The Lighter Side
A photographic journey through joy at Hestercombe
Grab a stick of charcoal and some paper as you create wonderful charcoal drawings from textures and surfaces dotted around the gardens.
Hestercombe will be closed all day on Tuesday, December 16th, while the National Grid completes local high-voltage work across the estate. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
This event has ended

In this family garden trail, find the brightly coloured plaques within our Landscape garden as children can create their very own charcoal rubbings - inspired by Hestercombe's history with making charcoal at our Charcoal Burner's Camp.
This is a fantastic sensory trail, designed to have little artists thinking creatively as they search around for new textures and patterns for their paper artworks.
24th July - 5th September ~ Story Stones Trail
24th July - 5th September ~ The Mushroom Magic Trail
21st August - 5th September ~ The Charcoal Creations Trail
Trail price is 50p plus standard garden admission (Hestercombe members go free).
Includes a trail sheet, drawing charcoal and paper.
You can either pay for your gardens admission online, or purchase on the day of your visit at Visitor Reception.
Described as “one of the top twenty gardens to visit in the country”, Hestercombe is always beautiful throughout the year. Join today and enjoy great value: unlimited access to Hestercombe with prices from £4.21 per month.
Give a Gift of Membership to friends and family and they too can enjoy all the benefits of membership.
A photographic journey through joy at Hestercombe

Explore the fascinating history of the Portman family and their Hestercombe estate.

The first in a series of exhibitions, walks and writings at Hestercombe in 2025-26 by artist and writer Lizzie Philps.

The wonder of the festive season is here…. from the quiet beauty of the gardens this winter to our wonderful Christmas children’s trail and festive craft activities in the main house, we’ve something for the whole family this Christmas at Hestercombe. KIDS GO FREE. December 6th – 24th

Join us for a series of tutored workshops at the peaceful winter surroundings at Hestercombe Gardens, where we will learn how to capture beautiful botanical subjects through careful observation and sketching methods. Suitable for all levels.

Join us for a series of tutored workshops at the peaceful winter surroundings at Hestercombe Gardens, where we will learn how to capture beautiful botanical subjects through careful observation and sketching methods. Suitable for all levels.

Join us for a series of tutored workshops at the peaceful winter surroundings at Hestercombe Gardens, where we will learn how to capture beautiful botanical subjects through careful observation and sketching methods. Suitable for all levels.

Join us for a series of tutored workshops at the peaceful winter surroundings at Hestercombe Gardens, where we will learn how to capture beautiful botanical subjects through careful observation and sketching methods. Suitable for all levels.
