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From The Archives: Hestercombe's Octagon Summerhouse
2 months ago
**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 demolished (perhaps at the end of the 19th century after the Portman family had bought the estate) and sadly all trace of it and its location vanished. The discovery of foundations of a Georgian summerhouse during excavations in 2005 It was not until 2005 that an archaeological dig on the knoll above the SW corner of the Pear Pond revealed eight-sided foundations (illustrated), re-establishing its existence beyond doubt. The excavation revealed traces of nails, glass fragments, keystones for six windows, but not enough information to indicate (in the absence of any illustration) exactly what the building looked like. After much research and detective work, which included looking at surviving examples of Octagon Buildings in such places as Dunster and Stowe, Buckinghamshire, the building was re-created on its original site and officially opened on 30 June 2008. Among many other visitors, Father Christmas takes up residence each December and finds it makes an exceedingly cosy grotto. Help us restore other lost features of the Hestercombe landscape. The restored Hestercombe Octagon Summerhouse, rebuilt thanks to the generosity of our donors, members and friends.
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What's On in The Hestercombe Winter Wonderland...
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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From The Archives: The Hestercombe Estate in 1720
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe 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 take a step back almost 300 years and explore the Hestercombe estate as it was in 1720. _Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ Fig. 4 - John Bampfylde's...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe 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...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe 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 &...
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From The Archives: Hestercombe, The Early Years
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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Archives
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**The Hestercombe Archive provides primary source material for scholarly research, teaching support, preservation, and public service, and actively encourages and promotes the use of its collections. It is our privilege, and responsibility, to ensure the careful storage and preservation of these important evidences of the property’s history for future...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**MEMORIES OF HESTERCOMBE: THE 1873-77 REMODELLING OF HESTERCOMBE HOUSE**: The moulded stone arch that frames the east entrance to the Gallery Shop, originally the Great Hall, probably formed part of the rear wall of the original, early medieval house at Hestercombe. By the late 17th century the increasingly substantial residence of the Warre family...
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A Blast From The Past
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeI 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...
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From The Archives: Upstairs Downstairs
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe 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 find out about the domestic structure of Hestercombe - who the domestic servants were, and how they kept Hestercombe and its estate running smoothly. ...
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The Water Garden
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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The Latest News From The Archives... What The Press
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeLegate’s pleasure in relating the complexities of English village cricket is contagious and he tells a deeply satisfying story..._ - VLADIVOSTOK VIXEN - Fans of Kim Legate live for his complex historical thrillers, but now and then he serves up something unexpected. That’s exactly what he does with great success, in Cricket Anyone?. _- USA TODAY - Score...
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Covid-19 Update From Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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Hestercombe to Host New Exhibition From Celebrated
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**SEDIMENT brings together three decades of work by celebrated German artist Mariele Neudecker. Landscape, the deep sea, the Arctic, environmental concerns and lockdown all have a presence in this major solo exhibition.**: - Image: Mariele Neudecker, We Saw It Coming All Along [1 & 2] 2019, (detail), mixed media on archive print on board. © the Artist-...
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Hestercombe Gardens Trust
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**The Hestercombe Gardens Trust was established in 1996 to oversee the restoration of the gardens and to protect them for the future.**: **The Trust’s Objectives**: The Trust’s charitable objective is: to reclaim, restore, preserve, enhance and develop for the education and benefit of the public, the landscape, gardens and buildings of heritage,...
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Memories of Hestercombe...part 17.2
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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,...
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Hestercombe’s Landscape Saved with £1.5million
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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Horrifying Hallowe'en at Hestercombe!
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**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...
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Winter Flowers
4 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Happy new year! The new year has brought with it some beautiful flowers to brighten up the gloomy days. The following can all be found near the path as you walk through the Shrubbery: Above: Hamamelis commonly known as witch hazel has these spidery yellow flowers borne on bare stems. The flowers always remind me of curls of lemon rind! They prefer a sunny...
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Hestercombe's Craft Callout
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Are you a creative looking for your next opportunity?**: **Are you a creative looking for your next opportunity?** Hestercombe Gallery aims to present the best in contemporary arts practice, whilst focusing on the relationship between art and landscape. We aim to be a place in which art is not only shown but where artists and designers can explore,...
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Carols By Candlelight in Hestercombe House
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**‘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...