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  1. About

About

Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust and Christopher’s friend and head gardener, Fergus Garrett, Great Dixter is an historic house, a garden, a centre of education, and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from across the world. An image of tulips in the High Garden at Great Dixter

In 2003 Christopher Lloyd had the foresight to set up the Great Dixter Charitable Trust. When he died in 2006 the Trust took over the running of the estate.

The Trust’s first task was to acquire the 60% share in the property owned by his niece, Olivia Eller. This was achieved in May 2009 with the help of financial support from major grant giving trusts, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Friends of Great Dixter and many private individuals.

The Trust and its staff are dedicated to maintaining the quality and unique atmosphere of Great Dixter, protecting the house and its contents and ensuring that the garden remains open to inspire visitors with its exuberant and dynamic style of gardening. The surrounding estate with its meadows and ancient woodland continues to be managed in the traditional manner to maximise biodiversity and sustainability.

With help from further grants and donations the Trust has been able to restore the fabric of the historic buildings and provide accommodation and training schemes for young gardeners. It has catalogued and carried out conservation work on the historic archives and furnishings in the house and created better facilities for visitors. Find out more about the 2009 conservation and education project here. 

The Great Dixter Charitable Trust is committed to the legacy left to the nation by Christopher Lloyd. Whilst he is much missed, the house and garden flourishes under the Trust’s stewardship, continuing and expanding on his good work as he intended.

Great Dixter relies on the generosity of its Friends and donors. Their ongoing support is essential for the Trust to continue to carry out its work. Find out more here about how you can support us, or become a Friend. Our Friends become part of the extended Dixter family, and receive a number of benefits. 

The house and garden is open to the public from the start of April until the end of October, 11am until 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Published: 13th March, 2020

Updated: 11th March, 2021

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Latest

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  • Opening times

    Opening times

    Great Dixter House & Gardens are now open Tuesday - Sunday and bank holidays. There is no need to prebook tickets online. The Gardens & Shop are open between 11am - 5pm The House is open between 12 noon - 4 pm The Loggia is open between 10.30am - 5pm. However, the Great Dixter Nursery is open daily (Mon-Sun) between 9am - 5pm

  • Tickets

    Tickets

    Pre-booked tickets are no longer required. Please purchase tickets upon arrival from the kiosk. We ask that visitors to the House and Shop continue to wear face coverings and maintain a respectful social distance.

  • Visitor information

    Useful information to consider when visiting Great Dixter House and Gardens

  • The Nursery

    The Nursery

    The Nursery was started by Christopher Lloyd in 1954, specialising in plants he deemed garden-worthy. We remain a small, personal and professional nursery.

  • How to find us

    Details of how to travel to Great Dixter

  • Visit the Nursery

    Visit the Nursery

    Whilst the House & Garden are now closed for the season, our fantastic Nursery is still open. Between November 2021 - April 2022, The Nursery is open: Monday - Friday 9am-12:30 and then reopens 1:30pm - 4:30pm. Saturday - 9am - 12:30 Sunday (closed) There is no entrance charge.

  • Cafe

    Cafe

    The Loggia cafe is now closed for the season but will re-open on the 29th March. The cafe serves a delicious range of home-made lunches, snacks, hot and cold drinks and cakes, all freshly cooked here at Dixter. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available. Please inform staff if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies and they will endeavour to help.

  • Christopher Lloyd

    Christopher Lloyd

    Great Dixter was the home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd (1921-2006), who developed it into a hub of ideas and connections that spread out across the world.

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    Download a map of the garden

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Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 7th November, 2018

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Great Dixter House & Gardens
Northiam
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 6PH

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© Great Dixter House & Gardens 2020 · Ltd. Co. No. 7181964 · Registered Charity No. 1134948

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