlands. The picture shows 4 of the...

The snow has come down all morning and the gardens look lovely. Trees are all dressed up in white and the formal garden is etched out under a snowy covering. We will stay open all weekend as long as at least one of us can get in! The cafe is serving toastie treats with hot chocolate and soup being high up on chilly walkers list of favorites. Come along to...

**We have joined forces with Spark Somerset to invite and share our warm space with the local community this winter at Hestercombe.**: We’ll be opening our doors at Hestercombe House and offering a comfortable space for those that need it to sit, read, and stay as long as they wish. Our warm space is free to access with the opportunity to view our art...

**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...

**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...

**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...

**Ok people, I know that the weather has been a bit challenging recently but it is time to shake off the winter blues with a trip to Hestercombe gardens. I know it's grey, I know it's raining but spring is springing and I'd hate you to miss it! Besides I read somewhere that a brisk walk in the fresh air is just the ticket for re focusing and re charging the...

**A vision to completely restore Hestercombe is one step closer thanks to a £1.5 million grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.**: This remarkable donation has enabled Hestercombe to acquire land totalling 320 acres, securing the world-class, Grade 1 heritage landscape, gardens and buildings for future generations. A vision to completely restore...

**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...

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...

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...

**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...

Pruning has been the predominant task for the Formal Gardens team over the last couple of weeks, and its no surprise when you count the number of plants that need pruning during winter. We have seven wall trained figs, five big _Wisteria, _an orchard full of apple trees, not to mention hundreds of roses! Although all these different plants have their own...

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 &...

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...

**If you are visiting Hestercombe over the next couple of weeks (and you must) then make sure you head to the rotunda in the formal garden to 'smell spring'. The walls of the rotunda are covered in a deciduous shrub called Chimonanthus praecox, also known as Wintersweet. At this time of year it produces these small waxy flowers that look rather like a 1930's...

**Rediscovering and Restoring the Octagon Summerhouse**: - by Assistant Archivist, Ben Whitworth_ The restoration of Hestercombe's Landscape Garden calls for a wide range of skills. For example, an Octagon Summerhouse is known to have existed in 1761 when someone listed it among the seats and alcoves within the Garden. However, it was subsequently...