Route: Great Dixter
Area: East Sussex
Date of walk: 12th June 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 1.5 miles
Ascent: negligible
Weather: Sunny at first, gradually clouding over
Earlier this morning we completed a circular walk from Northiam which passed by Great Dixter. At the end of that walk we drove back to Great Dixter to visit the world famous garden, a place which has been on our wish list for many years
Great Dixter was the family home of the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd who devoted his life to developing the garden, which is Grade I listed. The garden is managed by the Great Dixter Charitable Trust which was set up in 2003 by Christopher Lloyd before his death in 2006. The Great Dixter estate is home to more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna thanks to the thoughtful way in which it has been developed
On leaving the car park we walked past the Great Barn, which is over 500 years old and nearly as old as the house. The barn has had various uses over the centuries and is now used for green woodworking. We proceeded to the entrance and entered at 11am, which was opening time today. The garden is divided into various compartments, including the Long Border, the Sunk Garden, the Orchard Garden and the Meadow. All of these were stunning sights, though we especially enjoyed the meadow areas, home to thousands of Common Spotted Orchid. We spoke to one of the gardeners and he informed us that the orchids weren’t planted here, they simply sprung up once a meadow management scheme had been set up
The borders were bursting with colour and enhanced by the views of the beautiful Grade I house, worth a visit in its own right, which was built in the 15th century
We didn’t follow any particular route, and it would be pointless to suggest one. A free map of the garden is available at the entrance and it’s best to make your way around this magical place wherever your curiosity leads you. Our visit to Great Dixter exceeded our expectations. It’s a truly wonderful place and deserves its reputation as one of the great gardens of England
Click on the icon below icon for a map showing the location of Great Dixter and click here for a garden map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
We visit Great Dixter Nurseries before entering the garden
We then pass by the Great Barn and Oast House
Entrance to the garden
We walk through the Front Meadow
Common spotten orchid and yellow rattle
The Sunk Garden, with the house beyond and the Great Barn on the right
The Oast House
The Grade I listed house at Great Dixter was built in the 15th century and extended by Sir Edwin Lutyens
Cornflowers in the borders
The Topiary Lawn which, in common with the other grassed areas here, is a wildflower meadow...
The Long Border
The Meadow
Great Dixter House and the Long Border from The Meadow
Common spotted orchid in The Meadow
Views of the house framed by the borders...
The Oast House
Front of the house
The famous entrance porch, dating back to the 15th century...
A few photos of the borders...
The poppies were putting on a wonderful display
We arrive back in The Meadow...
Common spotted orchid, which grows like a weed in the meadows here
Rambling rose
Back in the Topiary Lawn...
A last look back to the house as we leave the wonderful garden
