Super Summer!

About Us

Make this summer's school holiday a Super Summer at Hestercombe with a heap of fantastically fun family events. Activities include outdoor performances, birds of prey and bug hunts to creepy crawlies, crafts, garden trails and children's yoga! Plus, meet characters from Hestercombe's past in the gardens, and try your hand at archery and model boating.

Music...and wildlife!
From the melodic tones of travelling 'Popera House', The Bluebirds, who will be performing The Empress and the Nightingale, to the spidery fun of Creepy Crawlies with Exmoor Zoo and Wild Bug Hunts with Somerset Wildlife Trust, the summer holidays will be jam packed with things to do at Hestercombe!

Birds of prey
For the first time, we'll be joined by some feathered friends who will be visiting the gardens with Somerset Birds of Prey Centre - join us to get up close and personal with a range of cute (but deadly!) predators.

Yoga and garden trails
To keep fit and healthy, why not try some child-friendly yoga outside in the beautiful summer gardens? We'll also be running not one, not two, but three garden trails - choose from the Mushroom Magic Trail, Story Stones, and Charcoal Creations! These are all perfect for burning off some energy, exploring the gardens in a new light and cultivating creative skills.

During the Mushroom Magic Trail there will also be the chance to win your very own specially painted mushroom from amongst the beautifully designed toadstools decorating Rook Wood.

Archery
Take aim… shoot! This summer we will be offering a day of Archery on the Orangery Lawn, an activity which can help develop patience, focus and self-motivation, along with being a fun challenge with family and friends to see who wins.

Model boats...and step back in time
Also on show this summer are our beautiful model boats, which will be available to captain down on the Mill Pond on selected dates. You'll also be able to step back into Hestercombe's past and Meet Miss Warre, who will be strolling around the gardens in her Regency costume, taking in the Georgian garden design and regaling visitors with stories from her past.

Two play areas to enjoy!
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 new wild play area by the Charcoal Burner's Camp.

Food & drink
Treat your little ones (and yourself of course!) with some delicious home-cooked food from the Stables restaurant, which offers a child-friendly menu with full table service. Tasty light bites, cakes, drinks and ice cream are all available from our new cafe, Caffè + Gelato.

*Requires standard garden admission (free for members)

Trails
24th July - 13th August ~ Story Stones Trail
24th July - 5th September ~ The Mushroom Magic Trail
14th August - 5th September ~ The Charcoal Creations Trail

A full list of activities and dates is available on the Hestercombe website.