West Dean House and its five annex buildings accommodate up to 140 residential students. The house is also the administrative hub of the Foundation, occupied by over 70 staff involved in the many diverse areas of the Foundation's activities from farming through to fine arts, building conservation to antique clock restoration.

Courses take place every day of the week with only a short break between Christmas and New Year. There is also a small but thriving conference business. Most of the 120 bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms. The entire operation can therefore be likened to a large country house hotel with a significant office complex. Consequently, the demand for heating and domestic hot water is high.