by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:12th August 2025
900 years of history
Well, we’re certainly getting our money’s worth from our National Trust subscription again this year, as we’ve just visited the magnificent Petworth House in West Sussex.
Petworth House is just around 15 miles northeast of Chichester and is nestled inside a 700-acre deer park within the South Downs National Park. When you begin to stroll towards Petworth House, the hustle and bustle of daily life is left behind, and peace descends through the Pleasure Garden.
When you’ve explored the grand abode of Petworth House and stood in awe at the stunning works of art by Turner, Gainsborough, and Reynolds, to name just a few, ensure you allow time to discover the Upper Pond and Deer Park.
So, let’s grab our National Trust cards and explore Petworth House.
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Where is Petworth?
How to get to Petworth
- By Train
The nearest train station to Petworth is Pulborough, which is 5¼ miles away. The No. 1 Stagecoach bus service between Worthing and Midhurst passes Pulborough train station.
- By Car
The Main Car Park for Petworth House, is located on the A283. If you wish to access Petworth Park, follow the signs to the North Car Park.
There’s a free car park for National Trust members; parking charges may apply to non-members.
Petworth House postcode is GU28 9LR ///unusable.candidate.consoled or you can find it by using What3words ///padlock.thud.solve
A little bit of history on Petworth House
900 years within the same familyToday, Petworth House is a grand 17th-century country manor house; however, for centuries, it was a Medieval home owned by the Percy family and fortified between 1308 and 1309. The original Percy family home was humble in comparison to the house that can be visited today.
Italian-inspired Rotunda
Petworth House has remained a Percy family home for over 900 years, with the land being granted to them as a Royal gift by the widow of Henry I. The powerful Percy family were from the north of England and used Petworth during their visits south.
In the late 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I, suspected that the family had loyalties to Mary, Queen of Scots and banished them to Petworth. This is when Petworth House gradually evolved into the grand mansion you see today.
Base of the Grand Staircase
Petworth’s transformation occurred in the late 1600s when Charles Seymour, the 6th Duke of Somerset, married the heiress of Petworth, Elizabeth Percy. They became one of the wealthiest and influential couples in England. Petworth House was to become an enviable residence compared to the majestic palaces being built throughout Europe.
Although Petworth was to become an imposing 17th-century mansion, evidence of the original medieval manor can still be seen, as the beautiful chapel has survived.
Medieval chapel
The 3rd Earl of Egremont inherited Petworth in 1763. He was a passionate collector of British works of art, particularly those of the artists J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, who were regular guests at Petworth House. This era in Petworth was known as its “Golden Age’.
In 1947, Petworth House was bequeathed to the National Trust by the 3rd Lord Leconfield due to heavy death duties. Later, part of the extensive art collection was also donated to the National Trust. Today, an area of Petworth House remains private as the current Lord and Lady Egremont reside there.
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The Lower Path to Petworth House
Meandering through the Pleasure GardenWhen arriving at Petworth Estate, you have a couple of options as to which route to take to the house. We chose the lower path towards the house and the main path on our return.
Shepherds Hut
It’s certainly worth taking both routes as there’s something different to be found along each winding pathway. We give the beehives a wide berth to let them continue making honey and stroll past the cute little Shepherd’s Hut.
The walk towards Petworth House through the Pleasure Garden is very peaceful, meandering past blooming flower beds with a mixture of full sun and dappled shade.
Giant Redwood, Petworth Park
Also, along the lower path, you’ll undoubtedly spot the remains of a Giant Redwood tree. The Giant Redwood was planted in 1869, but unfortunately, rot was discovered in 2023, posing a significant risk to its surroundings, and it had to be felled. The timber from the tree is being used for a children’s play area.
Fire Engine Shed
Prior to heading into Petworth House, we spot the Fire Engine Shed and the adjoining Garden Temple. The oldest part of the outhouse dates back to the 18th century, and the front is 19th century, when Doric columns were added to make it look less utilitarian and more like a garden house.
Where to stay near Petworth
The Cricketers Arms
The Cricketers Arms – This charming historic inn in nearby Duncton is around 3 miles from Petworth House. This delightful pub offers a delicious breakfast, and in the evening, why not enjoy a tipple in their beer garden? Free onsite parking is available.
Exploring Petworth House
A family through the centuriesWe’re now heading into the imposing Petworth House, home to the National Trust’s most extensive collection of paintings and sculptures.
