Sunday 24th November - Due to high winds this morning and fallen branches around the gardens, we will be opening at the later time of 11am today. Illuminate will take place as planned tonight.
Due to the weather some routes leading to Hestercombe are closed due to fallen trees, please check your route here before travelling as visitors may need to take alternative routes to the venue.
Hestercombe has several charcoal burns every summer to help with the sustainable management of our woodland. Fallen trees are chopped up and packed into the kiln at the charcoal burners camp up in the Landscape Gardens and the charcoal burn spreads over four days.
The kiln is lit and then as the wood slowly burns down it becomes charcoal. The kiln is left to cool for a couple of days and then the lovely fresh charcoal is unloaded and bagged up for sale in the Plant Centre.
Not only does this help maintain the huge woodland areas at Hestercombe but it helps to make us more self-sufficient. The Catering Team use our own charcoal for their BBQs, which are becoming a firm feature here - the next one is an extra special event in celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday – using our charcoal means that our barbeques are not damaging the environment and we know exactly where the wood comes from, and when it will be replaced, unlike so many cheap producers of charcoal.
Pop along on Sunday 16th whatever the weather, to enjoy a full BBQ with delicious salads and freshly cooked food, plus games for all the family – celebrate in style!
