Petworth

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A stately mansion nestled in the South Downs housing the finest art collection in the care of the National Trust.

More about this place

The Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition

Submit your photo for the Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition 

Take a photograph that captures what Petworth means to you and following a judging process the best images will be displayed for the Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition from 28 October to 3 December

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Petworth

Things to see and do

The house and upper pond at Petworth in West Sussex

An introduction to Petworth 

Home to an extraordinary collection of art, this magnificent 17th-century mansion stands as a monument to the evolving taste of one family over 900 years.

Enjoy breathtaking views towards the South Downs

Walks at Petworth 

With 700 acres to explore, there are endless opportunities for walking at Petworth this summer. Download one of our trails and try out the Park Explorer to get the most out of your stroll.

Volunteer giving talk in the Square Dining Room

Talks and tours at Petworth 

Learn more about how the history of Petworth has been shaped over time with our weekly programme of talks and tours running every weekday from 18 March.

Seasonal highlights

Temple with close up of buttercups

Summer in the Pleasure Ground 

Enjoy the longer days of summer with refreshing bright colours blooming in the Pleasure Grounds. Discover swathes of buttercups and plenty of warm colours in the garden borders.

The Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition

Submit your photo for the Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition 

Take a photograph that captures what Petworth means to you and following a judging process the best images will be displayed for the Mixed Emotions Photographic Exhibition from 28 October to 3 December

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Petworth

What's on

Children playing games at Petworth House and Park
Petworth   West Sussex

Seven fun things for families this summer

We have lots in store for families this summer at Petworth from indoor activities, outdoors trails, craft making, summer games and even things for our littlest of visitors. Here's a list of seven fun things to try this summer holiday.

Read the list

Upcoming events

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As you like it! A Shakespearean Family Trail

Wed 28 Jun 2017
11:00-16:30
Collect a scroll and become an apprentice playwright. Name your characters and decide their fate as you explore the Mansion. Will all your characters make it to the end of the play... you decide!

Royals, Rebels and Romance Tours

Wed 28 Jun 2017
11:30-14:30
Join a free 45 minute guided tour and discover intriguing stories behind selected royal portraits from Petworth's extraordinary art collection

Behind the Scenes Tours

Thu 29 Jun 2017
11:00-15:00
Discover some of Petworth's hidden gems with one of our knowledgeable guides on a 'behind the scenes tour'. Tours may include the bedrooms, ice house and estate offices.

Snapshots in Time

Sat 22 Jul 2017
10:00-17:00
Join the 'Proud' Duke on this fun family trail as you journey back through time to discover stories from his lost garden. Share your feelings using emojis old and new.

Costume Encounters

Sat 29 Jul 2017
11:00-16:00
Hear what life was like below stairs in the early 1800s as our costume interpreters bring the Servants' Quarters to life.

Music in the Mansion

Sun 06 Aug 2017
13:00-16:00
Enjoy live Baroque guitar music performed by Mitch Callow in the Mansion.
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Petworth

Eating and shopping

A selection of snacks, meals and drinks available in the Audit Room café

The Audit Room Café 

During a visit to Petworth stop by the Audit Room café and enjoy a meal in the historic surroundings of the Servants' Quarters.

The Servants' Quarters gift shop at Petworth

Shopping 

Take inspiration from Petworth's unique art collection and landscape deer park and find the perfect mementoes and gifts to take home in our two gift shops.

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Petworth

Our work

Conservation cleaning at Petworth

A day in the life of a conservation assistant at Petworth 

Discover the daily tasks that are involved in maintaing the most important art collection in the care of the National Trust over the winter through the eyes of a conservation assistant and how it differs from those of a housemaid from the 1800s how worked at Petworth.

JMW Turner, Petworth, Sussex, the Seat of the Earl of Egremont: Dewy Morning, 1810

Bringing the view that inspired JMW Turner's 'Dewy Morning' back to life 

Read all about the conservation work we are carrying out in the park in partnership with Natural England to restore the view that inspired JMW Turner's 'Dewy Morning' and encourage new birdlife.

Macbeth and the Witches (from William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth') (unfinished) by Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792)

The Reynolds 'Macbeth and the Witches' painting restored 

Discover the colossal conservation work that we undertake at Petworth and watch this time lapse video of the restoration of the gigantic Reynolds masterpiece 'Macbeth and the Witches'.

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Petworth

History

These are just some of our must see items

The Brussels Picture Gallery by David Teniers the younger

Eight paintings not to miss at Petworth 

Take a look at eight important paintings we have highlighted for you to look out for on your visit. These are just some of the extraordinary works on display.

The top painting above the fireplace is of The 3rd Earl of Egremont by Thomas Phillips, RA (1770-1845) hung in the central corridor in The North Gallery at Petworth House, West Sussex

The four great collectors at Petworth 

Learn more about the great collectors at Petworth who amassed the finest art collection in the care of the National Trust.

A French black Boulle sarcophagus-shaped commode

Eight objects to look out for on your visit 

Petworth is more than just a gallery of paintings and is also home to a vast collection of sculpture, furniture and extraordinary objects. Take a look at our top picks that are not to be missed.

Important figures in history

The Apotheosis of Princess Charlotte Augusta, Princess of Wales by Henry Howard, 1818

Celebrating the life of Princess Charlotte 

This year marks 200 years since the tragic death of Britain's beloved heir Princess Charlotte Augusta. A handful of paintings capturing pivotal moments of her life and death are on display in the North Gallery at Petworth. See these paintings for yourself and discover how you can commemorate the life of Princess Charlotte at Claremont Landscape Garden, her cherished home.

Henry Fuesli's Macbeth, Banquo and the Witches, 1793-4

Shakespeare at Petworth  

Celebrate one of the world’s greatest playwrights at Petworth. The extraordinary art collection, the finest in the National Trust’s care, contains several examples of artists interpreting Shakespeare’s works.

View of Petworth, West Sussex, seen over the lake, part of the Capability Brown landscaped parkland.
Petworth   West Sussex

A snapshot history of Petworth

Find out more about the history of Petworth from the family tree to the history of the building and even the story about the transformation of the formal garden to parkland.

Find out more
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Petworth

Groups

Grand Staircase at Petworth

Group visits at Petworth 

Visit Petworth with your group and explore a 17th century mansion and deer park designed by Capability Brown.

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Petworth

Get involved

Volunteers welcoming visitors at Petworth House

Join in at Petworth 

Looking for a new you in the New Year? You can support the National Trust, meet plenty of new people, learn new skills as well as gain and share valuable experience if you become a volunteer with us.

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Petworth

Learning

Children enjoying a Victorian workshop

Find out about our workshops 

At Petworth we currently have five workshops exploring different aspects of the curriculum. Learn more about using the setting of Petworth as a classroom.

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