Great Dixter House & Gardens
Great Dixter House & Gardens
Great Dixter House & Gardens
4
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
14 within 3 miles
Attractions
52 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
682 reviews
Excellent
383
Very good
159
Average
77
Poor
38
Terrible
25
Martin C
Oxford, UK171 contributions
May 2021
We much enjoyed our visit to the garden but, having also booked and paid to visit the house, we were very disappointed by the inflexible approach of the staff when we arrived fifteen minutes late, after being delayed in traffic. The chap at the gate announced with some glee that we were too late; we went to the door anyway and when we opened it, could hear a guide talking just inside: we were quite prepared to just hear the last part of the session, but were again told this was not possible. There was not the hint of a suggestion that we might have our house entry-fee refunded, or be offered another day.
Just a reminder that, however popular and famous, the place still relies on customer goodwill: this is not the way to retain i.
Just a reminder that, however popular and famous, the place still relies on customer goodwill: this is not the way to retain i.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denise l
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK527 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We visited a few years ago and were wowed more in the past particularly with the long border. Yes there is colour and the cannas are splendid, however it's obvious that the ravages of the drought have had a detrimental effect this year. The Exotic Garden was so overgrown you had to fight your way through it and therefore you lost the impact of the more dramatic plants such as the bananas.
We visited the cafe and had tea and cake and unfortunately although the lemon curd Victoria sponge was lovely, it was such a measly thin slice for £3.75 we were disappointed. We used our 2 for 1 Gardener's World voucher so it cost £14.50 for 2 people. If we had paid full price we would have felt a bit ripped off. Such a shame....
We visited the cafe and had tea and cake and unfortunately although the lemon curd Victoria sponge was lovely, it was such a measly thin slice for £3.75 we were disappointed. We used our 2 for 1 Gardener's World voucher so it cost £14.50 for 2 people. If we had paid full price we would have felt a bit ripped off. Such a shame....
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Infinity G
Eugene, OR74 contributions
Sep 2022
The once Great Dixter Garden is suffering from Covid. With lock downs, it appears that no only were there few visitors, but there was little maintenance. Many of the beautiful flagstone paths are overgrown and almost impassable, and the formerly sculpted hedges with intricate pruned shapes and forms have not been attended in some time with weeds growing out of the hedge rows. Christopher Lloyd may be turning in his grave. However, the limited three-room tour of the original home is probably worth the price of admission. The docents are well informed and the story of the mostly 15th century structure are well told. If the gardens are ever returned to their original condition, then this would be a "must see." If you go, do stop for some espresso and scones at the cafe. That will make it worth the trip
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva T
United Kingdom1,181 contributions
Jul 2022
We visited it in July 2022 when the country suffered with heat and we expected it will effect the gardens. Luckily not too much as all gardens were wonderful. We did use voucher from the Gardener's World magazine for 2 people visit garden and pay only for one.
First we visited the house and loved it. It had feeling of normal home and the mix of old and modern furniture were exceptional. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos there. The volunteering stewards told us a lot about the house, family and gardens which were really appreciated.
Then we went into gardens and we immediately realized why it has such incredibly good reputations. All gardens were wonderful, full of flowers, shrubs and trees and we cannot choose just one as the best as all were amazing.
Special part is the nursery where you can buy flowers seen in the garden.
Also toilets were clean.
We would highly recommend visiting this incredible place.
First we visited the house and loved it. It had feeling of normal home and the mix of old and modern furniture were exceptional. Unfortunately it was not allowed to take photos there. The volunteering stewards told us a lot about the house, family and gardens which were really appreciated.
Then we went into gardens and we immediately realized why it has such incredibly good reputations. All gardens were wonderful, full of flowers, shrubs and trees and we cannot choose just one as the best as all were amazing.
Special part is the nursery where you can buy flowers seen in the garden.
Also toilets were clean.
We would highly recommend visiting this incredible place.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Hailsham, UK112 contributions
Sep 2022
There is good and bad
The good. the 15th century house is very good but no photos are aloud and the out buildings are very good . lots of flowers and veg .
The Bad. all the paths are all over grown. the Exotic garden is like a jungle you have to fight your way through. i look at the old photos . the cafe well the food is over price. the food is not that good. i had the cheese scone was claggy . the cafe is not utilising the veg and salad that are grown there. it is a shame it could be a nice money maker. just need a lot of TLC. the shop is over price . the plant's for sale are the same price as a garden center. it is like they have giving up on the maintenance of the garden. i know it is hard times. But some one will hurt them self. most of the garden is not wheelchair friendly. i have been to a lot of garden and this is the bottom 1/10
The good. the 15th century house is very good but no photos are aloud and the out buildings are very good . lots of flowers and veg .
