Hestercombe Gardens Trust

**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...

**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...

**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...

**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...

**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...

**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...

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...

**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...

**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...

**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...

**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...

I thought you might appreciate this photo of Hestercombe House taken in 1953, just as the Somerset Fire Brigade (est. 1948) was about to move in and make it their headquarters. Somerset County Council leased Hestercombe House for £500 per year in September and would eventually (1977) purchase the House and adjoining 11 acres of land, including the Formal...

**Visitors will notice a new feature as they take the main drive towards Hestercombe House.**: Visitors will notice a new feature as they take the main drive towards Hestercombe House. A body of water currently awaits restoration to be transformed into an original Water Garden that formerly graced the estate. The Water Garden is situated in the parkland...

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...

We’re celebrating Hestercombe Gallery’s second birthday this year and although it’s a relative youngster in the world of art, we couldn’t be prouder of what it’s already achieved. When the future of the house was being discussed in 2013, it was decided that with its history of landscape and artistic garden design, we needed to strengthen the bond...

**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...

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

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

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...

**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...