Hestercombe

Tom from our Gardens Team will lead you around our beautiful Wildflower Meadow within the Georgian Landscape Garden. He will help you identify the most common flowers and explain what makes it such a thriving habitat for butterflies and bees. 11am – 12.30pm The walk will start from the Visitor Reception. Normal admission applies but there is no additional charge for the guided walk. Booking is recommended as there are limited places. Or call our Visitor Reception on 01823 413923

Bring your binoculars and join Brian Hill from Somerset Ornithological Society for a morning of bird and butterfly spotting in the summertime gardens. Brian will take you into the Wildflower Meadow for some butterfly spotting, helping you identify different species and the habitats they call home. Brian will also help you identify birds by their song. The walk will last around 90 minutes. Meet at the top of the Daisy Steps at 11am. Places are limited so booking is recommended.…

Folksy Theatre presents Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identities. After being separated from their twins in a shipwreck, Antipholus and his slave Dromio go to Ephesus to find them. The other set of twins live in Ephesus, and the new arrivals cause a case of hilarious mistaken identity. This brilliant Shakespeare comedy is filled with Folksy’s entertaining live music, audience interaction and downright silliness. Bring your friends and family to enjoy this fantastic open-air production on the Orangery Lawn. Gates…

Roll up, roll up to our first Terrific Tuesday of the summer… Circus Fun! Have fun trying your hand at circus skills on the Orangery Lawn and be wowed by Cirque de Silk who will perform a dazzling and daring aerialist show in the gardens. Throughout the day Cirque de Silk will be running taster workshops for children to have a go at aerial arts. Plus, make circus themed crafts in the Orangery. Normal admission applies. Unless specified otherwise, all…

We’ll be sailing some beautiful model boats on the Mill Pond and there’ll be some small radio-controlled ones for you to have a go with too. No need to book – just come on down to the Pear Pond when you arrive at Hestercombe. 50p per child.  Normal admission applies. 10am – 4pm

Mr Magnolia has many things, such as an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot, some very fat owls learning to hoot, a big purple dinosaur who’s a magnificent brute, two sisters who play the flute, and even a swimming pool. But he still only has one boot! Based on the book by Quentin Blake. Join Mr Magnolia on his wacky adventures, filled with music, puppetry and wonderful characters, this family show is one not to be missed. Bring along your picnics,…

Are you ready for a really wild day at Hestercombe? Our second Terrific Tuesday this summer is all about animals. Get up close to a variety of exotic animals and big bugs at the Really Wild Learning Show. Learn lots of amazing facts about the animals and their habitats and enjoy meeting the stars of the show – snakes, lizards, frogs and more – your children will have a truly memorable experience! Head to the Orangery to create some animal-inspired…

Get lost in a world of fairy tales and fantasy at our third Terrific Tuesday… Award winning storyteller Sarah Mooney will bring tales to life through her interactive storytelling sessions throughout the day. Entering a world full of mythical creatures, flower-magic and folklore will spark imagination and leave your little ones buzzing with creativity. Head to the Orangery to make crafts inspired by the world of fantasy and fairy-tale… take them home and continue the storytelling! Normal admission applies.  Unless…

Get active at our fourth Terrific Tuesday as you move it, shake it and more with a day jam-packed with activities to encourage movement and fun. Yoga teacher Katie Louise will be running sessions to introduce yoga as a form of movement and mindfulness for children. Learning about different poses (tree, cat, doormouse and dog!), they’ll leave equipped with the skills to practise more at home! Hettie’s Outdoor Games will be on the Orangery Lawn with a selection of equipment……

We’ll be sailing some beautiful model boats on the Mill Pond and there’ll be some small radio-controlled ones for you to have a go with too. No need to book – just come on down to the Pear Pond when you arrive at Hestercombe. 50p per child.  Normal admission applies. 10am – 4pm

Calling all adventurers for our last Terrific Tuesday. We think adventure matters. That kids need it. And that the world needs adventurous kids… Let your little ones try their hand at the ancient sport of Archery with BBland Outdoor Pursuits. Great for the development of hand-eye coordination skills and perfect for igniting the adventurer within! Just for today, we’re setting up ‘Hestercombe Forest School’ in the Orchard giving all mini adventurers the chance to experience outdoor learning and take part in only-nature-required activities.…

Expert willow weaver Sarah Webb will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful willow deer at this fun workshop. Take your deer home to display in your garden or use it as a festive decoration. Enjoy tea, coffee and mince pies while you work in the Bampfylde Hall and a delicious two-course lunch will be served at the halfway point of your exciting project. The workshop is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of weaving. All materials…

Expert willow weaver Sarah Webb will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful willow deer at this fun workshop. Take your deer home to display in your garden or use it as a festive decoration. Enjoy tea, coffee and mince pies while you work in the Bampfylde Hall and a delicious two-course lunch will be served at the halfway point of your exciting project. The workshop is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of weaving. All materials…

Expert willow weaver Sarah Webb will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful willow deer at this fun workshop. Take your deer home to display in your garden or use it as a festive decoration. Enjoy tea, coffee and mince pies while you work in the Bampfylde Hall and a delicious two-course lunch will be served at the halfway point of your exciting project. The workshop is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of weaving. All materials…