Learning Children, schools and families Families 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: [email protected] Garden Explorers Garden Explorers is an adventurous group for toddlers and carers which takes place each Thursday and Friday morning at Great Dixter between 9:30 and 11:30 (10-12 during the school holidays), based from 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. There is usually a story and a walk, and always a drink and a snack (which we usually make during the session) with an all essential (proper) coffee for the adults. 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 willing to push or carry. 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 9pm 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 prior to 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. Follow us on Facebook Sign up to receive our weekly Garden Explorer email updates Join our mailing list here for updates about school holiday activities at Great Dixter. The plan for 14/15 March Hello everyone, Looking forward to seeing some of you this week. The weather looks like it is going to be a story of 2 halves - Thursday morning looks SUNNY! Friday a bit less clement,SO on Thursday we will plan to go to the woods. We will make some flatbreads to have with wild garlic butter - ingredients, yogurt, flour, butter- please bring subs if you have allergies etc. We'll have a fire and some free flow fun - we can make some houses for little people - and maybe some little people to go in them. For those of you who haven't been to the woods- it's quite a long walk for little legs- the idea is to take your time and enjoy the journey- it's very beautiful down there and all the wood anemones will be coming out! Slings are better for babies - it's still very boggy so buggies are tricky - can be taken part- way but best abandoned en route - with that in mind wellies and rough clothing recommended!!Friday we will stick with the garden - we will make some rhubarb and orange cake- ingredients, butter sugar eggs flour orange and rhubarb (freshly picked from the allotment as the Dixter rhubarb is much later). - again please bring subs for allergies. We'll do some more gardening, sow some more seeds and have a story and some songs as usual. Meet at Dixter Farm at the Education room at 9:30 You can book as ever from 9pm the night before the session. The link to book is here- https://buytickets.at/greatdixterhouseandgardens £7.50 for the first child, siblings half price. Please do keep to the paths in the garden as all the spring bulbs are all coming now and please no sticks digging around in the ponds in the garden as the newts are spawning and we don't want to disturb them! ThanksCatherine 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