West Dean Gardens

Head Gardener's Comment

A place of beauty and tranquillity in the rolling South Downs.

The restored Walled Kitchen Garden features some of the finest Victorian glasshouses in the country. Sixteen in total, packed full of exotic flowers, seasonal fruit and vegetables –from orchids to nectarines, peppers and cucumber, tomatoes to aubergines.

The architectural delights of West Dean can be seen in their full splendour – with Harold Peto’s spectacular 300 foot-long Edwardian Pergola dominating the North Lawn behind the main House. There are also four nineteenth century rustic summerhouses constructed from different materials and complementary designs within the grounds which offer shelter and respite.

The River Lavant winds its way through the grounds and Spring Garden with unusual ‘Bognor rock’ and flintwork bridges across.

Wander through the extensive grounds, past rare trees and shrubs, ornamental borders, a naturalistically-planted pond.