A summer of Events at West Dean Gardens

The West Dean Gardens team launch their summer programme of events on 17 and 18 May with Wholly Herbs, and weekend events continue throughout the summer.

The Garden Event on 21 & 22 June, Chilli Fiesta on 9 & 10 August, Totally Tomato Show on 6 & 7 September and Apple Affair on 11 & 12 October, and of course visitors to the shows will also enjoy the stunning surroundings of West Dean Gardens with its walled kitchen garden, restored Victorian glasshouses and parkland.

Wholly Herbs - 17 &18 May celebrates the amazing qualities of the herb family, from its horticultural, culinary and medicinal uses to home, beauty-related and aromatherapy applications.

There will be demonstrations using herbs for dyeing, an insight into how a Roman apothecary used herbs, from Fishbourne Roman Palace, guided tours with trained herbalists in the Gardens to explain uses of common garden plants, and demonstrations on how to grow your own herbs. Plus, herb-laden foods ranging from conserves, jellies, sauces and cakes to sausages, Indian food, dips and cheeses, recipe demonstrations, plants and seeds for sale, health and beauty products, and locally produced food and drink.

Garden Event - 21 & 22 June has become a highlight of the British garden enthusiast’s calendar. Exhibitors will provide a variety of specialist plants, shrubs, roses, herbs, vegetables and young plants, plus a selection of garden tools, furniture, ornaments, sculptures and food products. There will also be expert advice from specialist nurseries.

Chilli Fiesta - 9 & 10 August. A truly amazing event with over 250 chillies and sweet peppers on display in the restored Victorian glasshouses in all shapes and sizes from Apache to Wild Fire, Banana to Carrot and Titanic. There will be food tasting, chilli growing and cooking demonstrations. As well as chilli chocolate, ice cream and fruit juices. Latin rhythms and salsa dancing will make this a day to remember.

September will see the Totally Tomato Show on the 6th and 7th when more than 150 varieties of tomatoes grown in the walled kitchen garden will be on show. In October, an Apple Affair runs on 11th & 12th and visitors will be able to see over 100 varieties of apple grown in the garden.

Admission to all garden events is £7.25 for adults plus concessions. The shows will open between 10.30am and 5pm.

The award-winning West Dean Gardens are open throughout the year. The walled kitchen garden features some of the finest Victorian glasshouses in the country with row upon row of perfect produce.

Beside West Dean House; now an internationally – renowned Arts College, is the 300 foot-long Edwardian Pergola designed by Harold Peto, and a circular two and a half mile walk through the 49 acre St Roche’s arboretum offers breathtaking views of the estate and surrounding countryside.