Hestercombe Gardens

Hestercombe Gardens is a historic house and fifty-acre garden at Cheddon Fitzpaine, just outside Taunton in Somerset. Weddings here use the house, the Orangery and the formal gardens, with a single hire fee that covers seven spaces.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Hestercombe is a strong fit for couples who want a garden wedding with a sense of occasion. You are the only couple married on the grounds that day, so the gardens and the house are yours alone. The team offers as much planning help as you want, and the venue names a dedicated wedding coordinator, which suits couples who prefer one point of contact.

Ceremonies

The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies. Outdoor ceremonies can take place at the garden Temple, and the Orangery is the indoor option, with doors that open onto the lawn. Ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening party can all happen on site.

Receptions and food

The hire fee covers seven spaces, including the Orangery Lawn, the Victorian Terrace and the Dining Room in the historic house. The staircase in the house is a popular spot for photographs. The wedding breakfast and a drinks reception with canapes are part of the offer. Menu and caterer details are not set out on the public pages, so ask during a viewing. The venue runs show-arounds and open days.

Getting there and the area

Hestercombe is a few miles north of Taunton, in the Vale of Taunton Deane, and the Quantock Hills lie to the north west. Taunton has a mainline railway station with services from London Paddington and Bristol. The postcode is TA2 8LG.

The gardens are the main draw. Formal terraces, lawns and planting around the house give you several places for photographs, from the staircase indoors to the lawn outside the Orangery. Ask the wedding coordinator about open days, seasonal planting, and how the day flows between spaces so that guests are never left waiting.

For rooms, look to Taunton and the surrounding villages, as the public pages do not mention bedrooms on site.

Good to know

• One wedding per day on the grounds, with exclusive use.
• Garden Temple and Orangery both work for ceremonies.
• Ask about capacities, parking and accommodation when you visit.