West Dean Gardens West Dean Gardens

Ali Ray says: Chillis are big in Chichester. They are also small, hot, fiery, mild and multi-coloured. In fact the West Dean Gardens houses a collection of about 200 different varieties of all shapes and sizes, and with varying degrees of heat. Now while a visit to the gardens to marvel at the chillis, the kitchen garden and glorious parkland is a good way to spend a day, the real attraction has to be the Chilli Fiesta that is held here in early August. This is a festival celebrating everything about these little red rockets of fire, with live music, cooking demonstrations, latino dancing and plenty of spicy food stalls. How much heat can you take?