The Park, Pleasure Ground and Estate
The majestic 700-acre park is internationally important as one of the finest unspoilt examples of an English landscape park designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. It is also home to the largest and oldest herd of fallow deer in England.
The ancient records of Petworth reveal many centuries of land tenure, even mentioning William, 8th Baron de Percy (1193-1245), in connection with the 'new small park in which is his cunegeria' (rabbit warren).
'Capability' Brown worked at Petworth for the 2nd Earl of Egremont from 1751 to 1764. His greatest achievement was said to be the serpentine lake, created by damming a series of small ponds. The lake is still fed by a mile of 18th-century underground brick culverts which tap the springs at the base of the western hills in the park.
The immensity of this project can be appreciated by standing on the dam and observing the natural valley below that he filled with about 47,000 tons of soil. To retain the water, a further 17,000 tons of clay were laid over the sandy base of the lake. It was one of the largest earthworks of its time in southern England. The magnificent view over this lake, framed by clumps of trees planted either side of the hills behind, was to inspire some of Turner's most idyllic landscapes.
©NTPL / David Sellman
'Capability' Brown's vision
Near the House, Brown swept away the earlier formal layout but retained many of the trees, some of which continue to thrive. The lakes are unaltered and the fallow deer still graze up to the windows of the House as Brown intended. With careful replanting of oaks, sycamores, beeches, limes and horse-chestnuts, his vision of the tree-topped hills and wooded boundaries, giving the impression of a gentle transition from park to more distant countryside, remains today.
The 3rd Earl of Egremont placed several magnificent 17th-century urns throughout the park and built the boat-house. On the edge of the lake he had the Sculptor Carew erect a memorial to his favourite hound, which had drowned there. The sculpture was modelled on an antique known as The Dog of Alcibiades.
The Grand Entrance Lodge and the kennel Lodges were also commissioned by the 2nd Earl from Matthew Brettingham the Elder. Most of the 14-mile park wall also dates from this time.
In the latter part of the 19th-century, the New Lodges' entrance to the Park was built. The 2nd Lord Leconfield in 1872 created the wrought iron screens which flank the west front of the House and the ornate gates which lead to the Park from the private gardens. These are copies of Tijou's work at Hampton Court and incorporate the insignia of the Duke of Somerset who remodelled Petworth House in the late 17th-century.
©NTPL / Rupert Truman
|
