Ugly Bug Ball Trail
Can you name all of the critters in our Ugly Bug Ball Trail this May Half Term?
Due to staff shortages in our catering team (congratulations to our Head Chef who has just gone on paternity leave), over the weekends of the 11th/12th and 18th/19th May we will be serving BBQ food only from outside our Stables Restaurant, as well as cakes, sandwiches and ice cream in our cafe. A limited menu will also be available from Monday to Friday over the next two weeks. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
This event has ended
Date | What's On |
---|---|
Saturday 23rd March - Sunday 14th April | Easter Egg Hunt (all day) - cost £2 per booklet (in addition to garden admission), at the ticket office |
Friday 15th March - Sunday 2nd June | Ugly Bug Ball Family Trail (all day) - FREE when paying garden admission |
Thursday 4th April | Exmoor Zoo, Hestercombe House (11am - 4pm, drop in) - FREE when paying garden admission |
Tuesday 2nd, 9th and Thursday 4th, 11th April | Bug Crafts, Hestercombe House (11am - 4pm, drop in) - FREE when paying garden admission |
Wednesday 3rd and 10th April | Microscope days, Bampfylde Hall (11am - 4pm, drop in) - FREE |
Visit Hestercombe during the Easter holidays for spring flowers, family walks, and baskets of activities including a visit from Exmoor Zoo and creating your own bug hotel.
Don't miss out on our Easter Egg Hunt, just £2 per child (in addition to paying garden admission) with a chocolate surprise at the end. We also have a free 'Ugly Bug Ball' trail available for anyone who has had enough of chocolate!
Come along and have a go at our family activities this Easter:
Exmoor Zoo (included when paying garden admission)
Come and see a variety of wonderful creatures in person inside Hestercombe House (11am to 4pm) - and learn a bit more about them along the way (Thursday 4th April only).
Easter Egg Hunt
Follow the Easter signs hidden around the Formal Gardens to find the 'Golden Egg' and then go claim your special prize! Just £2 per child (when paying garden admission).
Ugly Bug Ball Family Trail (included when paying garden admission)
Dress up a variety of bugs around Rook Wood to get them ready for their party! Free family trail when paying garden admission.
Bug Crafts (included when paying garden admission)
Build your own 'Bug in a Bed', as well as creating a Bug Hotel inside Hestercombe House (11am to 4pm) on Tuesdays (2nd and 9th April) and Thursdays (4th and 11th April).
Microscope Days (FREE)
Big Views of Tiny Creatures exhibition creator, David Spears, will be in Bampfylde Hall with his professional microscope set up helping children and families explore real life minibeasts in person. Taking place on Wednesday 3rd and 10th April inside Bampfylde Hall.
On your visit, stop off at either of our play areas for some extra fun. Our under-7s play area is situated by the Visitor Reception, and children both young and old will enjoy building dens up in our wild play area by the Charcoal Burner’s Camp.
Food & drink
Treat your little ones (and yourself of course!) to some delicious home-cooked food from the Stables Restaurant, which offers a child-friendly menu with full table service. Tasty light bites, cakes, drinks, ice cream (and some Easter themed goodies!) are all available from our café.
Please note: You don't need to book to attend any of the Easter events. Simply purchase standard garden admission (free for members) and drop-in at the right time. The Easter Egg Hunt trail booklets will be priced at £2 (including prize) and can be purchased at the ticket office on arrival - the chocolate prize can be claimed at the gallery or gift shop. We also have a free 'Ugly Bug Ball' trail available (when paying garden admission) for anyone who has had enough of chocolate!
Join as a Hestercombe member to get free access to all of our family activities!
Standard gardens admission applies (Hestercombe members go free).
If you have any queries about your admission, please email our Visitor Reception or call 01823 413923
Can you name all of the critters in our Ugly Bug Ball Trail this May Half Term?
Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock is coming to life at Hestercombe Gardens during the Summer Holidays.
We welcome Folksy for a performance of Quentin Blake's Angelica Sprocket's Pockets
We welcome Folksy Theatre for an evening outside performance of ‘As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.