Hestercombe house and gardens in Somerset falls into administration

Hestercombe, a visitor attraction, estate and gardens in Somerset, has fallen into administration amid declining visitor numbers. The Taunton estate, which includes landscaped gardens and a 16th century house, is open to the public and also used as a wedding venue.

Forvis Mazars have been appointed as joint administrators of operating companies Hestercombe Gardens Trust and Hestercombe Gardens Limited. The estate remains open to the public, with the site continuing to trade under the supervision of the administrators.

Mark Boughey, joint administrator, commented: “Despite the passion and commitment of the current management team and following a period of cost cutting and reorganisation, it is sad to see such a popular and loved historic house and gardens left with no alternative but to appoint administrators to protect the assets."

Visitor numbers at the attraction have declined over the past year, while its wedding and cafe operations have failed to generate the required profitability for the attraction to remain viable.

Mark Boughey said that Hestercombe had faced “increasing cost pressures” and that, ultimately, trustees were left with “little option but to seek the protection of administration and the support of administrators”.

Boughey added that the estate would continue to operate as usual for the time being while the joint administrators “explore all options for future sustainability."

According to Hestercombe’s trustees, despite efforts to stabilise the site’s financial position, it was no longer viable under its existing operational model.

They continued: “The trustees hope that the appointment of administrators will ensure a structured and professional approach to managing the trust’s cash flows and assets while exploring potential avenues for future sustainability including a restructuring and/or the sale of assets."

In accounts for the year ending December 31 2023, Hestercombe Gardens Trust reported fixed assets valued at £12.5 million and current assets of slightly over £195,000, with total charity funds amounting to approximately £10.9 million.

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