Christmas Market
Visit our annual Christmas Market to find a range of beautiful, locally sourced gifts, crafts and Christmas presents
Lino print your Christmas cards
Come and get all festive creating your very own lino cut in this 3 hour workshop with Gemma Lane from Green Fox workshops.
Halloween Spook-tacular at Hestercombe
Time to get spooky with our Halloween Spook-tacular activities!
Bampfylde Lecture: Head Gardener at Munstead Wood
Join us for our Bampfylde Winter Lecture, with guest speaker Annabel Watts, Head Gardener at Munstead Wood.
What Stories Make Worlds Conversations Event
Join us for an afternoon of conversation with artists Emma Critchley, Feral Practice with Megan Broadmeadow, Hannah Fletcher, Lydia Halcrow, Jem Southam and curator Tim Martin.
Fungal Foray at Hestercombe
Join Michael Jordan, author and chairman of the Fungus Conservation Trust, for a fun and informative walk to discover and identify mushrooms and toadstools in the gardens
End of Season Plant Sale
Hestercombe's Plant Centre is holding its popular end of season Plant Sale, starting on Saturday 12th October, until stocks last!
Frame Basket Making Workshop with Windrush Willow
Learn the timeless craft of weaving beautiful, functional baskets.
September is Members' Month
A thank you to our members this September.
Hestercombe's Fun Dog Show
Join us for a pawfect day with your four-legged family members at our fun dog show, taking place on our beautiful Orangery Lawn.
As You Like It with Folksy Theatre
We welcome Folksy Theatre for an evening outside performance of ‘As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare.
Sunflower Walk
Enjoy our walk to the Water Garden and pick your own sunflowers through the new meadow.
Walking, Talking, Making with Lydia Halcrow
Join artist Lydia Halcrow for a walking, talking making workshop.
Angelica Sprocket's Pockets with Folksy Theatre
We welcome Folksy for a performance of Quentin Blake's Angelica Sprocket's Pockets
Petting Farm at Hestercombe
Get ready for a heart-warming experience as 2nd Chance Petting Farm brings a delightful array of rescue animals to visit us throughout the school holidays!
Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock AR Trail
Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock is coming to life at Hestercombe Gardens during the Summer Holidays.
Sunset Supper
Enjoy Hestercombe after hours with a sunset stroll and delicious two-course supper and drink.
Evening Garden Tour - Head Gardener Claire Greenslade
This National Garden Scheme (NGS) event will include a private evening tour of Hestercombe gardens with our Head Gardener, Claire Greenslade.
Willow Weaving by Windrush Willow
We are thrilled to welcome Windrush Willow to our Marquee Lawn this summer!
Ugly Bug Ball Trail
Can you name all of the critters in our Ugly Bug Ball Trail this May Half Term?
TEST BED - an artistic afternoon to see, hear, to walk and talk
An artistic afternoon to see, hear, to walk and talk.
Quantock Classics Car Meet
Hestercombe is welcoming Quantock Classics to the turning circle
Spring Fair
Visit our brand new Spring Fair to explore a range of locally sourced gifts, crafts, plants, food and drink and fun activities for the whole family.
Gluck’s Flowers
A new play by Brenda Callis
Bluebell Walk
Enjoy a walk around our woodland at Gotton Copse - which will be awash with tens of thousands of bluebells
Creepy Crawlies with Exmoor Zoo
Exmoor Zoo are back this Easter with a variety of wonderful minibeasts to meet.
Easter at Hestercombe
Join us over the Easter holidays for a family garden trail, egg hunt and fun activities
DECENNIUM at Hestercombe Gallery
New exhibition celebrating 10 years of Hestercombe Gallery.
Big Views of Tiny Creatures Exhibition
Join us for our free new minibeast exhibition, 'Big Views of Tiny Creatures', by David Spears in Bampfylde Hall.
Mother's Day at Hestercombe
Treat mum to the day she deserves at Hestercombe
March is Members' Month
A thank you to our members this March
Bampfylde Lecture 2024: A conversation with Philip and Tim
Join us for our annual Bampfylde lecture: a farewell to Hestercombe's founder Philip White MBE in conversation with author Tim Richardson
Valentine's Day
A unique dining experience in the restaurant
The Family Tree Trail
Join us this February half term for our fun Family Tree Trail.
Landscapes of Progress?
New exhibition exploring human progress, landscape and the environment.
