Great Dixter

A passing glance at this inspiring, romantic country house might give the impression that this has been a grand, rambling manor since medieval times, but all is not quite how it appears to be. Formerly known as just 'Dixter', the greatness alluded to in its present title is more than a clue to the amazing transformation that the original 15th century hall house underwent in the early years of the last century. Almost from the time the first house was completed in the 1450s, it saw a succession of different owners and tenants, and probably experienced many periods of vacancy and neglect.

In 1910 Nathaniel Lloyd purchased Dixter, the outbuildings and the land for £6,000. Born in Manchester, Lloyd achieved success and wealth through his colour printing company, and by 1909 he was able to exchange his business life for more leisurely pursuits. Already living in the area, enjoying the golf facilities and the country shoots, it seemed the natural step for him and his wife to buy their own place in this beautiful part of the country. Something of an antiquarian himself, Lloyd had specific ideas of how he wished to enlarge and modernise the living accommodation at Dixter, but did not want to lose sight of its origins. Knowing the reputation that Edwin Lutyens had acquired for his sympathetic restoration work, Lloyd was convinced that working together with him would produce something very special, but traditional.

The deciding factor in the form that the 'new house' would take was the purchase of a derelict 16th century timber house in nearby Benenden, which was systematically dismantled, transported to Northiam, and re-erected as an integral part of Dixter house. Using local materials and traditional building methods, the two old farmhouse style buildings were ingeniously joined together with a third section providing extra accommodation. Lutyen's work was so brilliantly authentic that the finished house, Great Dixter, looks as though it has been standing untouched since the early 16th century. Enthused and enlightened by this building experience, Nathaniel Lloyd became a self-taught architect, and many buildings in the locality are the result of his designs.

An internal tour of Great Dixter takes in the impressive 15th century great hall, one of the largest surviving timber-framed halls in the country, the cosy low-ceilinged parlour, and the spacious first floor solar. Other rooms are shown to the public when Christopher Lloyd is not using them. There is a surprising and refreshing mix of decorative styles, illustrating that both old and modern can live comfortably together without creating a gaudy mish mash.

Completing the whole picture was an important aspect of Lutyen's designs, and once the residential part of the scheme had taken shape he concentrated on the layout of the gardens, cleverly incorporating the original outbuildings to knit all the elements together. Now well established, these fabulous gardens are a delight throughout the seasons and remain a constant source of pleasure through the continuing work of Christopher Lloyd, the celebrated gardening writer.