Hestercombe Blog

Hestercombe’s first ever good olde fashioned fete will be held on Saturday June 1st, 11am – 6pm.   All sorts of attractions for the family.  If you fancy tug of war, whacking a rat or simply eating a jolly tasty BBQ in the glorious setting of the Orangery Lawn then come on down! Normal garden admission applies and all the extras are thrown in (small charge for  the bouncy castle and mini garden ’ activity for children.)   The gardens are looking spectacular too with the bluebells and rhododendrons finally out and peonies starting to push through. Lovely images if you need any!   ...

Just been updating our listing on dayoutwiththekids.co.uk  Their website is great for a child friendly look at places to visit... Why not see what else is near to us?  Here at Hestercombe there is plenty for children to do. Our recent survey showed that most of our little visitors were between 3 and 8. We hope that they can find lots to keep them active in the gardens! There's plenty of open space to run wild, splash, climb and explore. Many children enjoy a visit to the Witches Hut where their imaginations can create all sorts of creepy creatures!  There are also child friendly meals in the cafe and seasonal colouring and quizzes. Check the events page to see whats coming up: hestercombe/events...

Today is the day! Philip has trecked off to London to receive his MBE from the Queen. It all took place inside Buckingham Palace and here's a picture of Philip and his wife Cheryl with his shiny new medal!  ...

The flyers are out, the exhibitors are confirmed, all we need now is the weather! (But according to the BBC forecast it's going to be stunning sunshine all day) Our Wedding Open Day has been a successful affair in previous years and we are hoping to live up to expectations again. We welcome any newly engaged couples plus those who've already booked. You will be directed into the Bampfylde Hall where you will be greeted by friendly, informative staff and directed to wander through each of our beautiful venues. Don't miss the unique old Temple arbour in the Landscape Gardens. The biggest wedding we've held here was 70 people! The Orangery will be fully set up for a wedding ceremony and there will be exhibitors in the Woodland Barn to give you some inspiration for your special day. PLUS you are invited to enjoy a complimentary welcome drink and canapes in...

Having been on holiday last week (what a relief to get away from the cold weather for a while!) I come back to find that FINALLY the weather is beginning to warm up! Hestercombe is such a different place in the summer months and there are at last some signs of change to give us all some hope of a good season. Plus, just yesterday we were featured in the Independent as one of the 'Top 10 Best Gardens to Visit'. So I'm sure there will be a flood of new visitors now!!  Here's a link to read the whole article: independent.com/topgardens And as with all holidays, now I'm back there's plenty to get stuck into. This week has seen some more confirmations for the Christmas Market go out to successful applicants and the next step is picking a few for our Summer Fete which will be on Saturday 1st June. I'm...

  Hestercombe Stable's Restaurant: THE NEW MENU!!  Head Chef Kevin and his team have pulled together the new menu full of fresh seasonal ingredients and it's now been up and running for the last week. There are still some of the old favorites including the ham and cheese pannini and the stuffed baked potato that was introduced over winter but you can now look forward to a handmade lamb burger with moroccan relish or a Spring-like salmon linguini. Plus there's always the daily specials, soup of the day and Sunday Roasts (lamb for Easter!) and why not finish off with an indulgent pud! The chocolate tart last weekend was divine :)  We'll all be the size of houses by Easter!! ...

In the run up to Easter (eek - only two weeks now!) we've got LOADS going on...  The Ticket Office should be open for the Easter weekend, those of you who have visited recently may have seen the rubble at the entrance (sorry!) but fear not! It won't be long and we should have a new desk, two people working, and a real, welcoming entrance once again. The plans show a desk all the way across the entrance so there will be more space for a person to help customers, and more space behind for the reception. We're hoping this will draw the whole of Hestercombe closer together - it should be a real centre for information once open. Matt & Dave hard at work... If you do want to visit the gardens before the Ticket Office re-opens, just shout up to let them know you are coming through. They don't...

Jessica Redhead and Hannah Phillips, our two students, have now been working with us for 6 months. I would like to put their knowledge to the test and for them to give a group a tour of the gardens. They are definitely ready for it and I think they would do a grand job. But I need your help... Would you like a free tour of the gardens? Jess and Hannah will be able to give a free tour to a group of 20 people on the 10th April 2013. If you would like to be on the tour please email me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The 1st 20 people to email will be on the tour!...

How many of you caught a glimpse of Hestercombe House on the BBC last night? We were certainly all glued to the TV! Inside Out South West did a special feature on the new developments in the house, culminating in the glorious concert by the Guildhall School of Music who made a special visit to the House on Saturday 16th February - to everyone's delight.  If you didn't manage to see it here's the programme on BBC iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01qzfxp/Inside_Out_South_West_25_02_2013/ It was a nice long piece, and always exciting to see yourself on television!  Share your views about the programme here. ...

After the cold winter months (well, I suppose it is still a cold, winter-y month!) we’ve got loads of activities afoot to keep you on your toes!  The children’s trails have been going really well and there will be another one in time for Easter, and yes, there will be suitable Easter themed prizes..  Meanwhile visitor numbers, and member numbers, have begun to pick up again. At the entrance our shop and plant center are steadily filling up with colour – Helen’s most recent delivery of bulbs and some colourful leafy things (Hebes!) are all looking great and expect more in time for Mothering Sunday. On that note the focus shifts – the café has some lovely menus in place to spoil your mother, and in case you needed reminding, it’s the 10th March! There are already lots of families booked in so it’s set to be a busy day. Let’s...