We Are Here: A pop-up, neurodivergent film festival
Centred around Hestercombe’s Apple Loft, this pop-up film festival presents a series of short films and excerpts made in the West Country over the past few years.
Bampfylde Series October 2023: Harris Bugg Studio
Join us for our new, seasonal Bampfylde Series of talks, with guest speakers Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg of Harris Bugg Studio
Naomi Kendall and Lisa Takahashi: Pop-Ups
As part of Somerset Open Studios, Naomi Kendall and Lisa Takahashi will bring pop-up studios and an exhibition to Hestercombe House.
Susan Derges: Many Moons Conversations Event (Fully Booked)
Join us for an afternoon of conversation with artist Susan Derges, poets Fiona Benson and John Wedgwood Clarke, and historian of photography and poet, Mark Haworth-Booth OBE.
Meet the Makers - Natty Deco
Meet Maggie Powell of Natty Deco, one of the local makers featured in our Gallery Shop
The Merry Wives of Windsor by Folksy Theatre
We welcome Folksy for an evening outside performance of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ by William Shakespeare.
Kids cricket at Hestercombe
Join Somerset County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Foundation at Hestercombe for some fun inflatable cricket games.
The Ugly Duckling with Folksy Theatre
We welcome Folksy for a performance of ‘The Ugly Duckling’.
Family Waggle Dance Game
Join us this summer for free family waggle dance experiences
Summer Pass
New for 2023, unlimited access in the summer holidays when purchasing one visit
Susan Derges: Many Moons
New exhibition featuring works from artist Susan Derges, who is internationally renowned for quite literally inventing new ways of making pictures.
Time to Bee Friendly Trail
Join us this summer for a hive of family activities
Design for Life Conversations Event
This event brings together artists, architects and curators to discuss their work, collections and themes in the current ‘Design for Life’ exhibition, which visually explores the historical intersection of art and architecture from the past 65 years.
Father's Day Model Boating
Treat your Dad to the day he deserves at Hestercombe.
Traditional Charcoal Burn
Join our gardeners up at the Charcoal Burner's Camp to experience the old-fashioned life of a woodsman.
The Caterpillar Word Hunt
Join us this May half term for a family word hunt around Hestercombe House
Garden Tour with Head Gardener Claire Greenslade (with Cream Tea)
Join Claire Greenslade, Hestercombe's Head Gardener, for a private walk around the gardens.
Coronation Picnic
Join us for a picnic on our marquee lawn to celebrate the King's Coronation.
Our precious countryside – bad news or good?
An illustrated talk on the Somerset countryside by Dr Chris Smith
Design for Life: Art and Architecture - Part 1
New international exhibition featuring work from Le Corbusier to the present day
Bampfylde Lecture 2023: The Houses and Gardens of Sir Edwin Lutyens
Join us for our annual Bampfylde winter lecture, with guest speaker Charles Hind MA, FSA, Chief Curator at the Royal Institute of British Architects
Free Nordic Walking with Wellsprings Leisure Centre
free when paying standard garden admission or for members
Volunteering Open Day
Join the Hestercombe team for a free afternoon of talks and tours to find out more about our volunteer opportunities
Free TT Kidz Table Tennis Taster with Wellsprings Leisure Centre
free for members or when paying standard garden admission
I Heart Nature Trail
Join us this February half term for a children's trail inspired by nature and art
Landscape Resonances
Focusing on the content of the current exhibition (Expanding Landscapes: Painting After Land Art), curated by Rebecca Partridge and Joy Sleeman, and the transformations in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in landscape art and painting.
Free Yoga Taster with Wellsprings Leisure Centre
free with garden admission or for members
Giant Book Sale
Hestercombe is holding a Giant Book Sale in the main gift shop (opposite restaurant)
January Pass
New for 2023, unlimited access in January when purchasing one visit
Expanding Landscapes: Painting After Land Art
showcases work by fourteen artists including Jessica Warboys, Richard Long, Onya McCausland, Nancy Holt, Hannah Brown and Turner Prize 2022 nominee Ingrid Pollard
Residence (Residue, Resonance)
Coinciding with the exhibition opening (Expanding Landscapes: Painting After Land Art), and including conversations with curators and artists
Spellbound Science with Sciencedipity
Back by popular demand, Sciencedipity will be visiting Hestercombe again for a spellbinding masterclass of potion making.
