Christmas at Hestercombe

**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...

**‘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...

**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...

**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...

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...

50% OFF CHRISTMAS! The Hestercombe Gift Shop is now selling Christmas items for an amazing HALF-PRICE! Plus HOLLY WREATHS and MISTLETOE to bring the outdoors in! Beautiful wooden and fabric decorations and last minute gifts for all the family. From sparkly snowmen to beautiful carved tea light holders the Hestercombe shop has a great range of Christmas...

**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...

**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...

This time next week (Friday 13th) sees many Christmas events taking place at Hestercombe, not least to mention the CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY!! This year we thought we’d join in with the national money raiser for Save the Children and bring the festive spirit to Hestercombe. The idea is that all staff (we’re extending the invite to all visitors too!!) wear a...

**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...

Exciting news! This year we will be hosting a series of special pop-up restaurants in the Bampfylde Hall for Christmas. Perfect for your Christmas do with work, friends or family, enjoy a beautiful meal in the elegant 18th century hall. With an excellent wine list and professional service this is a really special way to celebrate the festive season. Bookings...

Crunch through fallen leaves in the Landscape Garden, spot holly bushes and steal a kiss under the mistletoeHestercombe’s winter gardens are glimmering with the sleepy, frosty signs of the season. Paying us a visit is a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit, but in the meantime you can check out these ideas for a magical alternative Christmas...

**With autumn in full swing now we are certainly finding plenty to do in the gardens! Apart from the seemingly never ending task of leaf blowing and raking we have been chopping back all the Mexican daisies that grow in the walls. This reveals the beautiful stone work underneath and shows off the intricate structure of the Formal Garden. We also have some...

There has definitely been a change in the weather recently and we are looking forward to our Autumn Events programme. Planting & gardening workshops a-plenty, with Bicton College setting up new courses and our own too with Head Gardener Claire Reid: Confident Gardener Class We will shortly be moving towards our Christmas activities, from skating to Father...

**...especially when it's so very nice. I had a telephone call from Mrs Hall today, whose daughter married here at the end of July - "...the day was perfect - everything was absolutely perfect. Julie White (Wedding Co-ordinator) was marvellous. She listened to us from the start, gave advice, shared her knowledge and experience in the kindest and most helpful...

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. ...

The Christmas Market is open even later on Saturday so you can squeeze in that extra bit of shopping! Times: Saturday 10am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 5pm With over 60 stalls selling unique, festive and imaginative goodies you're sure to find something for that perfect Christmas gift. Why not make a day out of it and visit the garden too - you get the £3 entry to...

**Head Gardener Claire Greenslade explores the concept of re-using old bicycle inner tubes to help new trees grow, and reduce plastic in the garden**: - Hessian ribbon degraded too well and needed replacing every few monthsAt Hestercombe we're really keen to be as green and ecologically minded as possible, and are always looking for more ways to improve. So...

**Now that we’re getting stuck into February (where did the last month go?!) there are a few more events in the pipeline. Over the next month or so Claire is putting on her popular gardening workshops. From pruning to planting there’s something for all budding gardeners! But do make sure you book quickly as they fill up fast. Gardeners Workshops And if...

It has taken two days of frantic activity but finally Christmas has been packed away until next year. The marquee is down and has left a very sad looking patch of grass which I am sure will soon recover. The ice rink has gone and all the lights from the winter wonderland have been packed away. But don't despair, we have plenty more activities on the...