West Dean is a unique community, a creative and rich mixture of artists and craftspeople, conservators and restorers, working alongside gardeners, farmers, foresters and builders. Managed by The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust, West Dean is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in south-east England and comprises:
West Dean College, an internationally-renowned centre for study in:
Short courses for students of all abilities, from the beginner to the advanced professional practitioner, from painting to pottery, silversmithing to woodworking, music to creative writing.
West Dean Gardens now with year-round opening, features a beautiful parkland walk and arboretum with views over the surrounding Sussex Downs and a carefully restored walled kitchen garden with row upon row of perfect produce and some of the finest Victorian glasshouses in the country. The Visitor Centre houses a licensed restaurant with home made lunches and teas, and a shop featuring plants and individual gifts.
Sussex Barn Gallery features exhibitions of work by new and emerging artists as well as students and tutors of West Dean College.
West Dean Tapestry Studio - the only studio in England, accepting both public and private commissions on a large and small scale.
The 6,000-acre West Dean Estate, with farms, forestry, nature reserves and a commitment to affordable housing, also has our own environmentally-friendly wood-burning heating system.
The rooms in the fine flint mansion of West Dean House can be hired as a Conference Venue.
