West Dean College of Arts and Conservation is an internationally recognised centre of arts and craft education for all levels, welcoming students for beginner one day courses, to Masters degrees.
The College offers one of the most impressive line-ups of expert tutors from across the arts and craft world, and short courses give you the opportunity to take home ideas, techniques, new inspiration and your finished work to treasure.
From contemporary to traditional crafts, choose from Art, Textiles (including Tapestry), Photography, Furniture-making, Metalwork and Jewellery, Pottery and Ceramics, Gardening, Sculpture and much more.
Students have access to fully equipped workshops and studios, a craft shop on site, and experience a dynamic hub of creativity with glimpses of other courses in action. There are a number of residential options available to stay on-site, making it the ultimate ‘stay-cation’.
The stunning setting of the South Downs and the award-winning West Dean Gardens provide an inspiring environment for an unforgettable creative experience.
Creative inspiration at your finger tips
Follow along with our series of bite-size videos and be inspired with tips, tutorials and techniques from the expert artists and makers who teach on our short courses.
Arts events
Events at the College take place throughout the year and include student exhibitions, artist talks, literary salons and concerts.
If you are travelling by bus, from either Chichester or Midhurst direction, please note the number 60 bus stops very close to the West Dean Gardens entrance. However the stop is not marked on the stagecoach timetable or on their website. Therefore, if travelling from the Midhurst direction it is the stop after the West Dean Gardens entrance, and if travelling from Chichester direction it is the stop after The Dean Inn, in West Dean village. Visitors may enter the Gardens via the nearby pedestrian gate. Direct train services to Chichester are available from London Victoria. Connecting buses (Stagecoach number 60) are available from the bus station (adjacent to the train station), alternatively a taxi rank is situated outside the station. It is a 10-15 minute journey to West Dean College.
14/15 Bronze Award - Beautiful South Awards for Excellence 2014
Tourism South East Member 23/24 - Bronze 2023| March - October (1 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:30 | - 17:00* |
| Saturday - Sunday | 09:00 | - 17:00* |
| November, December, February (1 Nov 2024 - 28 Feb 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:30 | - 16:00* |
| Saturday - Sunday | 09:00 | - 16:00* |
Creatively inspired by its rich heritage and South Downs setting, West Dean Gardens is…
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is a hidden gem in the South East, quintessentially…
Chichester Festival Theatre creates inspiring experiences and exceptional stories that…
Peta and Bruce live in an idyllic setting . They are located 7 miles north of Chichester…
A chance to see and hear the stories of heroes, in the air and on the ground, from World…
In the heart of Chichester, a magnificent Cathedral with treasures ranging from medieval…
Bishop's Palace Gardens is situated within the City Walls, next to the Cathedral. And it…
The Gallery houses one of the most impressive collections of art in the country in a…
The Aldingbourne Country Centre is a ‘Great day out’ in West Sussex.
Visit their open…
The South Downs, now a newly designated National Park are easily accessible from…
There are more than 4000 stars and other celestial objects in the skies of the South…
Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the…
Bignor Park is a private estate located in beautiful unspoilt surroundings at the foot of…
Bignor Roman Villa is the stunning remains of a Roman home with world-class mosaic floors…
Chichester Harbour is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty including the harbour and…
Experience life on a working deer farm, explore the farm trail, adventure playground and…
© Visit South East England 2024. All Rights Reserved
.png){kind=icon}
