By Matt and Abbie

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Beautiful Gardens in England: West Dean Gardens

Spring is nearly upon us here in the UK and one of the best places to witness this new season, is a beautiful English garden.

With the UK lockdowns ruling most of 2020 and 2021, looking forward to lighter evenings and the hopeful thought of a slow return to normality, is keeping most of us Brits going.

We love to travel and our plans to explore more of England are getting pushed back further and further with each week. But that doesn’t stop us from looking ahead and scrolling Instagram for new UK spots we have never heard of!

It’s nice to imagine how it will feel to be ‘free’ again. To get that ‘Friday feeling’ because we’re off to spend the weekend by the coast in our camper van. So until it’s safe to do so, we look forward to all of the places we will see again as well as new locations we’ll get to see for the very first time.

This brings us to West Dean Gardens, a beautiful English garden that we shall love to re-visit and see come back to life during the spring and summer months.

Where is West Dean Gardens?

Located at the foot of the South Downs in West Sussex, West Dean Gardens is a charming English garden that has been excellently restored. Set in 6,400 acres of English countryside, you can completely escape the outside world and enjoy total tranquilly. Whether you’re looking for an energetic ramble or fancy flexing your nature and landscape photography skills, there are many features that will catch the eye.

West Dean Gardens estate map…

West Dean Gardens
West Dean
Nr Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0RX

See this map in the original post

What is at West Dean Gardens?

From 13 restored Victorian Glasshouses, a magnificent manor house, walled kitchen gardens, a 100 metre-long Edwardian pergola and a 2.5 mile arboretum walk offering views of the South Down - you’re certainly in for a horticultural and historic treat.

There is a restaurant on-site that overlooks the beautiful Lavant valley and West Dean park with the River Lavant running alongside it. Gardener’s Cottage is another spot where you can enjoy something to eat. You’ll also find a cute gift shop which sells plenty of present ideas including homewares, jewellery, stationery and gardening products.

It’s worth noting that you can walk all the way around the estate but as it is home to grazing sheep, all dogs are asked to be kept on a lead.

How much is it to go to West Deans Gardens?

If you are visiting between November, December, January and February it’s £7 per person, however if you visit during the months of March - October it’s £10 per person. Book your visit to West Dean Gardens here.

How to get to West Dean Gardens

If you’re visiting by car then West Dean Gardens is 6 miles north of Chichester on the A286 towards Midhurst and free parking is available. Pop the postcode PO18 0RX into your sat nav to get there easily. 

However, if you’re coming by train then the nearest station is Chichester. Once you’ve arrived there you can either get a taxi or hop on the number 60 bus which runs around every half hour from Monday - Saturday and then every hour on Sundays.

We hope you enjoy it there as much as we did!