Garden Finder > England > West Sussex > West Dean Gardens

Last updated on 12 April 10

West Dean Gardens

  4.5/5 (4 ratings)

Gardenvisit Editorial

A nineteenth century Gothic house, designed by James Wyatt, with a twentieth century Arts and Crafts garden, designed by Harold Peto in 1911. Edward James, who lived here, was a patron of surrealist art. The great feature of West Dean Gardens is a 300' stone pergola with timber beams.The sunken garden has a pond. The kitchen garden and glass houses have been restored. They are excellent and much more interesting than the dull rose collections so often placed in kitchen gardens. There is also a park and woodland garden, in a beautiful valley.

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.

Address - West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, England, PO18 0QZ
Opening times - All year except Christmas period. March to October: open daily 10:30am to 5pm. November to February: open Wednesday to Sunday 10:30am to 4pm.
Admission - Adult March to October £7.50
Website - Visit the West Dean Gardens website

Designers and Influences

This garden has been designed and influenced by Harold Ainsworth Peto

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Recent Reviews

  • about 1 year ago Judi Lion said

    I had visited West Dean once many years ago; earlier this year I decided to become a Friend as I live only 10 miles away. I now visit at least once a month and find it a wonderful place to wander and relax. As a keen photographer there is always something new to catch the eye with the changing seasons. Just hoping we have some snow this year! The upkeep must be tremendous but the gardens and parkland are always in top condition - a tribute to the gardeners.

    (5.0/5)
  • about 2 years ago Steve Lawrence said

    To me, West Dean ranks as one of the finest gardens I have ever seen - the walled garden and greenhouses are inspirational, the parkland stunning, everything about it makes for a great day out and I insist that you visit it all year round especially when snow is on the ground. As a keen photographer, I know that fellow photgraphers will find endless inspiration and amazing shots here. There is always so much going on - visit soon!

    (5.0/5)
  • over 2 years ago Adam Hodge said

    The views of the Parkland are sublime and an intriguing juxtapostion to the gardens. The southwestern areas are more interesting [for my money].
    Peto's pergola, although very splendid seemed a bit dislocated and without reference to anything apart from the sunken garden, currently being renovated.

    Some of the plantings in front of the house are charming-Cleomes, Verbena bonariensis, Salvia involucrata, Salvia micro.cvs and copper leaved purple flowering Dahlias make an exciting assemblage.
    There is an unusual propensity of Taxus and Buxus, in big groups, beautifully manicured into dome shapes, reminding me of Jardins de Marqueyssac.

    The maintenance is of a high calibre, especially for such a large place.

    (4.0/5)
  • over 2 years ago pete said

    When I visited West Dean it rained, this didn't spoil my enjoyment of my stroll. The summer houses offered nice views and shelter from the rain so I could sit and read.

    the winding river offered a nice counterpoint to the planting.

    Well restored kitchen gardens

    (4.0/5)

See all the reviews of West Dean Gardens

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