Hestercombe Hosts Top Authors at Taunton Literary

**Brendon Books of Taunton presents the Taunton Literary Festival 22nd to 30th September 2012 Hestercombe hosts a special day of lectures by eminent authors in Hestercombe House. Lecture tickets are £6.50 each. Booking is essential. Pop in for lunch at the Stables Restaurant & Coffee Shop before or after the lecture. Coffee, tea and cake will be available...

**On a balmy summer's evening - yes we have had a few of them - Folksy Theatre burst on to their makeshift stage in front of the Orangery in the heart of Hestercombe's formal gardens with their adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'. It's my favorite Shakespeare and I was not disappointed. The Folksy group was full of energy, colour and skill...

**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...

**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...

**Novelties in NOVEMBER AT HESTERCOMBE.** **Fungi, Fiction and Festive Fayre!** November at Hestercombe kicks off with a Historical Writer’s Association Day as part of the Taunton Literary Festival. Throughout the day a range of authors including Anthony Riches, Karen Maitland Romans, Historical Crime and Naval Fiction. Combine food for the mind with...

**WELCOME TO WINTER WONDERLAND AT HESTERCOMBE!** - A sparkling winter woodland walk, skating, Father Christmas and 3 unique Carol concerts combine to make the festive season at Hestercombe exceptional._ For the first time, from November 30th until December 24th, from 4.30pm each evening (check website for exact times) an enchanting Winter Wonderland...

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...

**First paper to pick up the skating story - The Western Daily Press. Have a look at their lovely photo here: WesternDailyPress And guess who's dressed as an elf?! "The new Face of Somerset, Megan Bessell, with Father Christmas, elves Helen Barsby and Emily McCoy, enjoy the Hestercombe Christmas Skating Rink near Taunton last night, where they were skating...

Yesterday's Independent contained a lovely summary of Hestercombe Gardens in it's 'Top 10 Best Gardens To Visit'. We are very pleased to be featured in such a revered newspaper and look forward to seeing many more visitors this summer! Read the whole article online **here

**The next instalment from the Hestercombe Archives explores the fascinating early history of 'Haegsta’descumb', from 682 - 1391**: **_Written by_**_ _**_Kim Legate, Senior Archivist_**: As far as the valley of Helsdena (Hel... ‘s Valley). Then by a brook to the ford which is called Wealaford (Ford of the Welsh or Celts). And so along the course of that...

Young Harry Bond, aged 10 of Staplegrove School beat off strong competition at the Taunton Flower Show's Young Photographer of the Year 2012 to win first prize! Harry's winning shot was of Hestercombe's glorious Great Plat. "I am keen on photography and often come to Hestercombe with my friends and family. I was very pleased with this photograph so I...

**Memories of Hestercombe - The Portman Chapel - **_criticism from a variety of media & magazines..._** Characters that no reader will forget... prose as clean and strong as any Legate has yet laid down... and a drop-dead evocation of a time and place that will mark this article as a classic slice of Edwardiana - Prague Post The plot surges forward,...

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 &...

**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...

Image: 'Quenanville as Antipode' (detail), slideshow + 11 digital prints, 2014_ **Simon Faithfull exhibition '**_Elsewhen_**' at Hestercombe Gallery, Taunton**: 9 March - 30 June 2019 A new exhibition by **Simon Faithfull** brings together a series of works which allow gallery visitors to orientate themselves in relation to places across the planet. Created...

Hestercombe is hosting several courses for Bicton College. Sign up to do an NCFE in Floral Design, Garden Design or Fiber Craft.

**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...

**‘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...

**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...

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...