Bring the children to West Dean Gardens for some spooky half term family fun. Children can take part in craft activities in the gardens classroom which will be dressed for Halloween. Further activities include make a creepy crawly hotel, face painting and Dracula's lair. There will be a Halloween Trail with a small chocolate reward at the end. All visitors (no age restrictions!) are invited to come along in fancy dress and there will be a prize for the 'best dressed'. Bring the whole family and explore West Dean Gardens, including the beautiful 49 acre St. Roche's Aboretum in its autumn colours. The arboretum offers a brisk two-and-a-half-mile circuit walk that encompasses a fine collection of specimen trees and shrubs and breathtaking views of the surrounding Sussex Downs.

Pop into the Gardens Shop for greetings cards, unusual gifts, garden accessories and plants. After some seasonal shopping enjoy delicious home cooked food, prepared using produce from the kitchen garden wherever possible, including pumpkin soup and Halloween themed cakes.

West Dean Gardens is celebrating 25 Years of Glorious Gardening this year. Head gardeners, husband and wife, Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain, began renovating the derelict 19th landscape in 1991 into award-winning gardens. Pop into the 25 Years photographic exhibition in the 'old mushroom shed' in the kitchen garden. (Entry free with a gardens entry ticket).

Further information

Halloween activities, 26 to 30 October 2016 Wednesday to Friday 10.30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).

Prices

Adult (normal gardens entry) £8.50 (normal gardens entry) Child £4. Children's activities are included in the entry price. For more information visit www.westdeangardens.org.uk. Tickets will be valid for one visit on any day. Children under 16 enjoy free gardens entry but will need a Halloween Activities ticket to participate in the fun and must be accompanied by an adult.

Free parking. Free admission to Shop and Restaurant. Dogs on short leads welcome.

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Notes to editors

• West Dean Gardens is part of the Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust No. 1126084, also comprising West Dean College, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio.
• The gardens are open from 1 February - 23 December with special event days throughout the year including Apple Affair (1 and 2 October) and Father Christmas visits (10 & 11 and 17 & 18 December). Visit www.westdeangardens.org.uk to book tickets.
• All photography is free to use for editorial purposes.