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 out 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 usually run by Education Officer 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). Older siblings are welcome during the holidays, and younger so long as buggies are robust enough to make it down to the woods and carers willing to push or carry. There are quite a lot of steps around the garden so we usually abandon buggies somewhere and collect them later. We go out in all weathers and quite often end up messy so suitable clothing is essential!

Like many of our activities Garden Explorers took an enforced break in 2020 owing to Coronavirus restrictions (although we had some fun sessions online from Catherine's house with the help of gardener Dean filming stories from the garden). We hope to be back up and running again soon. Updates will be posted via the mailing list and advanced bookings and limited numbers will be brought in to ensure we operate in a Covid-secure way. 

 

Each session costs £5.00 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 email: [email protected] or tel: 01797 334042.

Join our mailing list here for weekly updates about Garden Explorers

School Holidays

We usually run some extra activities for school aged children during the holidays.

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

All activities are risk assessed. Please ensure that you provide the education officer Catherine Haydock with any specific needs of your child. Please follow this link for additional health and safety information.

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