Springtime events at Dalwood's High Grange – fire pits and feasts, health and wellbeing

From health and wellbeing to education, cookery and feast nights, High Grange in Dalwood has something for everyone in its upcoming spring events programme. 

The family-run business near Axminster, led by husband and wife team Luke and Sara Vandore-Mackay, includes an outdoor cookery school with fire pits and pizza oven, indoor and outdoor dining areas for supper clubs and feast nights, as well as wellness events and classes in its shippen outbuilding. 

Events coming up this spring include relaxing wellness sessions for parents and women going through the menopause, a creative writing workshop for children taking the 11+ exam, Easter lunches, a fire supper and fire school classes, and a spectacular feast night in late April. 

See full details of all upcoming events below…

Wellbeing Events at High Grange

How To Be A Calm & Conscious Parent: Using Breath To Heal Stress and Trauma with Natalie Vallely

Friday, March 31, 10am to 11.30am 

Natalie is a reiki master, qualified Conscious Connected Breathwork facilitator and former social worker. 

She will lead a discussion on how our nervous and immune systems co-exist, how our bodies store unresolved trauma and stress, and how we can use this knowledge, and our breath, to become calm and conscious parents.

She will also teach practical breathing exercises to manage stressful or traumatic situations. This session is deliberately timed just before the Easter holidays to keep us cool under pressure! 

Creative Writing Workshop for the 11+ with Shaun Vallely (children ages 9-10)

Two-day course on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11 and 12, 9.15am - 11.30am

Enjoy learning and loving words and stories with greater freedom, outside the classroom in the beautiful woodland of High Grange. This class of eight children will look at creative writing ideas, inspiration and tuition, designed to help you to write imaginative and inspiring stories. 

Shaun is a secondary school English teacher with a passion for teaching and making learning fun. The workshop will aim to spark enthusiasm and originality in written expression. 

How to Listen To Your Body, Embrace the Power of the Menopause and Find your Purpose with Clare Love 

Friday, April 28, 10am to 11.30am

Clare is a nutritional therapist and holistic life coach and advises women how to manage their perimenopause and menopause symptoms naturally (or in combination with HRT). 

She will open a safe space to share our symptoms and anxieties including the dreaded brain fog, hot flushes and stress, and look into how we can manage them from a natural, holistic approach with a particular focus on nutrition. 

Clare believes menopause is not the malfunction or disorder it is perceived to be, but instead a natural life stage which we can learn from and embrace to find our inner wise woman! 

Creative Botanical Dye Day Retreat with Babs Behan of Botanical Inks

Saturday, May 13, 10am to 4pm

This mindful, slow-craft day begins with some gentle sensory herbalism practices to centre ourselves and land together as a group;

Harvesting High Grange plants and herbs for brewing natural dye, practising some simple shibori techniques on pre-loved garments to refresh them with exciting natural dye patterns, then bundle dyeing beautiful silks with colourful seasonal flowers to make a scarf and block printing cards and envelopes with multi-coloured botanical inks. 

This includes a delicious seasonal lunch by chef Luke, teas and refreshments. 

To book any of the above or for details of regular classes including yoga, new moon meditations, women's circle and holistic facials and massage, visit https://www.highgrangedevon.com/wellbeing

Food events at High Grange

Easter Lunches

Wednesdays, April 5 and 12

Enjoy an informal lunch of fire-pit snacks, then wood-roasted spring vegetables with romesco sauce, flat breads, whole fire-pit lamb, smashed Devon-mid potatoes with wild garlic butter, gravy, spring sauce and Dalwood asparagus, followed by 'Rhubarb & Custard'.

This three-hour lunch costs £45 per person. Children are welcome with the Easter bunny set to make an appearance, and prices and details for under 14s are available on request.

Fire Supper

Wednesday, April 18

An informal supper but with the same structure, attention to detail and quality as High Grange's signature feast nights. You will be served two or three courses in the theme of whatever chef Luke has chosen and enjoy eating, drinking and laughing around a beautiful oak dining table. 

The menu will be announced closer to the time but previous examples include a whole lamb asado, steak and chips, and a veggie grill. 

Fire School

Saturday, April 15 (full day) and Friday, April 21 (half day beginner and intermediate class)

Come prepared to learn, eat and laugh. These are barbecue cooking school classes which cover the full gamut of outdoor cooking (full day) or a useful introductory or refresher course (half day). 

Courses will cover a huge variety of outdoor fire cooking, British barbecue techniques and butchery with Luke Vandore-Mackay, chef and demo tutor. Come hungry and be prepared to cook and eat all together.

High Grange Feast Night

Friday, April 28



High Grange's signature feast night – this is a high-end, five-course tasting menu featuring amazing local meat, fish and vegetables from the local East Devon larder.

Once a month, these communal suppers offer you the chance to make new friends, eat delicious food and then take in the magical atmosphere of the High Grange estate. It begins with a welcome cocktail and canapés, and guests then sit down at our outdoor communal oak table (indoor in terrible weather!) for at least five courses of the best local ingredients, costing £85 per person including a cocktail.

To book any of the above, visit https://www.highgrangedevon.com/bookevents