The Orangery at Hestercombe

The orange flower perfumes the bower wrote Sir Walter Scott. A bower being a nook, somewhere to feel private, special. And we all need one of those from time to time or perhaps we need to party. This is precisely the place for either.

The Orangery at Hestercombe is tucked between The Rotunda, from which it is down this flight of steps

 and the Dutch Garden which is up this flight of steps.

It is therefore revealed as a nestling gem.

And the axis of these 3 design features, the steps outside at either end  and the doors open at either end do  all combine to  make the orangery a passageway through which you pass from one garden to another which is seasonally fragrant with orange blossom from the Versailles tubs that line it.

But shut the end doors and open the front ones and with the outside terrace and lawns then you have the perfect glamorous setting for a party.

No surprise then that this is a reception/hospitality venue you can hire.

It looks like its been there for centuries:

But it is a Lutyens tour de force employing all his engaging detail:

Inside the Oranges in Versailles style tubs look happy enough, but these buildings are never really terribly good for growing citrus long term.

And that isn't what this building is really for. This building is play space. Inside it is sophisticated:

It has a fireplace!

And twin winecoolers, one on either side. Fill that with ice and cristal? Yes please!

And it is all very suitable for the fragrant, orange blossomed bride and her swain. But hire it out to them? I'd find it hard to share this one. With a terrace and lawn to the front facing due south toward a marvellous view out over Taunton Vale.

No! When I move into the big house, I'm keeping this one! Sun streaming through the tall windows, you could while away the live - long day. Ok it is a long way for Jenkyns the Butler to walkj to fill my glass, but it will keep him fit!

R