Hestercombe Gardens Trust Ticket Portal

Join us in Bampfylde Hall for a day to remember for chocolate lovers.

The Chocolatier Experience will be hosted by Paul Ruttledge, Hestercombe's Patissier, whose experience includes three-rosette restaurants.

You will:

learn how to make chocolate ganache
learn how to enrobe chocolate ganache
decorate chocolates using milk and dark chocolate
Every chocolate you make will be yours to take home to enjoy and share.

Over lunch a special two course menu will be served in the restaurant (included with your ticket).

ILLUMINATE will transport you on a enchanted journey of colour, light and sound to bring festive awe and wonder to our gardens. We're truly excited to create a new dazzling display for 2024. 

The natural features and views of the Landscape Garden come to life at night, with spotlights, lit trees and coloured paths drawing you up towards the Great Cascade, down past beautiful and colourful dynamic fountains in the Pear Pond, below the Formal Garden, before finishing with a show-stopping display in front of Hestercombe House.

This stunning experience is approximately the same walking distance as the sold-out 2023 event, but even more packed with show-stopping sights and sounds to wow the entire family. Prepare to be awe-inspired at our beautiful gardens as they come to life this Christmas.

Illuminate is showing for 29 nights between 21st November and 30th December 2024. Limited capacity slots are available at 15 minute intervals from 4:30pm to 8:00pm (last entry).

Children aged under 2 receive free admission - no need to book a ticket. Tickets must be purchased for children aged 2 to 15.

All tickets are valid for a specific fifteen-minute slot on a specific day and are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable up until 31st October 2024. After the 31st October 2024, tickets cannot be transferred to another day, time or person. To request an amendment, please email info@hestercombe.com.

We are excited to open the restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings of the 29th and 30th November, 6th and 7th December, 14th December, and 20th and 21st December to allow visitors to Illuminate to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked meal prior to walking Illuminate.

A special two course meal will be served at 6pm (arrive for 5.45pm), allowing you and your party to eat and then enjoy Illuminate afterwards at your leisure (last entry 8pm). Please note that the dinner tickets includes entry to Illuminate. Purchase your dinner tickets + Illuminate below:

• Adult £45.00
• Child £22.50
• Member Adult (only during the 29th and 30th November) £42.00
• Member Child (only during the 29th and 30th November) £20.50

View the menu here.

Gluten free, Vegetarian & Vegan options are available. Please email us at food@hestercombe.com with any dietary requirements you may have.

The ticket price includes entry to Illuminate plus the two-course dinner. 

All tickets are valid for a specific day and are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable up until 31st October 2024. After the 31st October 2024, tickets cannot be transferred to another day, time or person. To request an amendment, please email info@hestercombe.com.

A unique opportunity to meet Father Christmas in a magical setting at Hestercombe Gardens.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly Hestercombe elves, who will keep you entertained in the grotto as you wait to meet Father Christmas.

When the time comes you’ll wander through the winter gardens to the man himself. In his sweet little garden folly, the log fire will be roaring, lights will be twinkling on the Christmas tree and sacks of presents will be waiting…

There is a limit of 4 children per timeslot. If you have more than 4 children per family, please choose an additional available timeslot.

An adult (member or non-member ticket) needs to be purchased with a child ticket for the order to be completed. 

All tickets are valid for a specific timeslot on a specific day and are non-refundable. Tickets are transferable up until 31st October 2024. After the 31st October 2024, tickets cannot be transferred to another day, time or person. To request an amendment, please email info@hestercombe.com.