点评:I have been visiting West Dean since I was a child in the 90s and have always loved to see the changes over the seasons. My Nan always used to take me around the estate and point out all of the curiosities.
It has now been a few years since my last visit and when I took a trip today, I found out that there was free entry (via their appalling website that constantly freezes!) - a nice bonus. £7.50 is steep, but worth it. The summer rate would warrant a -hugely- better display.
The greenhouses are falling apart, paths not raked, paint flaking off everything from benches to gates and even the house. It seems there’s some very deep maintenance required and it makes me sad to see it in such a state. It feels like someone’s come in and tried to make the whole operation more corporate, not friendly and old-fashioned like it used to be.
The arboretum (despite being a fair hike up the hill) was by far the highlight - Azaleas and Rhododendrons abound, what a riot of colour! A lovely view over the downs as well.
So whilst the winter rate is reasonable, I’d not be shelling out £13 for a summer visit whilst it’s in this state. Too many ‘wild’ unkempt areas that hide the previous layout and beauty of the estate.
翻译:我从90年代还是个孩子的时候就开始去西迪恩庄园,一直很喜欢看四季更迭。我奶奶以前总是带我逛庄园,给我指出各种有趣的地方。
距离上次去已经好几年了,今天我又去了一趟,发现居然免费入场(不过他们的网站真是烂到家了,老是崩溃!)。真是个意外之喜。7.5英镑的门票虽然有点贵,但还是值得的。如果按夏季票价来算,那展览效果肯定会好得多。
温室破败不堪,小路无人清理,从长椅到大门,甚至房子,到处都是油漆剥落的痕迹。看来这里急需彻底修缮,看到它现在这副模样,我感到很惋惜。感觉像是有人接手后,想把整个庄园搞得更商业化,而不是像以前那样亲切又古朴。
植物园(虽然要爬一段山路才能到)绝对是此行的亮点——杜鹃花和山茶花遍地盛开,色彩缤纷,美不胜收!还能欣赏到丘陵地带的美丽景色。
所以,虽然冬季的门票价格还算合理,但就目前这副模样,我不会在夏季花13英镑去参观。太多“荒芜”的未修剪区域掩盖了庄园原有的布局和美景。