Britain's Finest - Events

This popular summer show includes livestock, cattle and sheep, craft and trade stalls, horse and pony competitions, a dairy marquee with yoghurt/ice cream making, ‘milk a cow’, competitions, a fast and furious inter hunt relay, bustling trade stalls, a bouncy castle and a parade of vintage machinery to finish the day.

We are delighted that renowned garden designer, Tracy Foster, is returning to Stillingfleet Lodge to lead this workshop where you will learn how to create a planting plan for your garden.

If you want to give your garden a makeover, this is the course for you. Learn how to make a planting plan that will turn an ordinary garden into something unique.

During the session you will find out how to:

• measure up your plot
• assess the site and soil
• draw to scale
• develop you plan.

A planting plan is a detailed document or drawing that specifies the arrangement and layout of plants in a particular area, such as a garden, landscape, or outdoor space.

Tracy will be sharing her expertise and tips on plant selection, such as choosing the right plants for your site, and the quantity of plants you will need and how densely they will need to be planted for the effect you want. There will also be consideration of where to place each plant, for instance to provide focal points, and also the seasonality of the plants to give interest throughout the year.

Once you have developed your planting plan, you will be thinking about planting it up and hope that you will be inspired by the many plants we have for sale in our plant nursery.

Tracy is a Chelsea Gold Medal Winning garden designer who has been creating beautiful gardens in the north of England and elsewhere since 2002. She is perhaps best known for ‘The Bronte Garden’ which one her an RHS Gold and the People’s Choice Award at Chelsea in 2012. She was also a awarded an RHS Silver for her ‘Welcome to Yorkshire’ Garden in 2017.

All courses include entry to the garden plus welcome coffee and biscuits. Unless stated,  materials are provided and you will leave each workshop with plenty of reference information.

Join us for a delightful Family Afternoon Tea with kickstart the summer with a burst of excitement.

Join us for a thrilling Circus Workshop hosted by the talented local performer, Rob Horsman, and don't miss the entertaining sheepdog and duck herding demonstration by David Seamark. Participate in the excitement every hour between 12.00pm and 4.00pm. It's a unique blend of circus charm and adorable duck herding that promises a day filled with fun and unforgettable memories.

After the activities, make your way to your reserved table and enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea with your family.

After an absence of several years we are delighted that Fiona Calder will be back in 2024 to exhibit her delightful floral pieces, at our Tearoom in Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens.

Fiona’s artwork celebrates her passion for flowers and foliage, she finds never ending inspiration in their delightful colours and beautiful shapes.

The art exhibitions are located in the tea room and are open to the public during regular garden opening times. Admission to the tea room and art exhibitions are free. The works of art will be available to purchase, please ask at the entrance hut.

This year we are joining forces for a thrilling family fun-filled weekend.  On the Saturday, watch the Clovelly Cup yacht race and 2-mile sponsored sea swim from Bucks Mills to Clovelly.  And on both days, there will be live music, stalls selling delicious food, BBQs and so much entertainment for all, including children’s activities.

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in July. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who will provide you with plenty of tips on the best plants to grow to give you beautiful borders throughout the year. You will also learn how the garden is managed for wildlife and Vanessa will highlight some of the many ways she has blended stunning planting with being a wildlife-friendly garden.

The walk is included in the garden admission for the afternoon, but is on a first-come-first-served basis. There will only be 12 places, so make sure you get on the list when you arrive at the hut!

Start is at 2:00pm prompt and will last about an hour, so plenty of time afterwards for refreshments and a visit to the plant nursery.

Experience the essence of summer with our exquisite afternoon tea, set against a backdrop of sunlit gardens and countryside charm. Indulge in a delightful selection of seasonal finger sandwiches, fresh fruit scones paired with clotted cream and preserves, and a medley of summer-inspired cakes. Join us for a taste of the season's finest amidst the warmth of our charming estate.

Join us in celebrating everything gin on World Gin Day.

Gather around the campfire amidst summer's chilled vibes and indulge in a quintessential British BBQ. Begin your evening with a tantalizing Cotswold Gin cocktail upon arrival, then explore a selection of diverse Gins through tastings. Embrace the warmth of the campfire and the flavourful Gins in this spirited celebration of all things gin.

Join us for an Olympic-inspired afternoon tea and indulge in a gold-medal-worthy assortment of finger sandwiches, accompanied by fresh fruit scones paired with clotted cream and preserves, and a selection of cakes. Celebrate excellence in every bite, making this afternoon tea a podium-worthy experience.

Join Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in June. This will be an informal tour with the garden owner, Vanessa who will provide you with plenty of tips on the best plants to grow to give you beautiful borders throughout the year. You will also learn how the garden is managed for wildlife and Vanessa will highlight some of the many ways she has blended stunning planting with being wildlife-friendly.

The walk is included in the garden admission for the afternoon, but is on a first-come-first-served basis. There will only be 12 places, so make sure you get on the list when you arrive at the hut!

Start is at 2:00pm prompt and will last about an hour, so plenty of time afterwards for refreshments and a visit to the plant nursery.

Discover the art of crafting a stunning floral masterpiece using the freshest spring blooms and natural foliage with local florist Alison from Classic Flowers. Afterward, indulge in a delightful afternoon tea, perfectly paired with a glass of exquisite Bolney English sparkling wine.

Join us for a blooming afternoon of creativity, delectable treats, and sparkling conversations amidst nature's finest offerings.

Our civil ceremony & wedding breakfast rooms will be dressed and will be available to view as well as the luxury Garden Pavilion, outdoor Woodland Pavilion and our beautiful bedrooms & suites!