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  1. About
  2. Garden
  3. Design and structure

Design and structure

The design and structure of the garden at Great Dixter in Christopher Lloyd’s words.

The Peacock Garden at Great Dixter shown from above by Claire Takacs

Most of the garden design was by Lutyens; it always seems fluid, never stodgy. Thus, yew hedges are sometimes curved, making a change from straight lines. He often used tiles in a decorative (though functional) manner. Thus, a chicken house with rotten walls, was turned into an open sided loggia, supported by laminated tile pillars. In so far as possible, Lutyens incorporated farm buildings into his design, turning them to other uses. Four brick cattle drinking tanks were retained; we have now filled these in and planted them.

The paving is of York sandstone. This had comprised London’s pavements, but when ripped up to be replaced by tarmac, the stone became available for garden use. Lichens grow on it, making their own patterns, particularly noticeable at their ‘flowering’, in April. But the stone is slippery when wet.

Published: 13th March, 2020

Updated: 11th March, 2021

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Latest

  • Business Declares

    Business Declares

    Great Dixter is proud to be a member of Business Declares and joining the fast growing network of organisations who acknowledge the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

  • Pottery Demonstation

    Pottery Demonstation

    Come along and watch Alex O’Reilly throwing pots on a kick wheel. 27-28th August 2022, 11am-4pm in the Great Barn. Free to attend.

  • Basket weaving demonstration

    Basket weaving demonstration

    Sussex Basketmaker Christiane Gunzi will be demonstrating willow basket weaving in The Great Barn. Visitors are very welcome. 24-25th September 2022, 11am-4pm. This is a free event

  • Hop picking at Great Dixter

    Hop picking at Great Dixter

    Melvin Smith will be on hand in the Great Barn talking about Hop Picking and showing some of the tools that were used in the process. 3rd-4th September, 11:45 and 2:30. This is a free event

Related

  • Management

    Management

    Head Gardener Fergus Garrett on how the garden at Great Dixter is managed

  • Planting

    Planting

    Planting in the garden at Great Dixter in Christopher Lloyd’s words.

  • Garden map

    Download a map of the garden

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  • Opening times

    Opening times

    We are open Tuesday - Sunday between 11am - 5pm. We are closed on Mondays but open on bank holidays. There is no need to prebook tickets online. The Nursery is open every day from 9am - 5pm. Dogs are not permitted in the gardens or house except for Guide or Assistance Dogs. Please see our accessibility statement for access within the house and gardens.

  • 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 cafe serves a delicious range of home-made lunches and refreshements. 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.

  • Garden map

    Download a map of the garden

  • 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.

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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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