Dovecote restoration work supported by English Heritage and Wealden District Council
West Dean Farm Tours
West Dean Dovecote is the best preserved part of the old farm buildings which date from the Medieval era. The Tour starts in the Ox Yard and its surrounding barns Some geology as well as the history of the manor ownership start the tour before setting off into the ruins of the original West Dean House from 1597. A secret view of the Village from the Elizabethan terrace points out the original farm buildings and looks at the Orchard and Christmas Tree plantations. The Elizabethan Award winning terrace and two Jacobean Pavilion ruins are now open to tours
The conservation project for the Dovecote led by English Heritage and with the support of Wealden District Council and the Mitford Foulerton Trust was completed in 2009. During the archaeological evaluation of the site a Neolithic work pit was discovered which probably dates the settlement back to 2700BC. The tour ends in the Information Centre with Neolithic hand tools, Oak and tile used in the conservation, stone recovered during the excavation and a detailed tenement analysis since AD899. The tour is available for Groups or Parties of between 12 and 30 people with parking on site. The tour takes about an hour to two hours depending upon the level of detail needed. Tour price is £4.50 with all funds going to the maintenance and upkeep of the dovecote.GROUP BOOKINGS BEING TAKEN. EARLY EVENING TOURS AVAILABLE.