Britain's Finest - Events

Gather your family for an unforgettable Father’s Day celebration and treat your taste buds to a culinary adventure with our exquisite Sunday Lunch menu, specially curated for the occasion.

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.

Join us for a blooming afternoon of creativity, delectable treats, and sparkling conversations amidst nature's finest offerings. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and discover the art of crafting a beautiful floral arrangement using the freshest spring blooms with local florist the Flower Shop. Following the workshop, indulge in a delightful afternoon tea.

“Join us for an enchanting celebration of wedding bliss, with our Wedding Showcase, offering Canapes and Fizz upon your arrival, carefully selected suppliers, live DJ and much more!

A perfect opportunity to plan your special day, discuss ideas with our award winning experts and see our Beautiful Function suites fully dressed”

Embark on an experience of precision and flavour with laser clay shooting and longbow archery. Enjoy a thrilling session of high-tech clay shooting and traditional longbow archery, followed by a delectable five-course dinner. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with exquisite whiskies and gins, creating the perfect harmony of skill and taste. Join us for a unique blend of excitement and fine dining.

The Gentlemen's evening experience includes:

• Laser clay shooting
• Longbow archery
• Five-course dinner
• Whisky and gin pairings

Terms & Conditions

Ticket is valid at The Slaughters Manor House for the listed event only. On the day of the event please bring your ticket or email with you and present to staff on arrival. Tickets can be cancelled up to 7 days before the event, after which they are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Valid until 9 May 2024

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

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!

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.

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.  Enjoy live music, street entertainments, event-themed arts & crafts, mermaid storytelling, Punch & Judy, face painting and stalls selling delicious food.  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.

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 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.