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. 

To visit the Gardens pre-booking tickets online is essential. Tickets are available for up to two weeks in advance. Please read our FAQs for more information.

Please note: The Gardens are open but the number of tickets that can be pre-booked is limited per transaction. The Gift Shop and Gardens Restaurant are open to pre-booked ticket holders only. Please adhere to the current lockdown and social distancing rules during your visit.

Gardens Restaurant update: Please be aware that the Gardens Restaurant will only be serving drinks and cakes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, then a limited lunch menu, drinks and cakes the rest of the week. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

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

Grow your own with Tom Brown

Thinking of growing your own and wondering where to start? If the answer is 'yes', West Dean's Head Gardener, Tom Brown, is here to inspire and help you with his series of short videos to 'grow your own'. We now have four videos in the series:

See the latest grow your own videos
Making a Christmas wreath on a Short Course at West Dean College

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

Copyright Trevor Sims
© Trevor Sims
The Gardens team has propagated around 25 different varieties of winter stems, ready to plant in Autumn 2021.
The Gardens team has propagated around 35 different varieties of winter stems, ready to plant in the Spring Garden in Autumn 2021. Image credit: Tom Brown
© Judi Lion
© Judi Lion
A tranquil spot where the River Lavant flows through the Spring Gardens
A tranquil spot where the River Lavant flows through the Spring Gardens
The October sun shining through the trees in the Arboretum
The October sun shining through the trees in the Arboretum at West Dean Gardens
Apples grow in abundance in the Walled Kitchen Garden
Apples grow in abundance in the Walled Kitchen Garden at West Dean
Japanese Anemones at West Dean Gardens
Japanese Anemones, growing next to the Pergola
Roses in bloom along the pergola
Roses in bloom along the pergola
A view down the Edwardian pergola at West Dean gardens with the sunshine highlighting the colourful flowers
The glorious summer sunshine highlighting the beauty of the Edwardian pergola at West Dean Gardens
Conetwirl by Eilis O Connell
Conetwirl - One of the four sculptures by Eilís O'Connell in West Dean Gardens
Apple Store at West Dean Gardens
Apple Store at West Dean Gardens
The results of the 2020 Foxgloves trial
The results of the 2020 Foxgloves trial
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Gardening short courses

Gardening short courses at West Dean College

Book your place on one of our gardening short courses ranging from talks, lectures, one day or long weekend courses.

See all gardening courses

Gardens Blog

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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.