The Bad. all the paths are all over grown. the Exotic garden is like a jungle you have to fight your way through. i look at the old photos . the cafe well the food is over price. the food is not that good. i had the cheese scone was claggy . the cafe is not utilising the veg and salad that are grown there. it is a shame it could be a nice money maker. just need a lot of TLC. the shop is over price . the plant's for sale are the same price as a garden center. it is like they have giving up on the maintenance of the garden. i know it is hard times. But some one will hurt them self. most of the garden is not wheelchair friendly. i have been to a lot of garden and this is the bottom 1/10
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bmoe
uk218 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Our first visit to Great Dixter we absolutely loved it. The flower beds have such depth and variety. The house has three rooms to visit and the wonderful staff have lots of info . The open sided cafe is in the garden and serves simple but tasty food and cake. There is a little shelter above most of the garden seats. A really lovely day out.
Written May 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gardens Visitor
Poole, UK28 contributions
Dec 2020
Our favourite garden and Christmas shop. The whole family loves coming here, and we try to visit at least three times a year, bringing friends and our garden group.
The gardeners don't cut back the herbaceous borders too much, so there is still plenty of life and structure even in winter. Seed heads, berries, foliage and grasses abound.
The team are very friendly and you can tell they love working here and meeting the public too. You are enveloped in the abundance and exuberance of the place, it really does have a magical and welcoming atmosphere.
Every year they have a sort of Christmas fair with different artisans showcasing their works, from candles, to wreaths and baskets. The products are unique, well chosen, handmade and well displayed. You leave feeling uplifted and inspired.
The gardeners don't cut back the herbaceous borders too much, so there is still plenty of life and structure even in winter. Seed heads, berries, foliage and grasses abound.
The team are very friendly and you can tell they love working here and meeting the public too. You are enveloped in the abundance and exuberance of the place, it really does have a magical and welcoming atmosphere.
Every year they have a sort of Christmas fair with different artisans showcasing their works, from candles, to wreaths and baskets. The products are unique, well chosen, handmade and well displayed. You leave feeling uplifted and inspired.
Written December 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myrtlemanap
Vietnam13 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Great Dixter is an idyll but looking at some of the other reviews it’s clear that not everyone gets the informal planting style are carefully managed appearance of semi-neglect. However, this review relates to the cafe, which is no less idyllic with its outdoor wooden structures in a garden surrounded by verdant countryside. The little cafe hut serves snacks and cakes as per usual and even has a proper coffee machine. What a shame the staff seem to struggle to make a decent coffee from it though. Any coffee fanatic will know that if it’s scorching hot, the taste of the coffee is gone and you’ve wasted your money. Different members of staff seem to take different approaches to making the coffee, and frothing the milk, with different levels of success. Here’s an idea - get the cafe team some barista training. With this sorted out what a wonderful cafe it could be!
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire H
145 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We were very much looking forward to our visit on the recommendation of a family member. We booked our tickets online in advance. I am going to caveat my feedback with the following observations. I have no insight how the pandemic has affected the gardens in terms of income and the need to cut staff costs by using the furlough scheme; further I have no insight into the overall philosophy/strategy for the garden but nor does anyone else as I noted from a result of a casual visit to the garden's website.
Looking at other recent reviews others have been as disappointed as us. Overcrowded beds, impassable paths, no information in the garden re where you are, which 'room' you are in. No information boards explaining how the garden is being managed. The impression I get is that the garden wants to provide a haven for wildlife by having lots of wildflowers, uncut lawns (see topiary garden) and probably also a minimum of chemical interventions. All of that is laudable but I cannot help but feel that in the process many visitors are being alienated. I noted with a sigh that of the 52 poor or terrible reviews it does not appear that the Trust have seen fit to respond to any of them. This is an opportunity missed.
Every 'room' seemed to me to be filled with exactly the same plants as the previous one. Nothing was labelled. It didnt seem to matter what the aspect or micro climate was in that space it was filled with the same plants all fighting for space. There was no theming either of planting or colours.
My grandfather (an Edwardian head gardener) had no option other than to garden organically but that did not give him an excuse to allow plants to run riot and for his garden to become unruly. Whilst this time of year can be challenging to present a garden as many plants have gone beyond their best a skilled gardener will know how to succession plant to achieve the best results for the time of year.
The Trust website does not appear to provide any information on the direction the garden is taking nor how it thinks it is currently doing justice to the legacy left to it by Christopher Lloyd. It may well be that what we see is what he wanted but how would any of us know because there is no information.
Please, please, please engage with your visitors. Read these reviews and learn from them. Provide feedback and educate but dont just ignore us.
As things stand I wont be revisiting when I am next in Kent and for those of you who have read this far and are ever in Yorkshire I would highly recommend a visit to York Gate Garden on the outskirts of Leeds for a stunning example of what a well planned garden can look like with plenty of imagination and weaving together of old and new.
Looking at other recent reviews others have been as disappointed as us. Overcrowded beds, impassable paths, no information in the garden re where you are, which 'room' you are in. No information boards explaining how the garden is being managed. The impression I get is that the garden wants to provide a haven for wildlife by having lots of wildflowers, uncut lawns (see topiary garden) and probably also a minimum of chemical interventions. All of that is laudable but I cannot help but feel that in the process many visitors are being alienated. I noted with a sigh that of the 52 poor or terrible reviews it does not appear that the Trust have seen fit to respond to any of them. This is an opportunity missed.
