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 24/25 - Bronze 2024| November, December, February (1 Nov 2024 - 28 Feb 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:30 | - 16:00* |
| Saturday - Sunday | 09:00 | - 16:00* |
| March - October (1 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Friday | 10:30 | - 17:00* |
| Saturday - Sunday | 09:00 | - 17:00* |
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