1. Take in the Views
Winter transforms the garden into a landscape of sweeping, uninterrupted vistas. As you ascend the paths of the Landscape Garden, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views across the ponds and out towards the Vale of Taunton and the Blackdown Hills. Without the leafy canopy of summer, the scene opens up, offering you a fresh perspective and panoramas you can only enjoy at this time of year.
2. Beat the Crowds
Springtime bluebells and summer blooms may draw the masses, but winter is your chance to revel in peaceful solitude. Enjoy the luxury of quiet paths, serene surroundings, and an unhurried pace, a rare treat in today’s busy world. Across Hestercombe's 50 acres, it can often feel as though you have the garden all to yourself!
3. Seasonal Interest
Winter reveals a quieter, more delicate beauty in the gardens. Snowdrops carpet the ground in the enchanting Rook Wood, and early daffodils hint at spring’s arrival. In the Formal Garden, the exquisite fragrance of wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) fills the air around the Rotunda, an architectural feature designed to capture and amplify the plant’s aroma. The sensory delights of winter at Hestercombe are as captivating as they are unique.
4. Look After Your Mental Health
Spending time in nature is scientifically proven to benefit mental health, and Hestercombe’s tranquil winter gardens are the perfect setting. The vast vistas of the Landscape Garden can help put things into perspective, while quiet corners like the Chinese Seat, Gothic Alcove, and Witch’s Hut provide ideal spots for reflection. Whether walking, thinking, or simply breathing in the crisp winter air, a visit here is a balm for the soul.
5. Spot Seasonal Wildlife
Even in the colder months, the gardens are alive with the hum of nature. Watch robins dart among hedgerows, wrens hopping across our frosty lawns, or ducks gathering near our ponds and streams. You might even spot a squirrel foraging among the bare branches, a charming reminder of the beauty and resilience of winter wildlife.
Winter at Hestercombe offers a unique opportunity to experience nature’s quieter, more contemplative side. From panoramic views to seasonal blooms and wildlife, the gardens invite you to embrace the stillness and discover a beauty that only this time of year can reveal.
