Wild at Dixter, with Fergus Garrett and Andy Phillips

The garden at Great Dixter is known for the way in which it merges the natural and the cultivated world. Its long grass, scattered ponds, old walls and changing flower borders provide a rich environment for all manner of fauna and flora. Care and respect for the natural world has been embedded in the way that Great Dixter operates since the Lloyd family bought the property in 1910.  During 2018-2020 surveys and assessments were made by specialists who have looked at the grassland, hedgerows, ancient woodland and all the biodiversity they support, in the entire historic landscape.  Local and national biological recording groups and volunteers also took part and staff received training in ongoing monitoring.

This fly-on-the-wall style recording of a Masterclass held in May 2021 runs through the remarkable findings – that the garden supports the most extraordinary amount of biodiversity – very much against the initial expectations of the experts involved. Here Fergus Garrett talks about the findings and then with entomologist Andy Phillips he and the masterclass group go out into the garden to see what they can find, trawling for insects in the garden's plants and even finding the nests of rare bees in buildings.

Andy Philips is a consultant ecologist, entomologist & arachnologist with over 20 years experience conducting surveys, biodiversity audits and habitat management planning for Natural England, National Trust, wildlife trusts, local authorities and private landowners.

2 hours, 13 minutes

$35 (approx. £26) 30 days rental. Members get 30% discount.