Illumina Will Still Shine Through The Rain

We were treated to a lovely still evening at Hestercombe last night for the first Illumina of 2013. We seemed to miss the rain that got the rest of the area - people do say we have a Hestercombe micro-climate! We're all set for another beautiful evening tonight. If you've not got your tickets yet don't panic there are still some available either **online,**...

Ben at Illumina_ Illumina is AMAZING!!!!!!! What a marvellous way to view a garden. It is completely entrancing and magical. The pathway takes you through the shrubbery to the cascade and back round and through the formal gardens. The change in perspective in the dark is phenomenal and having worked in the gardens for 6 years it is really...

How amazing was Illumina! So great to see the garden in such a different perspective and notice things that had previously been hidden. For example who knew that Erigeron had eyes!!! The whole plant looks really alive in this picture - truly the jewel of Hestercombe. I was amazed at how many people who came to Illumina had never visited the gardens in...

Had a productive meeting this morning to ensure we are all singing off the same hymn sheet as the date of the first night of Illumina looms large.... We are having a Press Night on the Thursday which will be a great opportunity to have a dry run for the Team. Ulf is well organised with all the set up - miles of cable! The Gardeners are making sure between...

**ILLUMINA - MAGICAL NIGHT TIME LIGHT SENSATION** As dusk falls, visitors to the gardens will be immersed in a sensory spectacle as the natural beauty and impressive features of Hestercombe are transformed into a visual masterpiece by special light installations. After the extraordinary success of last years’ event, light installation artist Ulf Pedersen...

**Thanks to Arts Council England funding we can now reveal an exclusive opportunity to work with the Illumina artist, Ulf Pedersen.** Ulf will be running a hands on, practical workshop to create one brand new art installation to form the 'finale' of Illumina. **The workshops will aim to create a NEW installation to form the 'finale' of Illumina.** The theme...

**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...

...and looking relaxed after a week's holiday with his young family including three very energetic little boys... Kevin is our Welsh Wizard Head Chef and even on his hols he has been thinking about the new Autumn menu. Always seasonal, I think we can look forward to pumpkins and butternut, sweet potatoes and casseroles but he does promise to keep the hand...

It is HOT, HOT, HOT. The gardens team are wilting as quickly as the plants and my gentle coaxing and reminders about the how awful it was working in the rain last year are not helping! But we wouldn't be true Brits if we weren't moaning about the weather. All weather and climates come with their own set of problems, but, come on, this is a proper summer!! A...

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I am probably speaking far to soon and I'm sure that the snowy cold weather will soon find its way over to us but in the garden there are already signs of new growth and spring. Look at this fabulous witch hazel flowering away in the shrubbery. The Hellebores are just starting to show their pretty faces and the first of the snowdrops are poking their heads...

During the heavy rains of last year we had a lot of flood damage around the garden. Many of the culverts simply collapsed under the pressure and we have slowly worked our way around repairing them all. This was the leat path. The water knocked out lots of the bricks that form the leat and this all had to be repaired. Th stream at the bottom of the cascade...

Weather permitting we are planning a BBQ on Sunday AND Monday! If the sun shines through come along to enjoy one of what may be the last BBQs of summer. Sizzling food and a selection of crispy salads served in the Courtyard.

Who do you think of when you think about the people working to make our country a better place to live? Doctors; Nurses; Police Officers; Firefighters; Teachers. What if we told you that the main aim of Civil Enforcement Officers (more fondly known as Traffic Wardens or Parking Attendants) is to reduce pollution and ensure the safety of the local community?...

Who do you think of when you think about the people working to make our country a better place to live? Doctors; Nurses; Police Officers; Firefighters; Teachers. What if we told you that the main aim of Civil Enforcement Officers (more fondly known as Traffic Wardens or Parking Attendants) is to reduce pollution and ensure the safety of the local community?...

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Today's been a bit cold with the changing seasons but plans are afoot for the HESTERTOMB and Hallowe'en is just around the corner. Mark's been decorating the courtyard in a very ghostly guise... Next time you visit Hestercombe's Stables Restaurant you're in for a big surprise! - Spooky tours - daytime and night, will be running throughout the holidays, and...

I have mixed emotions about September. I love the light. I love the warm weather. But I cant shake off that feeling of impending doom as the nights draw in and the temperature drops - I have absolutely no love for winter! It is just too cold, and I can't even get excited about the prospect of snow. I've tried to enjoy sledging but frankly it's cold and wet...

We hope you like the new website! There may still be a few teething problems so please bear with us for a little while until we've been through it with a fine tooth combe! Thank you :) Meanwhile, why don't you check what's new on our facebook page - click here.

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