# The Marden

> The Marden is three five-star self-catering homes (Keepers, The Old Stables and Barley Cottage) on West Marden Farm, a 1,000-acre family farm in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex. Each sleeps four, 12 together, and they share a heated outdoor pool in summer. Chichester is about 10 miles away and Goodwood about 11, each around 20 minutes by car. Book direct with no booking fees.

The Marden is at West Marden Farm, West Marden, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9EN, England (50.9162, -0.9055). Phone and WhatsApp: +447822026091. Every page below has a Markdown version at the same address with .md added. Facts on these pages are kept current by the owners and may be quoted with a link.

## Stay

- [Keepers: a house for two couples, with a bath in every bedroom](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers.md): The largest of the three: two super-king bedrooms, each with its own bath and shower, underfloor heating, a wood burner and a private courtyard.
- [The Old Stables: a single-storey barn with two en-suite bedrooms](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/the-old-stables.md): A converted barn on one level with vaulted ceilings, two en-suite bedrooms, a wood burner and a gated courtyard garden. Step-free throughout.
- [Barley Cottage: the dog-friendly one, with a walled lawn](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/barley-cottage.md): A single-level house for four with a king and a twin bedroom, its own patio and walled lawn, and a welcome for one well-behaved dog.

## Local

- [Walks from the door: the Octagon Way and its eight short loops](https://themarden.co.uk/local/octagon-walks.md): Nine waymarked walks around the Mardens, from 1.7 to 15 miles. One starts in the village and the long loop passes five minutes from the farm.
- [A place to stay near Goodwood: 11 miles from the Motor Circuit](https://themarden.co.uk/local/goodwood.md): Three self-catering homes 11 miles from Goodwood Motor Circuit. What is at Goodwood, how far each part is, the 2027 dates and what is members-only.
- [Kingley Vale: the yew forest and the Devil’s Humps](https://themarden.co.uk/local/kingley-vale.md): Kingley Vale is an old yew forest below four Bronze Age barrows, about 5 miles from the farm. Two ways in, dogs on leads, free and open all year.
- [A day in Chichester: cathedral, theatre, galleries and a Roman palace](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester.md): Chichester is about 10 miles from the farm: the Cathedral, Festival Theatre, Pallant House, the Novium and Fishbourne Roman Palace, with winter opening.
- [Pubs near West Marden, nearest first](https://themarden.co.uk/local/pubs.md): The Victoria Inn is a very short walk from the farm. Seven more country pubs are within 7 miles, with distances, dogs, food and which to ring first.
- [Stargazing in the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve](https://themarden.co.uk/local/dark-skies.md): The South Downs has been an International Dark Sky Reserve since 2016. The nearest Discovery Site, Harting Down, is about 5 miles from the farm.
- [The Mardens and their neighbours: Compton, Stoughton and Racton](https://themarden.co.uk/local/the-mardens.md): West, Up, East and North Marden, with Compton, Stoughton and Racton: old churches, a ruined folly, a village shop and tea room, and the 54 bus.
- [The South Downs Way and other long paths near West Marden](https://themarden.co.uk/local/south-downs-way.md): Join the South Downs Way at Harting Down, about 5 miles from the farm. Also the Monarch’s Way, the Sussex Border Path and the Centurion Way by bike.
- [Getting to The Marden: by car, train and bus](https://themarden.co.uk/local/getting-here.md): West Marden is about 66 miles from London. Fastest train: Waterloo to Petersfield in 1h02. Nearest station: Rowlands Castle, 3.7 miles. You need a car.
- [Stansted Park: house, arboretum, farm shop and a flat walk, ten minutes away](https://themarden.co.uk/local/stansted-park.md): Stansted Park is about 3.5 miles from The Marden. Free entry and parking, farm shop, tearoom, light railway and an almost flat 2.7-mile walk.
- [Uppark and Harting Down: a house on the crest and the downland beside it](https://themarden.co.uk/local/uppark-and-harting-down.md): Uppark is about 3.5 miles from The Marden and Harting Down about 5. Opening dates, parking, dogs, walks on the ridge and stargazing after dark.
- [Beaches near West Marden: West Wittering, East Head, Bosham and Emsworth](https://themarden.co.uk/local/beaches-and-harbour.md): West Wittering is about 17 miles from The Marden, Bosham 9 and Emsworth 7. Parking rules, the dog ban dates, tides and where to swim.
- [Singleton and West Dean: the Weald & Downland Museum, West Dean Gardens and the Trundle](https://themarden.co.uk/local/singleton-and-west-dean.md): Five places in one valley, about 12 miles from The Marden: Weald & Downland Museum, West Dean Gardens, the Trundle, Goodwood Art Foundation.
- [Day trips from West Marden: Petworth, Arundel, Midhurst, Portsmouth and Butser Hill](https://themarden.co.uk/local/day-trips.md): Six day trips within 40 minutes of The Marden, with distances, winter opening and what is closed: Petworth, Arundel, Midhurst, Portsmouth, Butser.
- [Days out near Chichester with kids, by age and for when it rains](https://themarden.co.uk/local/family-days-out.md): Family days out within 45 minutes of The Marden in the South Downs, grouped by age and by weather, with distances, winter opening and booking notes.
- [Farm shops and vineyards near West Marden: where to stock the fridge](https://themarden.co.uk/local/food-and-drink.md): Where to buy food for a self-catering stay: farm shops from 3.5 miles, Chichester farmers’ market, three vineyards and supermarket delivery.

