Explore The House and Gardens of Hestercombe

In 1873, Hestercombe House and Gardens, Somerset were purchased by Lord Portman, from the Warre's who had lived on and owned it for nearly four and a half centuries. The Warre's left their mark on the land with the creation of a beautiful landscape garden, Lord Portman's addition was a Victorian terrace and Victorian makeover for the house and when the last Portman passed away in 1953, the house and gardens were leased by Somerset County Council.

The whole estate was later purchased by the local Council in 1978 and the council used the main building as the primary headquarters for the Somerset Fire Brigade.

Since 2003 the Hestercombe Gardens Trust have been in charge of the management of the gardens at Hestercombe and shortly they will be responsible for the house as well. The house requires a substantial renovation to uncover its many features and history and the trust are counting on securing funding through the Heritage Lottery in order to cover this project. Throughout the years, the house has been the subject of many elaborate makeovers. Throughout the property are a wealth of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian features that have remained intact, underneath the institutional decor added by the County Council.

A huge renovation project was required to get the garden back on track following years of neglect and the gardens were finally opened to the public back in 1997, after a great deal of hard work and perseverance to get them back in shape. In the 19th and early 20th Century, many wealthy people employed a very talented and influential garden designer of her time, Gertrude Jeckyll and she was in charge of planning the original planting design for the formal gardens at Hestercombe. Prior to the start of the garden renovation, Jekyll’s original plans for the formal gardens were discovered which meant that the garden could once again appear in its original form.

These days, the gardens are open 364 days a year and visitors flock to this vast garden with its special design combination that spans hundreds of years. The 18th Century, Georgian landscape design was the creation of Coplestone Warre Bampfylde who developed many scenes you could expect to find in a tranquil landscape painting , through carefully planting trees shrubs and creating exquisite lakes. Throughout the vast space, visitors can enjoy landscape painting views from designated positions and points.

The stunning Victorian terrace was built by Lord Portman and creates an elaborate focal point. The famous British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, joined to design and create the incredible formal Edwardian gardens at Hestercombe. Their creation at Hestercombe is considered to be the best formal garden ever designed by this talented team.

Because of its previous dilapidated state, all areas of the garden have been extensively renovated and work is ongoing. The gardens now offer an amazing area of woodland, beautifully designed gardens and cascades, combining unbelievable views with vibrant colour and individual style. Much care has been taken by the trust to preserve and look after wildlife and the environment throughout their work, creating shelter and food for and encouraging a number of different species.

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