Britain's Finest - Events

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 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

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!

2024 Afternoon Tea

Back by POPULAR demand.

Bigger & Better

We proudly invite you to sample our professionally catered Afternoon Tea service - every Friday & Sunday. 2 sittings. 12:00 (without alcohol until further notice) & 15:00 (with option of prosecco or order from our extensive wine list)

PRE-BOOKING via ResDiary essential 

Phone THE VIEWMOUNT if you have questions.

The Gidleigh Park Estate Team takes immense pride in their Kitchen Garden, while Executive Chef, Chris Eden, champions the use of all its produce.

Your day commences at 10.00am with a welcome coffee before embarking on a guided tour of the Kitchen Garden. Following this, savour a glass of wine and indulge in a delightful vegetarian three-course lunch crafted from the garden's fresh vegetables and herbs. Finally, conclude with coffee and petits fours to round off the experience.

Celebrate Father's Day on our sun-drenched terrace with a delectable two-course lunch. Enjoy a curated menu while honouring the father figures in your life. Gather with loved ones to toast and create cherished memories in a beautiful setting.

Say yes to your dream wedding venue!

Celebrate in style in our award-winning Castle Barn, with a blank canvas of soft red brick walls filled with arrow slits, enables you to personalise your wedding and decorate the barn in your unique style. It is truly the ultimate space in which to celebrate wedding receptions in style. A floating stretch tent over the terrace ensures ‘al fresco’ evening food all year round. The outdoor kitchen creates great theatre for all diners as the chefs cook over the fire pit and with the wood-fired oven.

There’s an enchanting choice of three stunning ceremony spaces; the picturesque parish Church of St. Nicholas, the idyllic Victorian Summerhouse embellished with an intricate hand-painted mural, perfect for outdoor weddings and the contemporary Garden Room with its walls of glass bi-fold doors allowing the outdoors in.

Situated at the venue are 26 stylish bedrooms sleeping up to 64 people. Every bedroom boasts a bespoke design and absolute luxury within an elegant historical setting. A selection of our rooms will be available for you to peruse during your visit, including the unique Grade II listed Granary sat proudly on its staddle stones, a fairy tale Dovecote, the Smithy and a Honeymoon Suite, with the biggest bed in Berkshire.

Meet the team, get inspiration and bring the wedding of your dreams to life!

Celebrate Father's Day with a special treat. Join us for a delightful experience exploring our local casked beers and craft ales paired perfectly with mini pies.

Enjoy a beer flight featuring a range of flavours alongside a taster board of delicious mini pies, each paired to enhance your tasting experience. Treat Dad to a memorable day filled with exceptional brews, delectable bites, and the joy of savouring these delightful pairings together.

Join us for an evening of intrigue at our Murder Mystery Event on Friday 21st June 2024 (7pm).

Play detective for the night and figure out “Whodunnit?” during an evening of twists, turns and intrigue at our ever-popular Murder Mystery event!

Arrive from 7pm to begin an evening of mystery and enigma set in the crime underworld of notorious Birmingham street gang, the Peaky Blinders. Pay close attention those around you and follow the clues to solve the murder mystery whilst enjoying twists, turns and laughs along the way.

Your evening will also include a delicious three-course meal.

 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.

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 Vanessa for a garden walk when she will show you the highlights of the garden in May. 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.