Following the Government’s latest guidance, award-winning West Dean Gardens, near Chichester in West Sussex has announced that it will remain open to the public during the lockdown that starts on Thursday, November 5, 2020. The Gardens are open seven days a week with their Winter opening hours from 10.30am to 4pm and entry continues to be by timed tickets available to book online, and pre-booking is essential. The Gardens’ Shop and Restaurant will be closed.
 

During the Covid-19 lockdown, West Dean Tapestry Studio has relocated to the kitchen or loft space of each weaver, and weaving continues - albeit on a much smaller scale. Trainee Weaver Emma Straw has been creating a series of striking small tapestries inspired directly by the Empress of the Insects project that she was working on in the Tapestry Studio before the lockdown. The Tapestry is a translation of a fantastical drawing by Edward James, The Empress of the Insects at her Midsummer Night’s Ball created by James in 1983.