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  1. About
  2. History

The Lloyd Family

Nathaniel and Daisy Lloyd brought up six children at Great Dixter where they all developed a lasting attachment to the house and a deep knowledge of the garden. One of the bathrooms still has the pencil marks on a wall recording their increasing height year by year. Selwyn (1909-35), the eldest child, went into the family business but died at a young age from TB; Oliver (1911-85), whose second Christian name Cromwell spoke of Daisy’s ancestral connections, became a medical doctor and academic; Patrick (1913-56) was a professional soldier and died on active service in the Middle East; Quentin (1916-95) served as the estate manager for Great Dixter for many years; Letitia (1919-74) trained as a nurse; Christopher (1921-2006), the youngest child, was born in the north bedroom of the Lutyens wing and for the rest of his life Dixter was his home.

The Lloyd children photographed in height order at Great Dixter

Daisy Lloyd and Christopher Lloyd in the meadow at Great DixterWith the renovations and extension complete by 1912, Great Dixter was a large and comfortable family home. Central heating and electric lighting were installed from the outset and there was a domestic staff of five or more, including a chauffeur, a cook, two housemaids and a nursery maid. Outside staff included nine gardeners. For four years during the First World War, part of the house became a hospital and a total of 380 wounded soldiers passed through the temporary wards created in the great hall and the solar. In the Second War, Dixter housed 10 evacuee boys from September 1939 until it was decided that they should go further west and away from the path of enemy aircraft.

After Nathaniel’s death in 1933, the formidable Daisy was in control until her own demise in 1972. Her contribution to the garden was most evident in the wild flower meadows but her passion for all things plant related was as extensive as it was infectious.Daisy Lloyd wearing Austrian peasant costume on the steps of the Yeomans hall

She was a determinedly energetic lady, an accomplished cook and brilliant embroiderer, who, having taken to wearing Austrian peasant costume, cut an eccentric figure on the local scene. 

The Lloyd children dipping their toes in the sunk garden pond at Great Dixter

Published: 20th November, 2020

Updated: 22nd January, 2021

Author: Catherine Haydock

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  • Business Declares

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    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

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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.

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    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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