West Dean is an international centre for arts, conservation, and design in Chichester, West Sussex, UK.

West Dean College was founded in 1971 by the poet and surrealist patron, Edward James at his former home, a historic 6,200 acre estate set in the heart of the South Downs near Chichester, West Sussex, UK.

In 1939 Edward wrote to the author Aldous Huxley, expressing his fear that after the war, certain arts, particularly the techniques of the craftsmen, would be lost. As a solution, James suggested that his family estate be set up as an educational community where the techniques of craftsmanship could be preserved and taught.

Today, as part of The Edward James Foundation (Charity No. 1126084), West Dean offers world-class degrees, diplomas, and short courses in a wide range of creative fields; as well as specialised conservation programmes and innovative design education across campuses in Sussex and London.

The West Dean Estate is also home to the award winning West Dean Gardens, the Gardens Restaurant which features produce grown on site in the working kitchen gardens and the West Dean Tapestry Studio, one of the only commercial tapestry studios in the UK today.

West Dean’s unique setting, coupled with state-of-the-art facilities and a curriculum rooted in the belief of ‘making’, provides an inspiring environment for students to develop their creative potential.

Find out more at westdean.ac.uk