West Dean Gardens

Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens in West Sussex is one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today.

Visitors can explore a wide range of historic features on a gentle walk around the grounds. From surreal trees to the restored walled garden, West Dean Gardens proudly presents its rich creative and social heritage.

A stop in our Visit England-endorsed Restaurant and Gift Shop will complete every visit.

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Yours to Explore

Creatively inspired by its rich heritage and setting. For a day out near Chichester West Dean Gardens is brimming with features to enjoy.

An impressive collection of working Victorian Glasshouses, a 300 foot pergola, a spring garden with flint bridges and the occasional surreal fibreglass tree offer year-round interest to garden visitors.

Explore the Gardens

About the Gardens

View a map of the gardens, meet the gardening team and find out what’s new in the garden this month. Learn about the history of the gardens and how they became what they are today.

What's New?

We're preparing for some glorious spring events here at West Dean Gardens, including the egg-citing Easter Trail - find out what's happening. Plus find out about our Spring Pass.

Wedding photo credit: Dasha Caffrey

Wedding Receptions

Celebrate your wedding day in style with a marquee reception for up to 200 guests on the picnic lawn or front lawn at West Dean Gardens. Our experienced team offer a bespoke service to help you plan a your special day. Limited dates available for 2019, see all availability.

Try a garden-themed short course

Let the Gardens be your inspiration on a short course at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Learn practical gardening skills or garden design from the experts. Get behind the camera lens and discover how to get the best images of the garden on a photography course, or join an art course and interpret the landscape on canvas.

Find out more about gardening courses and lectures or the wide range of creative courses available.

For shorter garden talks please visit our gardens events page.

Gardens Gallery

The Walled Kitchen Garden
Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora
The glasshouses in winter
Chillis in the glasshouses
The glorious summer sunshine highlighting the beauty of the Edwardian pergola at West Dean Gardens
Conetwirl - One of the four sculptures by Eilís O'Connell in West Dean Gardens
The River Lavant flows during the winter months
The view across the gardens down to the pergola in winter
Apple Store at West Dean Gardens
West Dean Gardens makes a stunning venue for the perfect wedding reception
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Upcoming events

The Easter Trail 2019

Date
Friday 19 April - Monday 22 April

West Dean Arts and Craft Festival 2019

Date
31 May - 2 June 2019, 10am-5pm
View All Events

Gardens Blog

Welcome to West Dean Gardens in Spring 2019

Posted on 8th April 2019

Complaining about the heat in February is a rare occurrence but wasn't it joyful to bask in the sun so early this year and at school, half term as well - extra bonus! The above average, seasonal temperature figures were enough to put one into a flat spin under glass though, as spring is a major sowing time and there are many little plants to fuss over. Strong winds have featured too this year so we make sure that glass is closed on windy days to protect it from sudden gusts...

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Support West Dean Gardens

West Dean Gardens is part of a registered charity and its upkeep and care are only possible with the support of generous donors, friends and legacy gifts.

If you share our passion for the gardens and gardening excellence,
please find out how you can help support their upkeep.