April open days for Easter fun at Gardens of Easton Lodge in Little Easton near Great Dunmow

April is a lovely month at the Gardens of Easton Lodge and the gates open to visitors every Thursday from April 3 and on Sunday April 13 for Easter fun, writes trustee Jill Goldsmith.

There are many varieties of daffodils still - in the Lime Wood, the Glade and elsewhere - and blossom season is in full swing at the gardens in Little Easton, near Great Dunmow.

The cherry, apple and pear trees in the walled kitchen garden are looking a picture, set against the lime green new growth on the box hedges.

The Italian garden has spring colour from tulips and roses while the fresh leaves on the trees around the gardens range in colour from vibrant green to amber orange and deep purple.

On Thursdays, the gardens open at 11am and close at 3pm. Children enjoy finding the treehouse and elephant statue and there are garden games too.

Daisy’s refreshment kiosk will be open, serving hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes. Visitors are welcome to bring picnics and dogs on leads.

On Sunday April 13 there will be fun Easter activities for children, including an egg trail and crafts. It is also the trust’s Blossom Day, when we invite visitors to take a close look at the blossom and the pollinators at work.

As well as live music from local duo Karen and Tony, we have expanded our range of stalls this year with a new plant stall, a home accessories stall with an Easter theme and other local craft and produce stalls.

The gardens open at 11am and close at 5pm. The trust’s volunteers will be providing hot and cold drinks and bacon, cheese and hummus rolls and a lovely selection of homemade cakes. Tickets will be available in advance at www.eastonlodge.co.uk and www.trybooking.com.

The trust’s volunteers have been working hard to ready new features, finish closed-season plantings and clearance and install new information boards.

The archive room provides a wealth of information and pictures for visitors who want to learn the stories of the gardens, the Countess of Warwick, Harold Peto, who redesigned the Gardens for her in 1902, the gardeners and the airmen and women who cherished the gardens for repose in the Second World War. It means regular visitors will have new things to spot as well as enjoying seasonal favourites.