Britain's Finest - Events

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.

Join us for an afternoon of beauty and pure pampering with our NARS Masterclass.

On Sunday 5 May 2024 we are delighted to be hosting our 'NARS Masterclass' in association with John Lewis.

From 1pm you can indulge in a Sparkling Afternoon Tea followed by tutorials and demonstrations from the NARS team at John Lewis, to help you create your Spring Summer look!

Timings: 
1pm | Fizz on arrival
1:30-3pm | NARS Masterclass
3-4pm | Afternoon Tea is served

All guests will be given a luxurious complimentary gift AND a free gift with purchase on the day when you spend £100.

The perfect opportunity for a girly gathering!

Price: £49.00 per person
Date: 5 May 2024

Meander through a carpet of bluebells in the ancient woodland at Gidleigh Park with our Estate Manager, Andrew Brimblecombe and Plantsman, Paul Grigg as your guides. With over 40 years of experience between them, they share their wealth of knowledge on the woodland, flora, and fauna along with a few handy gardening tips. The 107-acre estate is nestled in a valley within the natural beauty of Dartmoor and offers an abundance of different habitats.

Arrive from 10.00am for morning coffee before heading out at 10.30am for your walk. Return to a delicious three-course lunch with a glass of wine.

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.

For our July art exhibition we are delighted that Linda Taylor’s is returning to exhibit her beautiful paintings of birds on feathers, here in the tearoom at Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens. Her exquisite work is always popular with our visitors.

Linda’s inspiration comes from nature and walking in landscapes world wide. She has been experimenting with painting on real feathers, having seen the indigenous South American people painting on dream catchers. Her feather paintings capture the imagination, linking the art to the spirit of the birds.

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.

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.

Stillingfleet Lodge's annual wildlife day will be on the 30th June 2024, part of National Insect Week. Local wildlife charities join us to make this a day packed  with activities and information about the wildlife across Yorkshire. Activities include pond-dipping, bird-ringing and owl- pellet dissection plus a chance to meet bats and reptiles - there is always something for the whole family.

Join garden owner, Vanessa Cook, in the tearoom and courtyard garden where you can enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles and learn about the development and ethos of the garden. This will be followed by an opportunity for you to have a leisurely wander around the garden, enjoying the many different areas of the garden.

This is the chance to have a relaxed summer evening in this beautiful, peaceful garden.

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!

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.

Did you know... the Aldabra Giant Tortoise can live up to 150 years!

Join Colchester Zoo as thy share all things smooth and scaly with a range of reptile inspired activities. From the humid habitat of the Komodo Dragons to the brightly coloured Emerald Tree Monitor Lizard, find out more about these incredbile animals and how the Zoo cares for them.

 Visitors will be able to view and purchase contemporary craft and art whilst enjoying the beautiful spring garden with its huge plant collection. Once again, alongside the marquees displaying and selling the work of some of the UK’s finest designer makers, the event will incorporate demonstrating artists, a food village and live music! Pre-book your tickets on line at no extra cost to normal garden entry.