Every 'room' seemed to me to be filled with exactly the same plants as the previous one. Nothing was labelled. It didnt seem to matter what the aspect or micro climate was in that space it was filled with the same plants all fighting for space. There was no theming either of planting or colours.
My grandfather (an Edwardian head gardener) had no option other than to garden organically but that did not give him an excuse to allow plants to run riot and for his garden to become unruly. Whilst this time of year can be challenging to present a garden as many plants have gone beyond their best a skilled gardener will know how to succession plant to achieve the best results for the time of year.
The Trust website does not appear to provide any information on the direction the garden is taking nor how it thinks it is currently doing justice to the legacy left to it by Christopher Lloyd. It may well be that what we see is what he wanted but how would any of us know because there is no information.
Please, please, please engage with your visitors. Read these reviews and learn from them. Provide feedback and educate but dont just ignore us.
As things stand I wont be revisiting when I am next in Kent and for those of you who have read this far and are ever in Yorkshire I would highly recommend a visit to York Gate Garden on the outskirts of Leeds for a stunning example of what a well planned garden can look like with plenty of imagination and weaving together of old and new.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane462016
Littlehampton, UK7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We visited Great Dixter many years ago when Christopher Lloyd was alive and it was magnificent. Amazing borders full of colour and a beautiful sunken garden.
It left a huge impression and some years after his death we decided to return.
Terrible - overgrown and felt neglected - completely changed and for the worse.
Huge shame. On a recent visit to kent we decided to go again as surely this time it would be restored into the garden we first loved. Oh NO - it looks sad and full of weeds and dead plants . The sunken garden did at least have some colour and looked cared for.
Very expensive and feel conned. Never again. Don't waste your money.
It left a huge impression and some years after his death we decided to return.
Terrible - overgrown and felt neglected - completely changed and for the worse.
Huge shame. On a recent visit to kent we decided to go again as surely this time it would be restored into the garden we first loved. Oh NO - it looks sad and full of weeds and dead plants . The sunken garden did at least have some colour and looked cared for.
Very expensive and feel conned. Never again. Don't waste your money.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emilia M
Vallakra, Sweden
Is there somewhere to store luggage while visiting? Like a small cabin bag
Christopher G
Oxted, UK512 contributions
I don’t think so. But if you contact them they may be able to help.
What are opening times in December?
TennaRotor
Birmingham, MI501 contributions
The gardens are closed until April 2020. The shop and nursery are open Monday thru Friday, Saturday morning and closed on Sunday. Check the website for more details.
jogon c
Yorkshire, UK138 contributions
This is a long way to travel from Leeds. Accepting that TV coverage extracts the best bit, I wonder whether this is worth the 500+ mole round trip unless in the area for a short break?
Stephen R
Beverley, UK277 contributions
It is a special place but it isn't the only place worth visiting in Sussex. When I return to this area I will certainly stay somewhere locally and make the visit worthwhile. Do heed the comments made by others - it can be very busy so choose your time to visit with care.
joenelson2015
Townsville, Australia36 contributions
Is there accommodation nearby
sussexrowmark
Rye, UK500 contributions
Yes, Rye is a little distance away but would be an exceptionally pretty and historic choice. I have not stayed there but the food and ambience at The Bear Hotel are excellent.
FiJohn
Dawlish, UK33 contributions
How big are the gardens and how long would I need to spend there being a garden lover?
Jennifer R
Brighouse, UK67 contributions
Iwould allow at least 3 hours to appreciate everything
Deborah D
Lowestoft1 contribution
Are well-behaved dogs allowed?
BubblyJubbly
Cuffley, UK112 contributions
We went with friends who live fairly near Rye and have a dog. They left her at home and we didn't see any dogs while we were there...so I think it's very unlikely.
Great Dixter House & Gardens (Northiam) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Great Dixter House & Gardens
- Great Dixter House & Gardens is open:
- Tue - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Great Dixter House & Gardens:
- (2.78 mi) Swallowtail Hill
- (0.57 mi) Chestnut Lodge Bed & Breakfast
- (6.86 mi) Saltcote Place Rye
- (6.71 mi) Rye Windmill B&B
- (7.01 mi) Aviemore Guest House
- Restaurants near Great Dixter House & Gardens:
- (1.56 mi) Lime Wharf Cafe
- (1.51 mi) The White Dog Inn
- (1.25 mi) Sahebs Indian Restaurant
- (2.27 mi) The Castle Inn
- (0.77 mi) Will's Bakery & Café
- Attractions near Great Dixter House & Gardens:
- (2.43 mi) Epic Life
- (2.14 mi) Bodiam Castle
- (5.53 mi) Chapel Down
- (6.27 mi) Kilimanjaro Experts
- (6.03 mi) Golf School UK
Great Dixter House & Gardens Information
Excellent Reviews | 380 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 157 |
Great Dixter House & Gardens Photos | 443 |