Easton Lodge, near Great Dunmow in Essex, is an English Heritage Grade II listed garden. It is open to the general public on various Sundays from April to October and on other days for organised coach trips. We went on a coach trip on a sunny day in August.
The gardens are currently undergoing restoration by a dedicated group of volunteers who have already restored the sunken garden and have started on the walled garden. Most of the remaining grounds are lawns and interesting trees planted by one of the previous owners of the house (closed to visitors). We were given an interesting guided tour which was more about the previous owners of the gardens than the current planting.
Sandwiches, bacon rolls and homemade cakes are available and can be eaten at tables under the trees – lovely on a day such as the one when we visited but not so good if raining. There was also a small interesting collection of photographs etc in the shop which had local products for sale.
We enjoyed ourselves and I would like to go back in a few years after the restoration has progressed. I think that this should be an outing for a fine day as the only shelter is in the shop cum museum.
