The state rooms of Petworth House

Inspired by the Baroque Palaces of Europe, Petworth House was rebuilt in the 17th-century with grand state rooms in order to display the family's wealth, taste and royal connections. These rooms were never intended for everyday living so inside you'll find few domestic furniture arrangements. Displayed as they were when the 3rd Earl of Egremont lived at Petworth House, see the state rooms just as visiting artists like JMW Turner did.
What rooms are open?
Thursday 21 April – Sunday 30 October
Rooms open to view: Oak Hall, Somerset Room, Square Dining Room, Marble Hall, Beauty Room, Grand Staircase, Little Dining Room, Carved Room, Red Room, North Gallery and Chapel.
Please note the Historic Kitchens will be closed on Wed 1 (morning) Fri 3 and Sat 4 June.
Visiting the White and Gold Room & the White Library
From Monday 9 May, the above rooms will be open to visit on Mondays only (not including Bank Holidays) from 1:45pm – 4:30pm. The last day of opening for 2022 is Monday 24 October.
Seeing the bedrooms
From Tuesday 3 May, the private guest bedrooms at Petworth House will be open to view on Tuesdays only from 10.30am – 1:45pm. The last day of opening for 2022 is Tuesday 25 October.
About the rooms in Petworth House
The Oak Hall
Since at least 1743 this has been the guest entrance to the mansion, and in 1764 this room was called the 'Picture Stair Case' as 34 pictures were hung here.
The Somerset Room
This room is named after the 'Proud' 6th Duke of Somerset (1662-1748) who bought several of the paintings that hung here. Originally this room would have formed part of the Duke's much larger Servants' Hall but in 1795 The 3rd Earl of Egremont split the room into the now named Somerset Room and the Square Dining Room.
The Square Dining Room is also home to a large group of Van Dyck portraits acquired by the 10th Earl of Northumberland (1602-1668). Of importance is the protrait of the 10th Earl's father, the Wizard Earl who was imprisoned in the Tower of London for sixteen years.
Now you can enjoy its wonderful view across the Park redesigned by Capability Brown in the 18th century.

Carving a legacy Grinling Gibbons at Petworth House
2021 marks the start of a year-long celebration of Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721), the most famous artist-carver in British history. Discover more about his exquisite work in the Carved Room at Petworth House.
The Red Room
Red has always been a popular colour on which to hang Old Master pictures. This scheme was devised by the 3rd Earl in 1806 and restored in 2002 by the team at Petworth, who also reinstated the picture hang according to a watercolour by Turner.
The Chapel
The chapel is the best preserved interior from the medival Petworth. The 6th Duke of Somerset then went on to transform it with a grand Baroque flourish including the carved curtain and carved cherubs' heads.
