South West: Hestercombe Gardens

The South West region have had a great succession of events this year starting with The Newt followed by various socials. With the region so vast the committee have been keen to hold an event in another location and so have opted to visit the magnificent historical gardens at Hestercombe. The day will include a guided tour of the gardens, led by Head Gardener Claire Greenslade who is looking forward to meeting us and sharing her expertise and knowledge.

During our visit, the 'What Stories Make Worlds' exhibit will be on at the Hestercombe Gallery, an exhibit exploring landscape and environment. Although not part of our event, attendees will have access to view the exhibit after lunch. More information here.

On the day:

10:00am: arrival and welcome

11:00am: Exclusive garden tour with Head Gardener Claire Greenslade

1:00pm: Lunch in Bampfylde Hall, a buffet of sandwiches and cake whilst networking

2:30pm: Finish

About Hestercombe Gardens

Hestercombe Gardens comprises of 50 acres of quintessential Somerset Gardens near Taunton. Spanning three centuries of garden design, the gardens offer a unique combination of the Georgian Landscape Garden (designed circa 1750’s), the Victorian Shrubbery, and the Edwardian Formal Gardens (early 1900’s).

The Georgian Landscape Garden was the first part of the garden to be built by Coplestone Warre-Bampfylde in the 1750’s. The idea was to imitate landscape art, a living painting with the idea that you are to experience different emotions as you walk through the gardens. There are three seats, each with a different view – Chinese Seat with views of the Vale of Taunton, The Rustic Seat, a romantic centre piece that frames The Cascade and the Mausoleum – an enclosed garden seat which is set into a tablet above the doorway.

There are many other areas of the gardens we will explore, including The Octagon Summerhouse, Valley of the Cascade, Charcoal Burners Camp, Sibyls Temple, Gothic Alcove, Temple Arbour, Wild Flower Meadow, Bluebell Walk, Turkish Tent and the Capriccio.

About Claire Greenslade 

Claire is Head Gardener at Hestercombe Gardens. She found a love of gardening via an organic gardening course poster and after a few weeks on the gardening course, Claire found herself volunteering at Barley Wood Walled Gardens whilst working evenings for a restaurant. Whilst pursuing an apprenticeship with the National Trust Careership, Claire was placed at Barrington Court with a group of gardeners who collectively together had worked there for over 30 years! When the apprenticeship ended, Claire found herself working at Ryton Organic Garden where she was able to show people how to garden organically at home.

This progression led to Claire find a role at Hestercombe where she thought she might only be there for a couple of years, however her career blossomed and she is now Head Gardener and has had the privilege of watching the charity of Hestercombe Gardens Trust, grow.