Shop and Plant Centre

The Gardens Shop & Plant Centre are a real Aladdin's Cave full of interesting book, cards, gifts and plants. Lots of locally product and a special Gertrude Jekyll Corner. We are open all year round except Christmas Day. Summer times: 11a.m to 5p.m. and in the Winter we close at 4.30p.m.

 

Shop and Plant Centre Manager, Mark Phillips has a real eye for gorgeous life-style gifts and treats for the home and garden.

NEW RANGES arriving all the time:

The beautifully presented Gardens Shop has new and exciting ranges of candlesticks, cupcake candles; bird nest boxes, insect hotels and butterfly houses - so pretty you'll want to move in yourself!

Loads of gorgeous cards, jazzy double-sided wrapping paper, local jams and fudges;

A very tasteful selection of garden furniture, stylish vases, urns and artificial plants (but they look REAL!) for those dark corners in your home.

Plus...

Gift vouchers, special offers, locally grown plants and a very warm welcome - so visit Mark and his Team soon.

The Stables Restaurant & Coffee Shop

The Stables Restaurant & Coffee Shop is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 10a.m. to 5.30p.m., serving a selection of teas, coffees, cold drinks, lunches, snack and cakes 'to die for'!

Click Here to view our Stables Restaurant page.

Gallery

Janet Jordan, Hestercombe's Gallery Manager, extends a warm welcome to the Lutyens Gallery. Janet has put together an exciting programme of exhibitions to run all throughout the year. So visit us often to enjoy the huge variety of art from many local artists. Full listings and more information on our dedicated Lutyens Gallery page.

It is FREE entry to the Lutyens Gallery, Stables Restaurant & Coffee Shop, Gardens Shop and Plant Centre. More information on the Courtyard Pages.

Please note: The Gallery is open daily from 10a.m. to 5p.m. excluding Christmas Day. It forms part of our Stables Restaurant and on occasion, viewing may be restricted due to private meetings. To avoid disappointment, please telephone for full details prior to your visit - 01823 413923.

Mill Tea Garden

The Mill Tea Garden is open on sunny days during the summer months. It was created during the extensive restoration of the 17th century watermill and is a glorious oasis by the tranquil Mill Pond. On a warm day, pop in for an ice cream or a Somerset Cream Tea during your walk.

Children's Play Area

Under 7s Play Area
The small, safe Children's Play area for the under 7s has proved a big hit with our little people. It is situated by the picnic area near the Ticket Office and admission is FREE.

Acres and acres to enjoy
- do walk on the grass and splash in the ponds!

Hestercombe is the ideal outdoor destination for everyone to enjoy. We have a variety of special children's trails through the gardens in the School Holidays and our eduction partner 1610.org.uk run fully supervised holiday programmes when your youngsters can really run wild - it's all muddy good fun!

Picnic

Although picnics are not permitted in the Gardens, we have a delightful picnic area with wooden picnic tables and benches. It's a lovely place to meet friends particularly those with young children as it is adjacent to our under 7s playground. As both the picnic area and playground is situated before the Ticket Office, use of these areas is absolutely FREE!

Garden

Lose yourself in fifty acres of lakes, temples, cascades, tranquil woodland walks, formal terraces, vivid colours and views that take your breath away. Hestercombe is a unique combination of three centuries of garden design: Coplestone Warre Bampfylde's Georgian landscape garden, the Victorian terrace and shrubbery and the stunning Edwardian garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.

Visit the restored Watermill with displays of mill machinery and Country House technology and pop in for an ice cream to the (seasonal) Mill Tea Garden adjacent to the Mill Complex and on the banks of the pretty Mill Pond

 

Peace, tranquillity and beautiful walks just 5.9 miles from the M5 (Junction 25) or 3 miles from Taunton Town Centre.

Education Centre

The Woodland Barn

Part of the recently restored 17th century water mill and barn, the Woodland Barn, is available for hire at very special rates for educational organisations and providers to run courses or classes.

For information on availability and room hire rates please telephone Helen Seymour, Business Administrator on 01823 413923 or email your enquiry to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Outstanding value, excellent benefits in a beautiful and convenient location

• Large, open space room, with natural light
• Hi-spec AV equipment
• Accommodates up to 100 students/participants
• Free parking
• Free entry to the Gardens when attending the course/class
• Just 5.9 miles from M5 motorway, J25, 3 miles from Taunton town centre
• LOW room hire rates with no additional maintenance or cleaning fees

The magnificent £1.6 million Watermill and Woodland Barn restoration also includes the Dynamo House and Mill Room with displays of historic mill machinery and Country House technology.

The Dynamo House and Mill Room

The Dynamo House and Mill Room contains an unrivalled collection of energy sources dating from Victorian and Edwardian times. The over-shot water wheel powers a variety of historic machinery for apple crushing, grinding corn and cutting timber - activities that have all been prominent on the Hestercombe estate over the centuries.

Huge investment is being made to create world-class interpretation in this complex so together with demonstrations from our expert team, Hestercombe offers excellent opportunities groups and organisations to enjoy innovative hands-on educational experiences.

For information and bookings please contact Helen Seymour, Business Administrator on 01823 413923 or email your enquiry to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.