HESTERCOMBE CENTRE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS OPENS In an exciting move Hestercombe has joined forces with the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama to establish a regional Centre for Young Musicians in Hestercombe House. The new venture, launched with open rehearsals and a special concert performed by Guildhall students from London on February 16,th will bring expert musical training to children up to the age of eighteen drawn from all over the South West. Hestercombe House, whose ancient origins date back to at least the thirteenth century, sits at the heart of its famed historic landscape and with its impending handover from Somerset County Council, the Hestercombe Gardens Trust has been keen to find a role for the house that is sympathetic to its situation and which at the same time, will strengthen its links with the local community. ‘Developing a special Centre for Young Musicians is a perfect  enterprise for this remarkable...

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 you want to hear more about what Claire’s up to check her blog – she’s been practicing lots recently so there’s plenty to read about! Claires Blog Alongside all the action in the gardens the café & visitor center is back on track (after a quiet month to recover from all our Christmas activity!). The Hestercombe Humdinger was last Sunday (3rd Feb) and all went stormingly well. There might even be a few ‘healthy’ muffins left in the café still as Liz made some to replenish those energetic runners.  ...

So it did snow in the end. And we've got some gorgeous pictures from wandering around the landscape gardens. As I'm sure you are aware, the gardens & cafe will remain open as long as at least one of us can get in! If you are worried about opening times this weekend, call the shop directly on 01823 413769, or the cafe to check yourself in for some hearty lunches to restore all that energy lost from rolling around in the snow (!) on 01823 414197. So here's a few arty shots to get you in the mood for snow! Looking back over the Pear Pond with the Octagon in sight The Temple surrounded by snow laden branches & a path marked out through the Victorian Shrubbery past the Cedar Tree....

The festive period saw some of our biggest visitor numbers over the winter for some time. Thanks to all of you who came up, especially those of you who brought new friends to Hestercombe. We hope you enjoyed our Christmas activities, we certainly did! The skating was a huge success, with many slots full to the limit and some children returning several times! I have to say it’s not the easiest thing to do… After the press launch I managed to stay off the rink right until the last weekend when there was an empty slot (just as well as I had a pretty spectacular collision with a small penguin!). And thank you to all the schools and school children who supported us throughout the winter. Wellington School Chapel Choir, always a pleasure to have along, for the Carol Concert, Trull Primary children who featured in some of our press pieces...

Philip, our Chief Executive here at Hestercombe, joined the list of names honoured with an MBE last weekend in recognition of his services to Historic Garden Restoration. It is a well deserved appreciation of the 20 years of work he has devoted to recovering Hestercombe Gardens. It's a really exciting moment for Philip and for Hestercombe as a whole and we are all really pleased as it means greater national recognition for Hestercombe and a very promising start to 2013. Philip has shared his gratitude with the team, and hopes to continue the progression of Hestercombe with some exciting developments planned for 2013. As a small celebration we all enjoyed some delicious fresh pastries this morning and Philip recounted the story of opening the letter from the crown one month ago, only to be sworn to secrecy! ...

‘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 choristers: Alice Loneragan, Thea Phillips, Flora Johnson and Darcy Anderson (top to bottom.) This was part of the enchanting winter programme running at Hestercombe, slots are still available for skating  on the Hestercbome skating rink, but Father Christmas is already fully booked!!   Picture Credit: Alain Lockyer...

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 with children from Trull School." Skating is open every weekend then every day from December 17th. Father Christmas is also about, Saturday 15th until Sunday 23rd, but slots are selling fast! Don't miss out, call 01823 413923 TODAY!...

The shop is all dressed up for the festive period already, with sparkling fairy lights and handmade traditional decorations to adorn Mark's mini Christmas trees. And if you wanted a little bit more festive cheer come to the Christmas Market - packed full with great gift ideas - on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November. There will be over 50 enticing stalls inside the giant marquee on the marquee lawn, each one carefully picked for maximum visitor enjoyment! From 'Sequins and Sword' fun children's toys and dressing up outfits, 'Forever - Aloe Vera's' all natural beauty and health products and of course plenty of scrumptios festive food - taste the handmade fudge, the xmas puds drenched in brandy or one of Hestercombe's own hot mince-pies!Make sure this one's in your diary.   £3.00 on the door or £2.50 online. See you there!...

The hallowe'en spooky trails in the gardens are having very good feedback from everyone! Special thanks to Mr Haynes who took the time to fill in a feedback form: "The hallowe'en displays etc are absolutely brilliant - scared the ***** out of us - well done!" Oct.2012...

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 taking over the gardens! Mad scientists are on standby to despatch them with an antidote. But can you help find it? Seek in the bat filled basement, search amongst the  ghosts of the garden, wander with  the witches  in the undergrowth.  It will be terrifying! Believe it or not  Hestercombe’s Terror Tours are so popular you must BOOK your scary slot! Tours run on  Fri 26th, Sat 27th and Wed 31st, 6 – 9pm. Owing to this being so petrifying  under 14’s must be accompanied.  Dying to book?  Check out prices and time lots online....