Artists Discussion: A Rose is a Rose: Digging Deeper
With artists Brendan Barry, Feral Practice, John Newling, Sophy Rickett and Marjolaine Ryley, special guest Hannah Fletcher of The Sustainable Darkroom and curators Kate Best and Tim Martin
The Sustainable Darkroom
Herbal Chemigrams: foraging to make photographic developer for chemigrams and tea infusions with The Sustainable Darkroom
From the Garden: A Beginners Guide to Eco-Printing with Marjolaine Ryley
With Marjolaine Ryley, plus Phytocentric with Feral Practice. This workshop introduces how you can make your own botanical inks, photo emulsions and use plants for contact printing to create your own eco-prints.
Much Ado About Nothing with Folksy Theatre
A comedy written by Shakespeare about misunderstandings, deception and love...
Alice in Wonderland with Folksy Theatre
A fantasy world filled with peculiar characters, where the unexpected is to be expected...
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose Events
Father's Day at Hestercombe
Treat your Dad to the day he deserves at Hestercombe
Traditional Charcoal Burn 2022
Join the gardeners up at the Charcoal Burner's Camp to experience the old-fashioned life of a woodsman ~ and get free marshmallows to toast.
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
Five artists - Brendan Barry, Feral Practice, John Newling, Sophy Rickett and Marjolaine Ryley - present new works exploring art and sustainability in the face of the climate emergency and declining biodiversity
Terrarium Workshop
Join our terrarium workshop and learn step by step how to create your very own self sustaining ecosystem
'Things That Pass a Thousand Times': Unearthing Hestercombe's Collections
For the first time ever, Hestercombe will display never-before-seen objects from its archives, showcasing an array of items spanning across five-hundred years
National Garden Scheme Open Day
Visit Hestercombe Gardens on Tuesday 1st March and Tuesday 7th June 2022 to support the National Garden Scheme's Open Days
Changing Atmospheres: Artists' Walk and Talk
Join four of the artists showing as part of our Changing Atmospheres exhibition for a guided tour and relaxed conversation about their creative processes
Bampfylde Lecture 2022: Marcus Chilton-Jones
Join us for our annual Bampfylde winter lecture, with guest speaker Marcus Chilton-Jones MA, Curator at RHS Bridgewater Gardens
February half-term at Hestercombe
Branch out at Hestercombe this half-term with our pop-up Forest School inspired activities!
Changing Atmospheres
Changing Atmospheres explores creative responses from nine unique artists on what it means to rediscover connection to natural environments and the self
The Barmy Bats Trail
Help Gertrude the bat and her flappy friends find the ingredients for their disgustingly-delicious centipede pudding!
Fungal Foray *fully booked*
*This event is fully booked* Join Michael Jordan, author and chairman of the Fungus Conservation Trust, for a fun and informative walk to discover and identify mushrooms and toadstools in the gardens.
SEDIMENT: Book Launch and Mariele Neudecker ‘In Conversation’ with Tim Martin
Celebrated artist Mariele Neudecker will discuss her practice, career and current exhibition at Hestercombe Gallery, SEDIMENT, with Artistic Director and artist Tim Martin.
Mushroom Magic Trail: Toadstool Auction
A number of beautiful hand-painted, solid wood carved toadstools are to be auctioned as part of The Mushroom Magic Trail
Punting on the Pear Pond
Join us for a unique ride on Hestercombe's beautiful Edwardian punt as we return 'Constance' to the Pear Pond
The Charcoal Creations Trail
Grab a stick of charcoal and some paper as you create wonderful charcoal drawings from textures and surfaces dotted around the gardens.
SEDIMENT
Mapping, the Arctic, the Deep Sea and lockdown drawings in an exhibition of work by Mariele Neudecker
The Tempest *fully booked*
Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest features a major act of betrayal, ill treatment, the development of magic arts and a plot of revenge...
The Mushroom Magic Trail
Explore Rook Wood this summer, as it magically transforms into a fungal paradise filled with terrific toadstools!
Super Summer!
Make this summer’s school holiday a Super Summer at Hestercombe with a heap of fantastically fun events, all aimed at children and families.
The Story Stones Trail
On this fun family garden trail, find the words nestled within the Landscape Garden and create your own unique story book to take home!
Summer Flower Arranging Workshop
Spend a morning flower arranging with experienced florist and flower grower Jan from Blue Shed Flowers.
