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.

In this section:

Families

School Visits

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.

Join our mailing list here for updates about school holiday activities at Great Dixter.

Plan for 24th October 2024 and half term

Hello all,

I’m really sorry but there will be no session tomorrow (thursday 23rd) as my son George is poorly and I need to stay at home and look after him.

Friday will run as usual. The weather looks a bit dingy so I think we’ll stick with the garden. The plan is to make some pumpkin cakes (ingredients, pumpkin, raisins, oil, brown sugar, orange, egg, mixed spice and a butter and cream cheese icing as a topping- please bring subs if you have allergies). Then we’ll head for a walk around the garden- collect some leaves for some collage-ey printing and head back for coffee cake and the usual story and free flow toddler fun.

You can book as ever from 9pm the night before the session. The link to book is here-

https://buytickets.at/greatdixterhouseandgardens

A reminder that the garden is open so please park sensibly and budge up where you can. Please no digging around in the garden ponds as this disturbs the animal life or climbing trees in the gardens as they are old and fragile- thank you!

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.

Half term-

Next week is half term but unfortunately I have a course going on in the room Monday-Weds so I won’t be able to do lots of extra sessions-

However, if the weather continues to look good I’ll plan to run a straight to the woods session for KS2 and above (plus siblings) on Wednesday as well a session for Preschoolers (5 and under) plus siblings on Thursday and Key stage 1 plus siblings on Friday… details to follow.

See you then and sorry about tomorrow!

Catherine x