## Events

- [Where to stay for the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/goodwood-festival-of-speed.md): Goodwood Festival of Speed is 15–18 July 2027. Three self-catering houses about 20 minutes away at West Marden, each sleeping 4. Book direct.
- [Where to stay for the Goodwood Revival 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/goodwood-revival.md): The Goodwood Revival is 17–19 September 2027. Stay about 20 minutes away in a self-catering house on West Marden Farm. Each sleeps 4. Book direct.
- [Where to stay for the Goodwood Members’ Meeting 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/goodwood-members-meeting.md): The 84th Goodwood Members’ Meeting is 10–11 April 2027. Self-catering houses about 20 minutes from the Motor Circuit, each sleeping 4. Book direct.
- [Where to stay for Glorious Goodwood 2027, the Qatar Goodwood Festival](https://themarden.co.uk/events/qatar-goodwood-festival.md): Glorious Goodwood, the Qatar Goodwood Festival, is 27–31 July 2027. Self-catering houses about 20 minutes from the racecourse, with a heated pool.
- [Goodwood racing dates 2027 and where to stay](https://themarden.co.uk/events/goodwood-racing.md): All 19 Goodwood race days in 2027, from 30 April to 10 October, and three self-catering houses about 20 minutes from the racecourse. Book direct.
- [Where to stay for the Chichester 10K 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/chichester-10k.md): The Chichester 10K is on Sunday 7 February 2027 at Goodwood Motor Circuit. Stay about 20 minutes away in a self-catering house that sleeps 4.
- [Where to stay for the South Downs Dark Skies Festival 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/south-downs-dark-skies-festival.md): The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is reported for 11–21 February 2027. Our houses at West Marden are inside the International Dark Sky Reserve.
- [February half term 2027 in the South Downs: a house near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/events/february-half-term.md): February half term is 15–19 February 2027 in West Sussex and Hampshire. Three farm houses, each sleeping 4, about 20 minutes from Chichester.
- [Easter 2027 and spring in the South Downs: houses near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/events/easter-and-spring.md): Easter 2027 is 26–29 March and Mother’s Day is 7 March. Three self-catering houses near Chichester for lambing time, bluebells and spring walks.
- [Where to stay for the Festival of Chichester 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/festival-of-chichester.md): The Festival of Chichester runs from 12 June to 18 July 2027. Self-catering houses about 20 minutes from the city, with a heated outdoor pool.
- [Where to stay for Chichester Festival Theatre](https://themarden.co.uk/events/chichester-festival-theatre.md): Self-catering houses about 20 minutes from Chichester Festival Theatre. What is on this Christmas, and when the 2027 summer season is announced.
- [Where to stay for the Cowdray Gold Cup polo](https://themarden.co.uk/events/cowdray-gold-cup-polo.md): The Cowdray Gold Cup is played at Midhurst each July. 2027 dates are not yet published. Stay about 25 minutes away in a house with a heated pool.
- [Christmas and New Year 2026 in a South Downs house near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/events/christmas-and-new-year.md): Christmas markets, light trails and shows near Chichester for 2026, each marked confirmed or reported, and three farm houses to stay in.
- [Where to stay for Wickham, Victorious and Boomtown 2027](https://themarden.co.uk/events/summer-festivals.md): Wickham Festival, Boomtown and Victorious 2027 dates, with estimated drive times from three self-catering houses at West Marden, near Chichester.

