Jackson's : Plein Air Day : Hestercombe Gardens

Due to limited capacity, tickets are primarily for participating artists. However, supportive companions who help make an artist's attendance possible are also welcome and, in addition to the artists, will need to secure their place by purchasing a ticket via the Jackson’s website.

£3 covers Jackson's costs, and any remaining proceeds support the venue.

Tickets are refundable up to seven days before the event.

Schedule

• 10am arrival
• 10.15am welcome gathering
• Spend the day painting, drawing, or printing
• 3pm meet-up for a group reflection

What to expect

A casual gathering for artists of all levels to connect and respond to the landscape together, with support and advice on hand from a Jackson's art materials specialist, and a meet-up at the end of the day to look at everyone's artworks. Whether you paint, draw, print, or work with any other medium, everyone is welcome.

How to get there

​By car: Please use the postcode TA2 8LQ for sat nav. The route is marked out with brown daisy signs from the motorway all the way to Cheddon Fitzpaine. Stay on the main road until you reach Hestercombe Gardens. Please note, don't take the turn onto Hestercombe Road as this will take you to the farm.

There is ample parking for the day in the main visitors' car parks.

By train: The nearest railway station is Taunton, which is a 10 minute drive away (walking not recommended). Virgin, Great Western, and Wales and West services serve Taunton station. There is a taxi rank at the station.

By coach: National Express coaches stop at Castle Green in the town centre (15 minute drive away, walking not recommended). There is a taxi rank by the coach stop.

By taxi: You can also pre-book taxis - the following taxi companies are all known to offer accessible services (they have no affiliation with Hestercombe):

• TLC Taxis: 01823 444444
• Taunton Taxi Services: 01823 248248
• A1 Ace Taxis: 01823 332211

About Hestercombe Gardens

Near Taunton, Hestercombe Gardens spans 50 acres and three centuries of garden design. Featuring Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian elements by Bampfylde, Lutyens, and Jekyll, its landscape includes cascades, garden buildings, and a restored mill, uniting history, architecture, and horticulture in one remarkable site.

Recommended views

From the dramatic Great Cascade to the sunken Great Plat, Hestercombe Gardens boasts many striking views. Capture sweeping valley scenes, mirrored ponds, geometric borders, and floral terraces, shaped by centuries of design and evolving light.

What to bring

If you're new to plein air or returning after a break, we've pulled together a curated list of materials to help you prepare - whether you work in oils, acrylics, watercolour, printmaking, or drawing. With thousands of plein air products available on our website, purchasing in advance is the most practical option, and is the reason why we don't bring materials to our events.

Accessibility

The majority of Hestercombe’s historic estate was built at a time when little thought was given to making places accessible, so we have made reasonable adaptations as far as we can within the limitations of a listed building and grounds. There are still some areas that unfortunately cannot be accessed because they include steps and stairs, but we have marked out an all accessibility route in yellow on our Guide Map. On the Guide Map, we have marked routes suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Although we are unable to provide specialist helpers or assistance, our staff will endeavour to help wherever possible.

If you normally require assistance and help please ensure that you bring a helper with you. Your helper will have free admission.

Food and drink options

The restaurant will be open for food and drinks.

Wet weather contingency

The event will go ahead, whatever the weather, so bring suitable clothing for wet weather if it rains.

Caring for Hestercombe

This event is being organised to bring artists together and to highlight the beauty found throughout the UK. Please respect the area throughout the event and take all your litter home with you or dispose of it in bins. All dirty water and solvents should be taken home and disposed of responsibly. Nothing is to be staked into the ground (i.e. umbrellas, gazebos etc.), and please respect the out-of-bounds areas.

Please note

Film and photography may be taking place throughout the event to document the day, for potential promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be filmed or photographed, please let the photographer know.