Children can enjoy the magic of telling Father Christmas their secret wishes in his grotto in the historic Apple Store in the award-winning West Dean Gardens. Father Christmas is visiting the gardens on 12 & 13 and 19 & 20 December (10.00am to 4.00pm). The Gardens Shop will be packed with festive lights, original gifts, decorations and cards. The Gardens Restaurant will be serving festive fayre (28 November to 20 December).

Tickets to see Father Christmas sell out early so booking is essential. The standard price of £4 Child includes a gift, and activities make a pine cone Christmas decoration or Christmas card to take home, and accompanying Adult ticket £5 includes entry to the award-winning gardens and mulled wine and a mince pie.

For further information or to book tickets visit West Dean Gardens

Gardens Restaurant and Shop

After choosing some beautiful gifts in the Gardens Shop unwind over a Traditional Homemade Christmas Lunch in the West Dean Gardens Restaurant available from 1 to 18 December 12.00pm to 2.30pm daily (excluding weekends). Booking is essential and to make a reservation telephone 01243 818215 (bookings taken from 12 October). The restaurant is the perfect place to meet a friend and spoil yourselves with a slice of Jane's Christmas cake served with a hot drink (£4.75) or Jane's Homemade Mince Pie and a hot drink (£3.50).

For a very special seasonal gift, vouchers can be purchased to be put towards the cost of a creative short course at West Dean College to the value of £10, £25, £50 or £100. The College runs over 700 short courses a year in arts, crafts, gardening and music. Vouchers are available by calling 01243 818300.

Traditional Home Cooked Christmas Lunch

Menu

Soup of the Day

Served with a warm Baguette

Or

Smoked Salmon, Dill & Lemon Pâté

with Toasted Rye Bread

Fresh Roast Turkey with

Roast Potatoes, Parsnips, Honey Glazed Carrots & Sprouts

Or

Golden Glaze Carrots, Mushroom & Hazelnut Tart

Traditional Christmas pudding with Brandy Sauce

Tea or coffee and mints

£20.00 per head

Free parking at the Gardens Shop and Restaurant.

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Notes to editors

• West Dean Gardens is part of the Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust No. 1126084, also comprising West Dean College, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio.
• The Gardens are open from 1 February - 20 December with special event days throughout the year. See West Dean Gardens for more information on events.
• All photography is free to use for editorial purposes.
• West Dean College is situated on the A286, six miles north of Chichester and within easy access of Portsmouth, Guildford, Brighton and London.