Petworth House
As I mentioned, Petworth House was rebuilt in the 17th century with an exuberant design and intention to display wealth and importance. The magnificent state rooms throughout are arranged as they were when the 3rd Earl of Egremont lived there, and you can step in the footsteps of Turner and Constable.
The Battle of Waterloo by George Jones
You enter the house through the Oak Hall, a hallway that has been used as a tourist entrance for over 250 years. During the 1700s and 1800s, people would sometimes request a visit when the family were away. Here you’ll see a painting of the Battle of Waterloo.
The Adoration of the Magi by Hieronymus Bosch
The next room we pass through is the Somerset Room, which was used as a servery to warm up food prior to being taken to the dining room. This room is home to some very significant paintings, including one of Petworth’s most famous pieces, The Adoration of the Magi by Hieronymus Bosch.
Macbeth and the Witches by Sir Joshua Reynolds
We’ve now moved into the splendid Square Dining Room, which is full of family portraits covering seven generations. The dining room used by the 6th Duke was on a much larger scale; this room was built around 1795.
The Square Dining Room is also home to a large, imposing painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Macbeth and the Witches, which was unfinished.
The Marble Hall
An Unknown Cardinal, by Titian
We stroll into The Marble Hall, which until the 1870s was the main entrance to Petworth House. Conservation work was carried out on the Marble Hall floor in 2017 to relay tiles which had come loose.
The Marble Hall houses a piece of art by Titian called ‘An Unknown Cardinal’. The painting was initially downgraded to ‘in the manner of Titian’; however, in 2019, it was confirmed to be a genuine portrait by Titian.
If, like us, you enjoy visiting the National Trust gardens around the United Kingdom, then grab yourself a copy of the latest ‘Gardens of the National Trust’.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book, and it won’t be long before you’re planning your next trip.
Petworth Beauties
The Grand StaircaseThe next room we enter is the Beauty Room, and is named after the Petworth ‘Beauties’, a group of ladies who adorn the walls. However, the Beauty Room isn’t looking quite as glorious as it once did, as it is under restoration.
Jane Temple, Countess of Portland
Two hundred years ago, the 3rd Earl of Egremont began to run out of wall space, so, he ordered that six of the eight Petworth ‘Beauties’ be cut down to three-quarter length and lose their feet. Luckily, rather than discard the lower portion, this was attached to the back of the painting.
The National Trust restored two of the paintings in 2019 to their full length and went on display at an exhibition in Tate Britain. Work will continue to restore the remaining portraits
The Grand Staircase
A staircase like no other
We now head towards the Grand Staircase, which is absolutely breath-taking and was created by the 6th Duke of Somerset after the original staircase was destroyed by fire in 1714.
Top of the Grand Staircase
The French painter Louis Laguerre was commissioned by the Duke for £200 to paint the murals all around the entire room, even on the ceiling. The sheer scale of the murals are incredible and they have so much detail and passion in them.
We visited Petworth House on a Wednesday morning when some of the private bedrooms used by Lord and Lady Egremont were open to the public for a few hours. Photos were not allowed in this part of the house.
Map, guides and more
Nymans is located in the lush county of West Sussex. This region of England, along with the South Downs and the Wealden countryside, is perfect for hikes. To explore the delightful circular walks in this region, you’ll want the Ordnance Survey Pathfinder guidebook no. 66.
Alternatively, why not purchase and download the OS Maps App, which covers all of Great Britain.
The Carved Room in Petworth
A touch of eleganceOur next stop is the Carved Room, and this truly is an unexpected pleasure moment. This magnificent room is stunning, and it’s immediately apparent why it’s named the Carved Room. The intricate limewood carvings throughout the room were made by Grinling Gibbons, a Dutch wood carver, who also made carvings for Windsor Castle and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Henry VIII, Holbein’s studio
The Carved Room
The Carved Room was originally half the size of the room it is today, and in the late 1700s, the 3rd Earl doubled its size. The wood carvings now frame many of the pictures in this room, including the huge portrait of Henry VIII from Holbein’s studio.
The Confluence of the Thames and the Medway, JMW Turner
The 3rd Earl of Egremont was a close friend of the painter J.M.W. Turner, and Petworth House alone boasts 20 stunning works of art by Turner. Many can be admired within the Carved Room and the Red Room.
