# February half term 2027 in the South Downs: a house near Chichester

> February half term 2027 is Monday 15 to Friday 19 February for West Sussex and Hampshire schools. The Marden is three self-catering houses on a working family farm at West Marden, about 20 minutes’ drive from Chichester, each sleeping 4, with a three-night minimum stay that week. The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is reported for 11–21 February, and the farm is inside the Dark Sky Reserve.

- **Dates:** Mon 15 to Fri 19 February 2027
- **From the farm:** About 20 minutes to Chichester
- **Sleeps:** 4 per house, 12 across the farm
- **Minimum stay:** Three nights at half term

## The dates

West Sussex County Council’s [term dates](https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/school-term-dates/) give February half term as Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027. Hampshire’s are the same. With the weekends either side, that is Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February.

Most London boroughs normally take the same week, but we have not checked them one by one, and academies and independent schools set their own dates. Check your own school before you book.

## What a week here looks like

It is a farm in winter. There is mud, you will want wellies and it is dark by half past five. Children tend to like all three. Each house has its own garden and a kitchen for proper meals, and Keepers and The Old Stables have wood burners for the evenings.

The heated outdoor pool is closed in February. It is open from mid-June to early September. If a pool matters, look at [family holidays](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/family-holidays) for the summer.

Each house sleeps 4. [Barley Cottage](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/barley-cottage) has a king and a twin room, which suits two adults and two children. [The Old Stables](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/the-old-stables) has a second bedroom that can be made up as a super king or a twin. [Keepers](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers) has two super-king rooms, both en-suite. Two families can take a house each and share the farm, and grandparents can have the third.

## Things to do that week

The [South Downs Dark Skies Festival](https://themarden.co.uk/events/south-downs-dark-skies-festival) is reported for 11 to 21 February, right across half term. The dates are not yet on the National Park’s own site. The farm is inside the Dark Sky Reserve, so on a clear night you can stargaze from the garden once the children are in pyjamas.

- [Kingley Vale](https://themarden.co.uk/local/kingley-vale): ancient yew trees to climb about under, at their best in winter light.
- Weald & Downland Living Museum at Singleton, about 20 minutes away: a Bayeux Around Britain exhibition is reported for February to June 2027. Exact dates are not published.
- [Stansted Park](https://themarden.co.uk/local/stansted-park), under 10 minutes away: a level walk through the parkland, good for small legs.
- The [beaches and harbour](https://themarden.co.uk/local/beaches-and-harbour): quiet in February, with room to run.
- [Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester), about 20 minutes: for a wet day.
- Snowdrops, usually out until the end of February, at West Dean Gardens and in local churchyards.

## Getting about

You need a car here. Chichester and Goodwood are about 20 minutes away and Queen Elizabeth Country Park about 15. Parking at the houses is free. The Victoria Inn is a very short walk from the farm, which takes care of one supper. Our [family days out](https://themarden.co.uk/local/family-days-out) page has more ideas, with distances.

## When to book

Half term is the one busy week in a quiet month, and there is a three-night minimum stay. If your dates are flexible, the weekend before includes Valentine’s Day, Sunday 14 February. The week after is quieter again. Book direct with no booking fees, or message us on WhatsApp and ask which house would suit.

## Questions

### When is February half term 2027?

Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027 for West Sussex and Hampshire county council schools. Academies and independent schools can differ.

### Is the pool open at February half term?

No. The heated outdoor pool is open from mid-June to early September. In February, Keepers and The Old Stables have wood burners.

### Can we bring the dog?

Barley Cottage takes one well-behaved dog, at £50 per stay. Keepers and The Old Stables do not take dogs. See [dog-friendly stays](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/dog-friendly-stays).

### What is there to do with children near Chichester in February?

Kingley Vale’s yew forest, Stansted Park, the Weald & Downland Living Museum, the beaches and, on a clear night, stargazing from the garden. The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is reported for 11–21 February 2027.

### Which house is best for a family of four?

Each house sleeps 4. Barley Cottage has a king and a twin room on one level. The Old Stables has two en-suite bedrooms, one of which can be a twin. A bigger family can take two houses.

## Related

- [A self-catering family holiday with a heated pool, near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/family-holidays.md)
- [Days out near Chichester with kids, by age and for when it rains](https://themarden.co.uk/local/family-days-out.md)
- [Where to stay for the South Downs Dark Skies Festival 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/south-downs-dark-skies-festival.md)
- [Kingley Vale: the yew forest and the Devil’s Humps](https://themarden.co.uk/local/kingley-vale.md)
- [A dog-friendly place to stay in the South Downs, near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/dog-friendly-stays.md)
- [Keepers: a house for two couples, with a bath in every bedroom](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers.md)

## Booking

Book direct with The Marden at https://themarden.co.uk (no booking fees), or message us on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447822026091. West Marden Farm, West Marden, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9EN.

Page: https://themarden.co.uk/events/february-half-term · Last updated 2026-11-14