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Petworth
A magnificent 17th-century house displaying one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, nestled in a 700-acre deer park
Petworth House and Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR
Important notice
Please see our ‘Things to know before you visit’ page for information about which rooms are currently open.
Opening times for 11 December 2024
Asset Opening time House 10:30 - 16:30 Deer Park 08:00 - 18:00 Pleasure Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:30 - 16:30 Historic Kitchens 10:30 - 16:30 North Car Park (for Deer Park) 08:00 - 18:00 Main Car Park 10:00 - 17:00 Second-hand Bookshop 10:30 - 16:30 Audit Room Café 10:30 - 16:30 Last admission to House 4pm
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £20.90 £19.00 Child £10.50 £9.50 Family £52.30 £47.50 Family: 1 adult, 3 children £31.40 £28.50 Christmas (30 November - 5 January)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £16.50 £15.00 Child £8.50 £7.50 Family £41.30 £37.50 Family: 1 adult, 3 children £24.80 £22.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop located in the Servants' Quarters
Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads are welcome in the Pleasure Garden and under close control in Petworth Park. Assistance dogs only in Petworth House, Servants' Quarters and Café
Café
Audit Room Café in the Servants’ Quarters, open from 10.30am. Café serves drinks, sweet treats, and lunch options including hot and cold food, such as sandwiches and pasties. Eat in or takeaway option available.
Shop
Explore the shop in the Servants’ Quarters featuring stylish homeware, souvenirs, gardening must-haves, books to browse and locally produced products. Step over to the House shop for art-inspired books. Shops open from 10:30am
Car park
Main Car Park for Petworth House & Garden is on the A283. £4 parking charge (free for members). It is 700 yards from the car park to the house up a steep incline, a mobility buggy is available to transport visitors when needed. The North Car Park for the Deer Park is further north on the A283, signposted 'Petworth Park'. £3 parking charge (free for members)
Toilet
Toilets located in the car park and Servants' Quarters. Accessible toilets available at both points
Ground-floor house, sloping terrain in garden. Accessible toilets in car park and Servants' Quarters. Mobility vehicle from car park.
Accessible route and/or map
Welcome leaflet includes a garden map highlighting the main path, path surfaces, benches, slopes, steps, mobility buggy collection points and toilet locations. House and Servants' Quarters map highlights steps, available ramps, toilets and room locations
Level access to shop
Accessible toilet
Located at main car park and Servants' Quarters
Level access/terrain
Rooms in Petworth House are on the ground floor with level access (steps to bedrooms). Some steps to access rooms in the Servants' Quarters. The Pleasure Garden has some uneven and sloped pathways, accessible map showing surfaces, steps and slopes available from visitor reception
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille house guide and map with tactile images available from House reception
Ramped access/slopes
Ramp to Church Lodge reception available upon request. Petworth House ground floor access
Designated parking
12 bays in main car park for Petworth House and Garden
Seating available
Wooden benches positioned throughout the garden, wooden benches and tables and chairs in courtyard, tables and chairs in Café and second-hand bookshop, and stools in the house
Induction loop
Located across the whole property at all till points
Steps/uneven terrain
Uneven terrain and steps on some pathways in the Pleasure Garden (noted in welcome leaflet map) and across Petworth Park. In the House there are steps to access bedrooms, Chapel and higher view at Grand Stairs. Also to view winter dairy, meat larder and estate offices. Stairs at Audit Room Café (lift available) and Church Lodge reception (ramp available)
Large print (guide or menu)
Large print guide book of house available from House reception
Transfer available
Mobility buggy available from main car park to courtyard outside house reception. Can accommodate wheelchairs
Level access to food outlet
Access is via lift to Audit Room Café upon request
Wheelchairs available
Six wheelchairs available for use across the property
By road
Both the House and Park car parks are located on the A283. From the A272 drive north away from the centre of Petworth town, follow the brown signs 'Petworth House' for Main Car Park or 'Petworth Park' for North Car Park.
Parking: The Main Car Park is on the A283, for access to House, Gardens and Park via Gardens. There is 700 yards from the car park to the house up a steep incline. The North car park for Petworth Park is further north on the A283, signposted 'Petworth Park'. Members, please scan cards on the machines and charges apply to non members in both car parks.