Margate, Kent, JMW Turner
During the late 1600s, when the 6th Duke of Somerset resided at Petworth House, the Red Room showcased 60 magnificent paintings.
From 21st June to 16th November 2025, there is a separate Turner exhibition being held at Petworth House, named ‘Turner’s Vision at Petworth’; there is an additional charge for this event.
Discovering more National Trust gardens
We’ve visited many National Trust sites and explored their beautiful gardens, which are so meticulously kept. A few places that particularly stand out for me are Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Scotney Castle, Chartwell in Kent and Bateman’s in East Sussex.
Visiting the North Gallery
Stepping into the Baroque ChapelWe now enter the North Gallery, and this is undoubtedly a ‘wow’ moment. I just didn’t expect to see such a vast room. It was astonishing, the North Gallery was awash with incredible masterpieces and an unbelievable number of sculptures.
Masterpieces in the North Gallery
The North Gallery
Within the entire collection at Petworth House, there are over 300 paintings, including 20 by Turner, 17 by Van Dyck, 16 by Reynolds, and 3 by Gainsborough, among others.
Ships bearing up for anchorage, Turner
I loved wandering around this gallery; I could have spent hours there admiring the stunning works of art, especially the pieces by JMW Turner and Gainsborough - you’re spoiled for choice. The Percy family’s love of the arts is truly remarkable; it’s no surprise that they had to build this gallery extension to their house.
Landscape with Children and Cattle, Gainsborough
There are over 9,000 treasured items in Petworth House, and the majority are on display for you to admire. The vast collection of items in the North Gallery is displayed in a similar fashion to when the 3rd Earl of Egremont lived at Petworth House, known as Petworth’s ‘Golden Age’.
Molyneux globe
With my love of everything to do with maps and globes, I was instantly drawn to the Molyneux terrestrial globe. This globe is now the only surviving first edition and was made in 1592 by the mathematician Emery Molyneux. With a closer look, you’ll see the stunning engravings.
The globe is now housed in its own glass cabinet for its ongoing protection.
The Chapel in Petworth House
The Baroque chapel
The final room we visit in the main house is the Chapel, one of the oldest sections of Medieval Petworth House, dating back to the 1300s.
The stained-glass windows
Petworth Chapel was altered by the 6th Duke of Somerset in the late 1600s, adding many Baroque inspirations, including carved cherubs. The chapel is beautifully preserved and certainly a change of style compared to the rest of the grand, elegant house.
During our visit to Petworth House, the servants’ quarters and the historic kitchens were closed, which just means we’ll have to return once again to admire this magnificent home.
Escape for a few days
Are you in search of a tranquil hideaway to relax and unwind in, while you discover the beautiful British countryside?
Browse through the handpicked properties and unique retreats at Holiday Cottages.
Strolling in Petworth Park
700-acre Deer ParkWe’re now going to head off through the iron Tijou Gate beside the house for a stroll around the Upper Pond, and along the edge of the 700-acre Deer Park. The circular route is approximately 1½ miles.
It was a pretty hot day at Petworth, so it was going to be a slow amble through the park.
View of Petworth and the Tijou Gate
The Petworth Park and gardens were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the 18th century and are believed to be one of the finest unspoilt English Landscapes in the country. You could imagine dignitaries years ago socialising out on the lawns in their finery.
Geese around the Upper Pond
It’s a lovely walk around the pond; it’s very peaceful, other than the occasional presence of a few families of geese. The route is a mix of sun and shade, so be sure to take some water with you. Also, whilst ambling around the pond, you’ll spot the old stone boat house.
Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any deer at Petworth. However, if you have an urge to visit another deer park, we can highly recommend Knole House; I can almost guarantee you’ll see deer.
Doric Temple at Petworth
As we wend our way back towards the exit, we head a different way back to admire the Pleasure Garden, which the English gardener and landscape architect Capability Brown also designed.
The eye-catching Doric Temple once stood within the Deer Park and was relocated by Capability Brown in the 1750s to the Pleasure Grounds. In 1875, it was relocated once again to its current site and serves as a memorial to Henry Scawen Wyndham, who died at El Alamein during World War II.
Rotunda at Petworth
Our final stop of the day was to Petworth’s Rotunda, which has beautiful far-reaching views across the Sussex countryside. The charming Rotunda was built in 1766 and is modelled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy.
Go on, grab your National Trust membership card, and visit Petworth in West Sussex.
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