Britain's Finest - Events

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.

The day will be full of fun for all ages and packed with a programme of all sorts of activities, entertainment, and games throughout the day.  Watch the exciting Clovelly Cup yacht race across the bay, starting at 12pm. It is an amazing sight to see the yachts surrounding the harbour and setting off to race across the bay.  Throughout the day there will be live music, Higher being Circus street entertainment, activities and games for the whole family. This includes a workshop with Washhouse Studio and Punch & Judy, plus face paintings and a variety of stalls selling food and event-themed arts & crafts.
 

Free entry for under 16s who come in maritime-themed fancy dress costumes!

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.

Join Colchester Zoo as they celebrate their charity, Colchester Zoological Society and the vital conservation work that they undertake in the UK and worldwide.

From meeting members of the Animal Care Team, to learning how to be a ranger on UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve, there will be lots of chances to find out about their work.

They will also be hosting their very own Conservation Festival on 29th May where you'll be able to find out more about conservation efforts around the world and in the UK.

Promising an hilarious line-up of seasoned comedians, our first comedy night will be held on April 18th, guided by the affable MC Jon Wagstaffe, a "simple country lad from Tewkesbury" who will set the stage for an unforgettable night.

Opening the show is none other than Nick Page, a Britain's Got Talent Finalist and English comedian of the year. Nick, a "former disgraced Daytime TV presenter", weaves tales that defy convention, offering a comedic experiencefree of gimmicks, PowerPoint, or props—just pure storytelling mastery that will have you doubled over with belly laughs. To close the night, brace yourself for the unique charm of Ignacio Lopez. With a fusion of Welsh and Spanish influences, Ignacio is a frequent headliner and MC in renowned comedy clubs, and his offbeat humor has gained nearly 40 million views across all social media channels.

Join us for an evening where laughter knows no bounds.

Celebrate Father's Day at Gidleigh Park and join us for an unforgettable experience—an indulgent A la Carte lunch that promises culinary delights amidst the beauty of nature. As an extra touch, every dad will receive a thoughtful gift, making this day a memorable for all.

We will be opening up our doors to give you the chance to explore our beautiful manor house wedding venue.  Join us for a glass of prosecco and meet our experienced wedding coordinators, Françoise Gysemans and her team of wedding experts.

Their hand-picked selection of wedding suppliers will be available to answer all your questions and bring those Pinterest boards to life!

No appointment required.

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!

Seaweed Festival is held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits.  In a multitude of colours, textures, shapes and sizes, it is tasty, full of minerals, fibre without calories and is the best salt substitute. Along the Quay, there is a surprising amount of dishes and the stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products. It is a very informative event, with suitable activities for all to enjoy, including live music and street entertainments throughout the day.  Bring your own seaweed for advice from experts on its uses.

In May the garden is full of colour and wildlife. This is your opportunity to visit as part of the National Garden Scheme. Entry fees and 10% of plant sales are donated to the NGS. Pre-booking is NOT required.

The National Garden Scheme is a registered charity which opens gardens of quality, character and interest to the public. Since 1927 they have raised funds to support nursing and caring charities, and over £25 million in the last 10 years.

Enjoy wandering through the different parts of the garden and gain inspiration for your own garden. Many of the plants you will see are available to buy in our  plant nursery and we can help you choose the right plant for your garden. The tearoom will be open with proceeds going to the local chur

Another opportunity to learn how to make a wire blackbird sculpture under the expert guidance of Chris Moss. At the end of this half-day course you will have your own wire blackbird to take home.

These sculptures will be made from galvanised wire, so they will be able to be kept outside without going rusty. Materials and tools will be supplied. Please wear practical clothes (no delicate textiles).

Dust off your dabber and get ready for ‘eyes down’ during our Comedy Bingo evening on Friday 3rd May, hosted by master comedian Brendan Riley.

Join us in the Grosvenor Suite for a night out including the classic favourite game, but not as you know it! The comedy stylings of Brendan Riley will bring the event to life for a night out with a difference including games and prizes to be won!

Your Comedy Bingo Night ticket includes a delicious 2-course buffet meal (served at 7:30pm), a night of hilarious bingo fun and a disco to follow for dancing the evening away.

Tickets | £36.00 per person

Full pre-payment required upon booking.

Please notify our team of any allergies or dietary requirements prior to your visit.