Summer Late Openings
Hestercombe's gardens will be open until 8pm on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer until the end of September.
Traditional Charcoal Burn 2021
Join the gardeners up at the Charcoal Burner's Camp to experience the old-fashioned life of a woodsman ~ and get free marshmallows to toast.
Bottomless Brunch (Weekends)
Enjoy a sumptuous bottomless brunch from 10am to 11.30am every Saturday and Sunday ~ perfect for catch-ups with friends!
The Great Hestercombe Art Heist Trail
Cassie the Cat Burglar is out causing mischief, threatening to steal the artworks dotted around Hestercombe's gardens. Complete fun activities at each artwork, learning a bit about how it was made whilst tracking Cassie's footsteps.
Landscape Portrait: Now and Then
This diverse show brings works by Andy Warhol, Derek Jarman, Claudette Johnson, Susan Derges, Leon Kossoff, Patrick Caulfield, Gilbert and George and Balraj Khanna to Somerset, and for the first time to Hestercombe.
The Artist's Apprentice Trail
Join intrepid artist Coplestone Warre Bampfylde as you traverse his landscape gardens, jumping from view to view as you create a masterpiece of your own!
Pizza Night
The Hestercombe chefs will be firing up the pizza oven with a simple, delicious pizza menu on the evening of Sunday 2nd May.
Easter Takeaway Food
Whilst our Cafe and Courtyard are being refurbished, the Hestercombe chefs will be preparing some special food for you over the Easter school holidays
Easter Trail 2021: Coplestone and the Grand Tour
Grab your Hestercombe passport and explore various European cities as you track down everything from Easter eggs to flying bells in 5 unique 'Where's Wally?' style challenges.
Easter Trail: Flower Power!
Get back to nature with our Flower Power trail, and learn about the colourful flowers popping up around Hestercombe this spring!
Bampfylde Lecture 2021: Sir Andrew Burns
Sir Andrew Burns KCMG is the guest speaker at Hestercombe's annual Bampfylde Lecture, which this year will be live streamed for the very first time.
Takeaway Italian Night
The wood-fired pizza oven will be in action tonight, as we keep the menu simple and delicioso with pizza, pasta and arrancini.
Takeaway Pie Night
Celebrate our nation’s love of pies and enjoy a selection of tasty creations from Hestercombe’s chefs – all to take away.
Takeaway Burger Night
Treat yourself to a mid-January feast with a delicious range of homemade burgers – and take them away to enjoy at home.
Coplestone Warre Bampfylde: A Gentleman of Taste
To celebrate Coplestone Warre Bampfylde’s life and his importance to the history of Hestercombe and the South West, we bring together the largest survey of his original artworks and objects ever seen in one place, through the exhibition ‘A Gentleman of Taste’.
Open-Up: Outdoor Exhibition
Open-Up is a series of outdoor artworks commissioned by Hestercombe Gallery in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jackdaw Line by Richard Long
Commissioned as part of Bampfylde 300, celebrated artist Richard Long’s artwork Jackdaw Line is set in Hestercombe’s magnificent Georgian Landscape Garden.
Most Admirably Improved by Art
Most Admirably Improved by Art Charlotte Hodes, Rebecca Partridge, Kelly Richardson, Fiona Hingston with Coplestone Warre Bampfylde (1720-1791)
Easter Trail: Coplestone and the Grand Tour
Spring Watercolour Workshop
May Half Term Trail: Coplestone and the Charcoal Creations Trail
Beeswax Wrap Making Workshop
Creative Writing Workshop
Soap Making Workshops
February Half Term Activities
Willow Weaving Workshop: Garden Obelisk
Half Term Trail: The Artist's Apprentice
The Artist's Apprentice: Half Term Trail
Gardening Masterclass: Get Your Garden Ready For Spring
Renowned artist Ben Rivers presents Urthworks at Hestercombe Gallery
Projections: Exhibiting Artists Film Workshop
Urthworks, an Exploration
Grazing not Gazing Film Workshop
Taunton Toad Trail Auction
Family Craft Workshop: Spell Making
Family Craft Workshop: Shadow Puppets
Family Craft Workshop: Make a Thaumatrope
Family Craft Workshop: Peg Dolls
Urthworks by Ben Rivers
Renowned artist Ben Rivers presents Urthworks at Hestercombe Gallery, from 9 November 2019 to 9 February 2020
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Murder Mystery Trail: The Curious Case of Mildred Hester
Nordic Walking
Wellbeing Retreat
Penny Dreadful: Halloween Family Theatre
Restart a Heart Day 2019
Hestercombe Gallery Event: Where Function Ends Symposium
Bank Holiday Pizza
Naughty Gnomes Trail
International Garden Photographer of the Year: Images of a Green Planet
Summer Senses Trail
Where function ends: the Architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens
To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), Hestercombe Gallery presented Where Function Ends, including new work by three artists that responds to the legacy of the man whose designs transformed the Hestercombe site.