Sat Nav: The nearest postcode to input for the Petworth House main car park is GU28 9LR - follow brown 'Petworth House' signs. What3Words (Main Car Park) - padlock.thud.solve North Car Park postcode is GU28 9LS, follow brown 'Petworth Park' signs. What3Words (North Car Park) - either.umbrellas.singing
On foot
Start in Petworth town centre and then walk up the shallow hill along Lombard Street away from the Co-op and Leconfield Hall towards St Mary's Church. At the end of Lombard Street, facing the church the pedestrian entrance to Petworth House and Garden is across Church Street and on your left. What3Words (church Lodge) - songbird.trailing.poses To access Deer Park only - Facing St. Mary's Church, follow the road to the right, round the side of the church. Enter through gates on the left side of the road into The Cowyard. Walk to the bottom of Cowyard and enter the Cow Tunnel and into the Park. For information on Petworth town visit http://discoverpetworth.uk/
By train
Pulborough 5¼ miles - No. 1 Stagecoach bus service between Worthing and Midhurst passes Pulborough train station.
By bus
No.1 Stagecoach service between Worthing and Midhurst (passes Pulborough train station), No. 99 Compass service from Chichester to Petworth. Alight in Petworth town centre and then walk up the shallow hill along Lombard Street away from the Co-op and Leconfield Hall towards St Mary's Church. At the end of Lombard Street, facing the church the pedestrian entrance to Petworth House and Garden is across Church Street and on your left. To access Deer Park only - Facing St. Mary's Church, follow the road to the right, round the side of the church. Enter through gates on the left side of the road into The Cowyard. Walk to the bottom of Cowyard and enter the Cow Tunnel and into the Park. For information on Petworth town visit http://discoverpetworth.uk/ What3Words (Church Lodge) - songbird.trailing.poses
By bicycle
Cycle parking available at Main Car Park only. Follow brown signs for 'Petworth House' on A283 What3Words (Main Car Park) - padlock.thud.solve
Planning your visit
Article
Christmas at Petworth House
Step into a festive wonderland set in the grand state rooms of Petworth House. Marvel at beautifully decorated trees and garlands, and be sure to look closely as there are some mischievous mice hiding amongst the decorations.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Petworth House and Park
With plenty of space to run, jump and play there's lots to fun for families to have at Petworth.
Article
Visiting Petworth with your dog
Petworth is a two pawprint rated place. Find out about bringing your dog to Petworth to walk through the Deer Park or soak up the peace and beauty of the Pleasure Garden.
Article
Group visits to Petworth House and Park
Find out what you need to know about arranging a group visit to Petworth House and Park, West Sussex.
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Highlights
House and art gallery
17th-century house with one of the finest National Trust art collections, including works by Van Dyck, Turner and Gainsborough.
Pleasure Garden
18th-century ‘Capability’ Brown designed garden. Serpentine paths, formal beds, a woodland walk, Ionic Rotunda and Doric Temple.
Deer Park
Explore the 700-acre park designed by ‘Capability’ Brown with views of the South Downs, fallow deer, woods and two lakes.
Historic kitchens
Mid-18th-century Servants’ Quarters, once home to 40 servants. Steam-powered technology was refitted in the kitchen after an 1872 fire.
Audit Room Café
Café in the Servants’ Quarters serving hot and cold drinks, lunches, cake and afternoon tea. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Shopping
Servants' Quarters shop for gifts, home accessories and locally sourced products. Art shop for books and materials. Plant sales and garden accessories at our visitor car park.
Second-hand bookshop
Located in the Servants' Quarters, in the old Lower Servants Dining Room, the second-hand bookshop offers a wide range of books, including collectible titles.
Spotlight events
A Christmas Spectacular at Petworth House
Explore Petworth House to see showstopping trees, twinkling lights, beautifully adorned garlands and floral displays this Christmas. Discover eight of our historic showrooms dressed for Christmas with playful mice hiding amongst the display. There will be photo opportunities, and a chance to add your wish onto a tree in the Chapel. 30 November - 5 January. No booking required. Normal admission applies.
Choirs in the courtyard
Join us throughout the festive season and enjoy local choirs performing in the courtyard on select weekends and evening events throughout December. No booking required. Normal admission applies. Weekends: Saturday 7 Dec, Sunday 8 Dec, Saturday 14 Dec, Sunday 15 Dec. Evenings: Saturday 7 Dec, Friday 20 Dec.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to know before you visit
From the medieval interiors of the chapel to the rooms of the historic kitchens, find out what you can see on a visit to the house at Petworth.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Petworth House and Park
With plenty of space to run, jump and play there's lots to fun for families to have at Petworth.
