Britain's Finest - Events

This is a more advance vegetable gardening course, led by orgainic expert, Tony Chalcraft. It is perfect tfor those wanting to improve and extend their crops. On this session you will learn about the main vegetable crops plus a few unusual ones, focussing on how to maximise the harvest and avoid problems.

The course is especially suitable for those who’ve grown vegetables for some years and have a grasp of the basics but want to get to grow more and better crops.

Parham will host a small number of stalls from local producers as part of the county-wide celebration of all things 'Sussex'.

A three-day relaxed weekend VW Festival. With all the elements of the shows we all know and love! Quarter mile track action features Doorslammer Drag Racing, alongside Show & Shine, Traders, Fun Fair and Bar meaning you can enjoy the later evenings camping with friends!

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).

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

Wander through the enchanting seasonal gardens of Buckland Manor with an exclusive tour led by our knowledgeable resident gardener, followed by a three-course lunch.

Begin your day with a warm welcome at the manor, where you'll indulge in delightful tea, freshly brewed coffee, and delicious biscuits, followed by a leisurely stroll through the gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a sumptuous lunch crafted from the finest homegrown produce complemented by a glass of wine, and to finish, coffee paired with delightful petit fours, leaving all your senses utterly satisfied.

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.

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.

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.

Round 1 of the FIA/FIM European Championships is one of Santa Pod's most prestigious Drag Race meetings. This hugely popular extravaganza features over 200 teams and 17 classes of cars and bikes including the sports F1 class – 11,000bhp Top Fuel Dragsters accelerating 0-100mph in less than 1 second, making this event unrivalled for both the quality and quantity of racing.

As well as the Drag Racing there's fun for all the family with a full line up of entertainment suitable for kids and adults alike, this is the ultimate family day out! Camping available onsite so come for the weekend.

New for 2024 - The Main Event will host a Live Music Stage with Bands playing after racing on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings! Day Tickets will be valid until midnight!

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.

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.