Events at Hestercombe

Join us every day throughout the February half-term school holidays to take part in a range of exciting family activities in the gardens!

Enjoy garden trails, pizza-making, model boating, family crafts and our 17th century mill demos.

Following in the footsteps of former Hestercombe owner Coplestone Warre Bampfylde around the gardens, young artists will create their own version of one of Coplestone's paintings whilst learning about his life along the way.

Paris! Venice! Switzerland! Greece! Visit stop-offs inspired by locations visited by Georgians on their European 'Grand Tour'.

Try to find Coplestone in a Where's Wally-style challenge.

The trail runs every day throughout the Easter holidays.

Follow our fun trail for May Half Term, Coplestone and the Charcoal Creations Trail.

Create charcoal rubbings from hidden plaques dotted around the Hestercombe gardens.

Enjoy the gardens until 8pm on the summer evenings with our season of special late openings.

Explore the landscapes after hours and leave work behind, with delicious food on offer too.

Wednesdays 10th, 17th & 24th June and 1st, 8th & 15th July.

Learn the art of willow weaving on this one-day workshop. Make two willow garden supports during the day, and leave with something beautiful for your garden.

Materials, refreshments and lunch included.

Join Nichola from Boo Cottage Botanicals for a hands-on Soap Making Workshop.

Learn about the creative and scientific techniques involved in the process while you make a batch of cold-pressed natural soap to take home.

Join writer Vicky Holmes for a Creative Writing Workshop where you can explore the beautiful gardens at Hestercombe to find inspiration for all kinds of writing, from short stories to poetry. 

Vicky will teach you technical and observation skills that will allow your writing and inner author to develop.

Learn how to four unique beeswax wraps of different sizes at one of our evening workshops.

Take them home to improve your sustainable living and reduce your single-use plastic usage.

Join our Spring Watercolour Workshop at Hestercombe, and learn the techniques and skills to paint scenes from the beautiful gardens.

Suitable for beginners.

Join Nichola from Boo Cottage Botanicals for a hands-on Soap Making Workshop.

Learn about the creative and scientific techniques involved in the process while you make a batch of cold-pressed natural soap to take home.

Join Tom Mayberry, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust, for the annual Bampfylde Lecture – a celebration of the birthday of Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, designer of the Landscape Garden at Hestercombe.

Make an evening of it and enjoy a two course supper in Hestercombe House before the lecture.

Join landscape gardener Ben on a guided walk into the stunning Bluebell Wood at Hestercombe.

Learn about the different varieties, how they grow, and how the area is managed.

The acclaimed Albion Quartet return for an evening concert.

Dine with the musicians afterwards at a special supper.

Enjoy the gardens until 8pm on the summer evenings with our season of special late openings.

Explore the landscapes after hours and leave work behind, with delicious food on offer too.

Wednesdays 10th, 17th & 24th June and 1st, 8th & 15th July.

Following in the footsteps of former Hestercombe owner Coplestone Warre Bampfylde around the gardens, young artists will create their own version of one of Coplestone's paintings whilst learning about his life along the way.

Learn the art of willow weaving on this one-day workshop. Make two willow garden supports during the day, and leave with something beautiful for your garden.

Materials, refreshments and lunch included.

Come and have a go at the Hestercombe Woodland Wander - 5km and 2km fun runs. No times, no pressure - it's about getting active and having fun.

Suitable for all ages and abilities, and dog friendly.

Join Nichola from Boo Cottage Botanicals for a hands-on Soap Making Workshop.

Learn about the creative and scientific techniques involved in the process while you make a batch of cold-pressed natural soap to take home.

Paris! Venice! Switzerland! Greece! Visit stop-offs inspired by locations visited by Georgians on their European 'Grand Tour'.

Try to find Coplestone in a Where's Wally-style challenge.

The trail runs every day throughout the Easter holidays.

Join landscape gardener Ben on a guided walk into the stunning Bluebell Wood at Hestercombe.

Learn about the different varieties, how they grow, and how the area is managed.

Come to our Plant Fair to meet local growers and specialist nurseries.

Find herbs, perennials, roses, and rare plants for your garden and home.

Learn how to four unique beeswax wraps of different sizes at one of our evening workshops.

Take them home to improve your sustainable living and reduce your single-use plastic usage.

Join our Spring Watercolour Workshop at Hestercombe, and learn the techniques and skills to paint scenes from the beautiful gardens.

Suitable for beginners.

Join Nichola from Boo Cottage Botanicals for a hands-on Soap Making Workshop.

Learn about the creative and scientific techniques involved in the process while you make a batch of cold-pressed natural soap to take home.

Enjoy the gardens until 8pm on the summer evenings with our season of special late openings.

Explore the landscapes after hours and leave work behind, with delicious food on offer too.

Wednesdays 10th, 17th & 24th June and 1st, 8th & 15th July.

Join Tom Mayberry, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust, for the annual Bampfylde Lecture – a celebration of the birthday of Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, designer of the Landscape Garden at Hestercombe.

Make an evening of it and enjoy a two course supper in Hestercombe House before the lecture.

Treat your mum to a delicious two or three course lunch in our beautiful Bampfylde Hall, this Mothering Sunday.

Lunch served 12 – 2.30pm; two course and three course options available.

Treat your mum to a delicious afternoon tea in the Column Room and enjoy beautiful views over the Edwardian Garden and Somerset countryside.

Booking is essential.

The acclaimed Albion Quartet return for an evening concert.

Dine with the musicians afterwards at a special supper.

Enjoy the gardens until 8pm on the summer evenings with our season of special late openings.

Explore the landscapes after hours and leave work behind, with delicious food on offer too.

Wednesdays 10th, 17th & 24th June and 1st, 8th & 15th July.

Set alongside original works by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde (1720-1791), Hestercombe’s former owner, Most Admirably Improved by Art brings together four female contemporary artists Charlotte Hodes, Rebecca Partridge, Kelly Richardson and Fiona Hingston.

Coinciding with Bampfylde 300, the celebrations of the tercentenary of Coplestone Warre Bampfylde (1720 - 1791), A Gentleman of Taste is a year-long exhibition presented by Hestercombe Gallery at Hestercombe Gardens, and explores the many themes running through the life and work of Hestercombe's former owner.