Edwardian Punting on the Pear Pond
Father's Day BBQ
Gardens Drawing Workshop
Tom's Wildflower Walks
Half-Term Family Craft Workshop
Summer Lates: Punting on the Pear Pond
Summer Lates: Fire & Feast Night
Summer Lates: Pizza & Music Nights
Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf - Preview Screening
Head Gardener's After Hours Tour and Supper
Somerset Day Cream Tea
Guided Bluebell Walk
Simon Faithfull: Elsewhen
The solo exhibition ‘Elsewhen’ brought together a series of works and interventions by internationally acclaimed artist Simon Faithfull that collectively act as a kind of orientation device for both the artist and the visitor to Hestercombe Gallery.
Make a Minibeast Home
Wildflower Wander Family Trail
Willow Basket Workshop
Dotty Duckling's Easter Egg Hunt Trail
Willow Hearts Workshop
Materiality: provisional states
Featured artists: Sarah Bennett, Megan Calver and Philippa Lawrence
Gertrude Jekyll: An Artist’s Eye
Gertrude Jekyll: An Artist’s Eye presents original paintings and photography of her gardens.
Prospect Refuge Hazard 2
This exhibition presented a new and recent body of work by internationally acclaimed artist Helen Sear.
Cultivation: Points of Vantage
Featured artists: Anna Barriball; George Shaw; John Brown; John Newling; Mariele Neudecker; Mary Griffiths; Mary McIntyre; Mikhail Karikis.
Trish Morrissey: A Certain Slant of Light
New Exhibition from Hestercombe's Artist in Residence
Odyssean: Topographies
Discussion by Natasha Rosling, Alexander Stevenson, Alistair Grant, Simon Lee Dicker
Dynamics of Drifting: Tim Knowles
This exhibition was the first solo exhibition of artist Tim Knowles’s work since 2014 and the most extensive presentation of his work at the time.
A Landscape of Objects: En plein air
An exhibition of art work created through Somerset Art Works’ Projects with InspirED schools.
Buffet d’art
Buffet d’art showcased an array of work by 45 artists all of whom contributed buffet sized pieces of work to be perused on a plinth.
Regions of Light
Diverse exhibition of historic and contemporary art
Shifting Ground by Stephen Smith
This exhibition by artist Stephen Smith was accompanied by works from the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art.
Clean Heart: a Landscape Retrospective
Clean Heart: A Landscape Retrospective presents work from internationally acclaimed artist Clare Woods
Terrain: Land into Art
An exhibition that maps a series of relationships between artists and landscapes.
Wish You Were Here?
A selection of the Postcards Collection by Jeremy Cooper, featuring over 200 artists.
Simon Bayliss: Arcadia
During a summer-long artist residency at Hestercombe, artist Simon Bayliss has responded to the gardens through painting en plein air and writing poetry
Double Take: Photography and the Garden
Double Take: Photography and the Garden brought together photographs by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) with work by leading contemporary artists Sarah Jones, Helen Sear and Mark Edwards
A Personal Passion
This exhibition focused on the personal passions of art collector Chris Ingram, and showcased important works from the twentieth century to the present day
Second Site
Second Site presented new contemporary work by five artists who responded to Hestercombe Gallery’s reclaimed spaces through exploration of Hestercombe’s history and recent re-unification between the house and gardens
Oceans by Tania Kovats
Oceans, a solo show by Tania Kovats, is the second exhibition at Hestercombe Gallery, and presents a selection of the artist’s existing work made between 1993 and 2004
Leaping the Fence
The opening exhibition at Hestercombe Gallery presents groundbreaking artists such as Tracey Emin, Mark Wallinger, Mark Quinn, Mike Nelson and Susan Philipsz among others, many of them Turner Prize winners and nominees