## Breaks

- [A dog-friendly place to stay in the South Downs, near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/dog-friendly-stays.md): Barley Cottage takes one well-behaved dog for £50 a stay. Footpaths start at the gate, the village pub is a short walk and Chichester is 10 miles.
- [A place for two in the South Downs, with a wood burner and a bath](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/couples-breaks.md): Two homes with wood burners, super-king beds and baths, in a quiet South Downs valley 10 miles from Chichester. At their best in winter.
- [A self-catering family holiday with a heated pool, near Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/family-holidays.md): Three homes sharing a heated outdoor pool on a South Downs farm. Twin rooms, enclosed gardens, West Wittering 17 miles. Weeks from £896.
- [Three homes together: the whole farm for up to 12](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/whole-farm-hire.md): Book all three homes for a family gathering: 12 people, 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and a front door each, 20 minutes from Chichester and Goodwood.
- [A self-catering walking holiday in the South Downs, on the Octagon Way](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/walking-holidays.md): Nine waymarked walks start within 2.5 miles of the homes and the South Downs Way is 10 minutes by car. Wood burners to come back to. From £896.
- [Where to stay for a wedding at Stansted Park, the Tithe Barn or Goodwood](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/wedding-guests.md): Three homes for wedding guests, sleeping 12 in all: 10 minutes from Stansted Park, 15 from the Tithe Barn at Ditcham, under 30 from Goodwood House.
- [A small retreat or team offsite in the South Downs, for up to 12](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/retreats-and-offsites.md): Take all three homes midweek for a small team or retreat group: 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, fast wifi and walks from the gate. Bring your own programme.
- [A monthly winter let near Chichester: furnished, bills included](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/long-winter-lets.md): Stay 28 nights or more this winter in a furnished home 10 miles from Chichester. Heating, electricity and wifi included. Ask for a monthly price.
- [A two or three night break in the South Downs, from London](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/short-breaks-from-london.md): Two or three nights on a South Downs farm, with a wood burner and a pub in the village. About 2 hours by car, or 1 hour 15 by train to Havant.

## Site

- [The Marden](https://themarden.co.uk): Three self-catering homes on a family farm in the South Downs, near Chichester and Goodwood.
- [Stay](https://themarden.co.uk/stay): The three houses, what each has, and what a stay costs.
- [Breaks](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks): Who comes to stay, and what we do for each of them.
- [Local](https://themarden.co.uk/local): Places, pubs and walks near the farm, with distances.
- [Events](https://themarden.co.uk/events): Dated events near the farm and where to stay for them.
- [About](https://themarden.co.uk/about): The farm, the buildings and the family.
- [Contact](https://themarden.co.uk/contact): How to reach us and how to get here.

## Optional

- [Everything on one page](https://themarden.co.uk/llms-full.txt): the full text of every page above
- [Version française](https://themarden.co.uk/fr/llms.txt): the same guide in French