Families
Great Dixter is a magical place for families to visit. The garden has lots of high hedges, wild plants, bright colours, and insects to inspire young imaginations.
You can download our garden map here and check out our health and safety information so that you are aware of things to watch out for when you come.
If you want to know more about family activities at Great Dixter please contact Catherine at [email protected]
Garden Explorers
Garden Explorers is an adventurous group for toddlers and carers that takes place each Thursday and Friday morning at Great Dixter between 9:30 and 11:30 (10-12 during the school holidays), based on our education centre at Dixter Farm. Sessions are based around seasonal activity in the garden and on the estate, from seed planting and cooking using vegetables we have harvested from the garden to minibeast hunts, having fires in the woods, and making musical instruments. Sessions are run by Education Manager Catherine with special guest appearances from time to time.
Garden Explorers is suitable for walking toddlers (though little legs with less stamina may find the woods trips a bit of a long journey so carers may need to do some carrying). Younger siblings are welcome so long as buggies are robust enough to make it down to the woods and carers are willing to push or carry them. We go out in all weathers and quite often end up messy so suitable clothing is essential!
Booking in advance is essential and can be done from 9 pm the evening before the session. Each session costs £7.50 per child. Siblings are half-price. Accompanying adults and babies are free.
Please note that parents or carers are responsible for direct supervision of children.
To book a place join our mailing list here where ticket info is emailed before the sessions. For more info email [email protected]
All activities are risk assessed. Please ensure that you provide the education officer Catherine Haydock with any specific needs for your child.
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Plan for 20th and 21st February
Hello everyone
Half term this week and I’m a bit last minute as ever and I’m afraid a bit limited on days.
The weather on Thursday looks iffy- and this is the day I have set aside for the preschoolers.(siblings welcome)- with this in mind we’ll stick with the garden
The plan is to make some lemon drizzle cake- ingredients: SR flour, butter, eggs, sugar lemons (please bring subs if you have allergies etc)
We’ll do some cooking, then head to the lovely gardens for a walk followed by the usual free flow fun.
Friday will be for school aged children – again siblings welcome – and we’ll head for the woods. The plan will be to make some Welshcakes- ingredients, currants, SR flour, mixed spice, sugar, butter, egg- please bring subs if you have allergies. Then we’ll head for the woods for a morning of free flow fun. We’ll have a fire, and I’ll bring some crafty bits for anyone who is interested.
As it’s the hols, we’ll meet at Dixter Farm at 10am. You can book as ever from 9pm the night before the session. The link to book is here-
https://buytickets.at/greatdixterhouseandgardens
Hope to see some of you then!
Catherine
Information for new Garden Explorers:
There are baby changing facilities in the education room and the White Barn, next to the ticket office. There is lots of room for buggies inside the education room but when in the garden, we leave them by the ticket office and stick to the paths at all times.
Please be aware that Great Dixter is responsible for ensuring that all sites and activities are risk assessed and fit for purpose and you are responsible for direct supervision of your children while attending this group. Please read the health and safety information on our website before attending a session.
Now the bulbs are growing it’s important to keep to the paths in the garden and off the grass as otherwise we’ll squash all the crocuses and daffodils that are emerging.