Hestercombe Blog

The gardens at Hestercombe are finally taking on their beautiful  late spring mantle after some better weather! Don’t forget what fun the gardens are for children over half term, when butterfly experts will be in the garden giving free talks! And for some traditional  style english summer enjoyment come and try our first ever Hestercombe Summer Fete on June 1st. Please get in touch on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01823 413923 if you would like anu more information....

  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 the great outdoors. New for this year  is the traditionally styled  Hestercombe Summer Fete on June 1st and for all proud dog owners, a Family Dog Day on July 28th which promises to be a lot of fun for pets and owners alike.  I attach our latest updated schedule of events from May until September. We have many lovely images so please get in touch if you would like any or indeed any further information about the gardens or any of the events.  You are welcome yourself...

Easter is coming early but Hestercombe will be ready with lots of fun activities for children and wonderful landscapes to roam through for everyone! The wild daffodils should be in full throttle and we have just heard that the new Hestercombe chicks should have arrived for Easter too! Rare and beautiful they will certainly be worth a visit. If you would like any more information or pictures please call Stephanie Holley or Emily McCoy on 01823 413923 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as I will be away until March 26th....

The skating rink at Hestercombe is now officially open for action amidst a  magical woodland scene. The Face of Somerset, Megan Bessell cut the ribbon with the help of some merry elves and Father Christmas. Details attached and an image. Lots more pictures if you would like some! Please call 07900 685 303 or 01823 413923. Kind regards Rebecca Picture Credit: Alain Lockyer.   /  Picture caption: The Face of Somerset, Megan Bessell declares the magical skating rink at Hestercombe, Taunton officially open, with the help of the magical  Hestercombe elves and Father Christmas!  . To book: http://www.hestercombe.com/   PRESS RELEASE.   MAGICAL SKATING MOMENT!   Gliding into action on her first personal engagement, new Face of Somerset,  Megan Bessell, cut  the ribbon to pronounce  the enchanting Hestercombe Christmas skating rink  officially open to visitors from December 1st. Father Christmas, his elves and a band of excited children from Trull School in...

The Face of Somerset Skates into Christmas at Magical Hestercombe! Friday 30th November, 4.30pm – Hestercombe’s Official Skating rink Launch! Do join us for the exclusive opening of Hestercombe’s Skating Rink with ribbon cutting on skates performed by the new Face of Somerset, Megan Bessell. Press are  invited to preview the super silky all-weather artificial ice-rink for themselves!  The rink, opens to the public on Saturday 1st December. Last year’s skating at Hestercombe proved so popular it is back again this year. Accompanying Megan on the ice will be children from King’s Hall school and some of Wellington School’s Chapel Choir, festively dressed for the occasion.  Heavenly angels may materialise alongside Father Christmas and his elves. The ice-rink will be open for public skating every weekend in December as well as every day between 17th December and 6th January. (Please book skating session in advance). Set inside a magical  marquee with...

Don’t forget the magical  Christmas Market is taking place this weekend ( Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November, 10am – 5pm)  at Hestercombe,  near Taunton.  Delightful  stalls packed with Christmas gift ideas, entertainment for the children including a magician and heavenly choirs plus delicious food in the Stables Restaurant and Courtyard Café!   Entrance £3 on the door or book online and save 50p! U16 free. www.hestercombe.com 01823 413923 for more information. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset, TA28LG   Rebecca Pow Tel: 07900 685 303 / 01823 443816/hestercombe 01823 413923...

Come and see the beautifully restored 17th century watermill at Hestercombe up and running and powering a wide range of  exquisitely restored,  historic  machinery  ranging  from an apple scratter, to  an oat crusher, a  chaff cutter, winnower  and saw bench.   Meet the jolly miller as he grinds corn into flour  and re-live times gone past in this unique building transformed from a tumble down wreck through a ‘grand designs’ style rescue project  in just one year. (A short film playing in the mill charts the progress.) Whether you are old or young, this fully operating spectacle will be captivating! Garden admission fee applies. Mill Demonstration FREE. http://www.hestercombe.com/events-and-activities.html For images and further information please contact Rebecca Pow 07900 685 303/ 01823 443816.  http://www.rebeccapow.com/...