FRESH efforts are being made by joint administrators to secure the long-term future of a historic estate near Taunton as it ‘transitions out of administration’.
Forvis Mazars, with Mark Boughey and Rebecca Dacre acting as joint administrators, is working with the trustees of Hestercombe Gardens Trust to deliver a new strategy aimed at ‘securing the long-term sustainability of the historic Somerset estate and enabling its exit from administration.’
Mark Boughey, partner at Forvis Mazars and Joint Administrator of Hestercombe, said: “We have worked closely with the trustees and wider stakeholders to stabilise the position at Hestercombe and to develop a sustainable future for the estate.
“The estate remains an important cultural and community asset, and this next phase focuses on securing the leadership and operational structure needed to support its long-term future.”
Hestercombe House and Gardens is a nationally significant heritage site featuring a 16th-century house and gardens spanning multiple centuries of design.
The heritage site entered administration in August 2025 following ‘sustained financial pressures, including declining visitor numbers and rising operating costs.’
Since their appointment, the joint administrators have overseen continued trading at the site while working with stakeholders to stabilise operations and develop a ‘viable long-term plan’ for Hestercombe.
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As part of their efforts, the announcement was made that the annual Christmas Market, which was cancelled in 2025, will be returning this year.
As part of the next phase, the trustees and joint administrators are taking steps to ‘strengthen Hestercombe’s governance and leadership’, a spokesperson said.
This includes initiating a process to appoint a new chief executive and additional trustee to guide the organisation through Hestercombe’s ‘transition out of administration’.
Hestercombe Gardens Trust continues to operate during the administration process, with a focus on maintaining access to the site while a long-term solution is developed.
Further information about the administration and recruitment process can be provided by contacting the Joint Administrators at hestercombe@mazars.co.uk.
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