Hestercombe

F and I visited Hestercombe near Taunton today.  I had never been there before and was very impressed with the Georgian Garden behind the house spreading up the hill and along the many woodland paths passing Pear Pond and follies, temples, and waterfalls. It is Grade I listed and designed by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde (! what a name) in the 1750's.  He was also an artist of note which influence the views he created from different standpoints similar to those in Italian paintings and drawings of that time.    The extra photograph is of Pear Pond and berries of the Spindle.  What is good is that people are allowed to walk their dogs through the woods and into the cafe.  

The more formal Edwardian  garden in front of the house was designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Edward Lutyens.  The warmer months are the best time to visit when the flowers are out but the views over Taunton  Vale were impressive.