Britain's Finest - Events

Visitors can enjoy the beautiful late spring-themed bonsai displays as well as the tiny accent pots that are an essential part of any bonsai show. Featuring a range of bonsai in spring bloom, there will also be advice, talks and demonstrations on bonsai care for new and experienced enthusiasts, including pruning, wiring and creating your own accent pot. Plants and bonsai equipment will be on sale as well as the wonderful handmade pots. Included in normal garden admission.

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 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.

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.

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.

Held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits.  Quay kitchens will be serving a variety of dishes, and stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products and arts and crafts.  Plus live music, craft activities and workshops, talks and demonstrations and street entertainments.  Bring your own seaweed for advice from experts on its uses.

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.

In honour of UN World Ocean Day and in partnership with Relais & Châteaux, Buckland Manor invites you to experience a thoughtfully curated four-course tasting menu that showcases sustainability.

The initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the invaluable gifts our oceans provide and the critical need for sustainable practices in utilising marine resources. Join us for a memorable lunch experience and delight your palate while discovering the significance of responsible fishing techniques and their impact on ocean conservation.

 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.

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.

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!

Join us as we celebrate Father's Day, a time to honour and appreciate all dads. Indulge in a scrumptious four-course meal, each dish crafted to delight the taste buds.

As a token of our gratitude, every father will take home a special gift, marking this day as a cherished memory.