West Dean Estate and Weald and Downland Museum Walks

3.7 miles (6 km)

This walk takes you around the beautiful gardens, woodland and arboretums in the West Dean Estate near Chichester.
The gardens are particularly lovely with a Walled Kitchen Garden, a spectacular 300 foot-long Edwardian Pergola, a Spring Garden and a beautiful parkland walk with views over the South Downs. There are also views of the River Lavant and the wonderful West Dean College building.
On the eastern side of the site there's also the fascinating Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. The museum boasts '45 historic houses and agricultural buildings dating from the 13th century to victorian times rebuilt in a magnificent parkland setting'.
To extend your walking in the area try our West Dean and East Dean Walk. This route takes you between the two villages on the Monarch's Way, passing The Trundle Hillfort on the way.

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West Dean Estate Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

West Dean Estate Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

West Dean Estate OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

West Dean Estate Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head north west and you could visit a splendid viewpoint at Harting Down. There's also the nearby village of South Harting where you could pay a visit to the National Trust's Uppark. Here you'll find a fine 17th century Georgian House surrounded by lovely gardens with views of the English Channel. The author H.G Wells stayed in the house during the late 19th century. The class divisions he observed here inspired his socialist views which later manifested themselves in work such as 'The Time Machine'. You can find the house at postcode GU31 5QR.