Christmas
West Dean College
£12.50Experience the magic of the festive season at the West Dean Christmas Market, a celebration of makers and their craft, showing the best in art, craft, food and drink. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the West Dean House estate rooms and front lawn, with live music, carol singing, food stands, and Christmas creative taster sessions from Modern Calligraphy Co and expert tutors.
Gift Personalisation by The Modern Calligraphy Co.
Make your Christmas gifts extra special this year with beautiful, personalised calligraphy, embossing, and engraving. The Modern Calligraphy Co. will be at the Christmas Market, offering a live calligraphy personalisation service. Bring your pre-purchased glass, paper, or leather gifts and have names, initials, or custom details added to create a truly unique present.
Entry to the market is by pre-booked time slot, we invite you to use this time to explore everything the house has to offer. Afterwards, continue the festive spirit outdoors and discover the rest of the offerings or take a stroll around the gardens, all at your own pace.
Opening Times
Friday 27 November | 2pm - 8pm
Saturday 28 November | 9am - 6pm
Travel & directions
Entrance is via West Dean Gardens. View travel and directions.
Interested in having a stall? Please complete and return the application form to our events team at [email protected] by Friday 10 October. We would love to see as many talented makers taking part, so please do get in touch.
Book NowFancy making your own gifts or picking up a new skill this Christmas? Try your hand at a new craft at one of our creative taster sessions running throughout the Christmas Market. These are beginner-friendly two-hour sessions covering a range of crafts in a relaxed, small-group setting. Market entry and all materials are included, so just bring your creativity and a bit of festive cheer.
Create your own beautifully decorated Christmas bauble in this two-hour festive creative taster session. You’ll learn simple decorative techniques before choosing a name or special word to be professionally hand-lettered onto your finished bauble - perfect to keep or give as a personalised Christmas gift. This course is held within our short course workshops.
Friday 27 November | 10am-12pm
Tutor: The Modern Calligraphy Co.
£57.50
A focused introduction to spindle turning, giving beginners the essential skills to safely turn, finish and assemble two single-timber Christmas ornaments. Suitable for complete beginners with no previous woodturning experience who would like a focused, accessible introduction to spindle turning through a practical finished project. All tools and materials included. This course is held within our short course workshops.
Friday 27 November | 10.30am-1.30pm
Tutor: Randon Burns
£107.50
Join an experienced tutor for a relaxed two-hour festive calligraphy creative taster session. Using specially designed Christmas templates, you’ll learn how to personalise your own beautiful Christmas card and discover simple techniques for writing names and festive messages beautifully by hand. This course is held within our short course workshops.
Friday 27 November | 2pm-4pm
Tutor: The Modern Calligraphy Co.
£57.50
Take time away from the Christmas market and join us for a relaxed and informal festive calligraphy session held in the heart of West Dean House. Guided by an experienced tutor, you’ll use specially designed Christmas templates to personalise your own beautiful Christmas card and discover simple techniques for writing names and festive messages beautifully by hand. This session will be held in the bar at the main house.
Saturday 28 November | 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
Tutor: The Modern Calligraphy co.
£50.50
