Hundreds of families enjoyed the open day at the Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge in Little Easton on Sunday, April 23 with a St George’s Day theme.

Dunmow Broadcast: Amelia and Jonathan Hardington playing on a tree stump. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOAmelia and Jonathan Hardington playing on a tree stump. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Youngsters went on a dragon hunt and created dragon plaques to take home, as well as being able to run around, climb trees and enjoy picnics.

The event, which was free to children, raised £2,000 toward the restoration of the historic gardens, created for “Darling Daisy”, Frances ‘Daisy’ Maynard, the Countess of Warwick, mistress of Edward, the Prince of Wales, who from 1901-1910 became King Edward VII.

Trustee Claire Matthews said: “We had twice as many visitors as last year, 365 adults and 102 children. The children particularly enjoyed the dragon hunt where they had to go round the garden finding images of dragons from Harry Potter. And they liked making the dragon plaques where they put their drawings onto wooden plaques on a string to hang up in their bedrooms at home. They also coloured in dragonfly wings.

“What’s so good about the gardens is that children can run around freely and safely. It was a very successful day.”

Dunmow Broadcast: Playing croquet at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOPlaying croquet at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: The open day at the gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOThe open day at the gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: The open day at the gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOThe open day at the gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: Enjoying a picnic at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOEnjoying a picnic at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)

Dunmow Broadcast: The open day at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTOThe open day at the Gardens of Easton Lodge. Picture: SAFFRON PHOTO (Image: Saffron Photo 2017)