Article
The Pleasure Garden at Petworth
Find out what to see in the garden at Petworth House. From the peaceful woodland walk to the impressive Doric Temple, there's much to take in during a stroll.
Article
The Deer Park at Petworth
The ‘Capability’ Brown designed parkland at Petworth House has much to explore. Discover things to do and what to keep an eye out for when you visit.
Top trails
Trail
Petworth ancient trees walk
Discover more about the ancient trees that dominate the skyline of Petworth on this circular walk in Sussex.
Trail
Petworth Park through Turner's eyes
Discover the views that inspired England's greatest landscape painter, JMW Turner, on this stroll around the park at Petworth.
Trail
Capability Brown's Pleasure Gardens walk
A 1-mile (1.6km) circular stroll around Petworth's Pleasure Gardens that takes in the highlights of the naturalistic landscape created by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.
Trail
Capability Brown's parkland walk
Enjoy a 3-mile (4.8km) walk through the 700 acres (2.8sq km) of parkland through a landscape sculpted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, with ancient trees, fallow deer and views over the park to distant hills towards the South Downs.
Eating and shopping
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Eating and shopping at Petworth House and Park
Enjoy food and drink in the historic Audit Room Café. Shop for art inspired gifts, pick up a plant to take home or browse for the perfect pre-loved book.
Places to stay
Emley Farmhouse
A charming country retreat on the edges of the South Downs.
Woodlands Cottage
A former game keeper’s house, this classically-styled cottage is surrounded by woodland.
Upcoming events
Event
A Christmas Spectacular at Petworth House
Step into a festive wonderland set in the grand state rooms of Petworth House. Marvel at beautifully decorated trees and garlands, but be sure to look closely as there are some mischievous mice who have come to play.
Event
Choirs in the Courtyard
Enjoy the sound of festive songs fill the air from choirs in the courtyard on weekends throughout December
Event
Christmas Lates
Experience the magical evening festivities and explore Petworth House after dark.
Event
Little Antlers: Wild Wednesdays
Join us for some hands-on fun! Roll up your sleeves and dive into our crafts and activities, specially designed for our littlest visitors. These activities include make and take crafts, and may take place outdoors, so come prepared!
Event
Little Antlers: Story Time
Join us for a special story time at Petworth Park, designed specifically for toddlers aged 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Learn new stories or enjoy some classics, and afterwards take part in a ‘make and take’ crafting activity based on the book!
Event
Spring Festival 2025
Join us from 5 - 27 April for our annual Spring Festival to celebrate the arrival of a new season with spectacular bulb displays, events and activities.
Event
Introduction to Botanical Drawing
Learn step by step approaches to enable your creativity to flourish in this beginners one day botanical drawing workshop.
Event
Willow Bird Feeder Workshop
Spend a morning weaving a willow bird feeder for your garden on this beginners workshop.
About Petworth
Inspired by Baroque palaces of Europe, the 17th-century Petworth House displays one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust. See the state rooms featuring paintings and sculpture, including artwork by Van Dyck, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough.
Petworth House’s history has been created by one family over 900 years, with the collection highlighting a journey through history including the Gunpowder Plot and Napoleonic Wars. Collection highlights include the earliest English globe in existence, dating to 1592, and carvings by Grinling Gibbons.
The Servants’ Quarters, including the historic kitchens, show a glimpse into the life of the people who worked here.
Outside, the Pleasure Garden features formal borders, woodland walks, and architectural features, such as the Ionic Rotunda. The 700-acre Deer Park, which was transformed in the 1750s and early 1760s by the landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, is home to ancient trees and fallow deer.
History
Article
The history of Petworth House and Park
From Tudor monarchs to Romantic painters, discover the rich history of Petworth House. Follow its journey from medieval home to grand and inspirational house.
Article
The Petworth family tree
Petworth House and Park in West Sussex has been home to just one family for over 900 years. Discover their fascinating stories, from tales of execution to royal favour and epic house renovations.
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JMW Turner at Petworth House and Park
Discover the relationship painter JMW Turner had with Petworth House and Park and explore its legacy.
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The history of Petworth town
Make a day of your visit to Petworth House and Park by visiting the historic market town too. Find out how the town and estate are linked.
PDF
PDF
Petworth House Downloadable Tour
Explore Petworth House room by room and discover the history of the site and some of the collection items on display with this downloadable tour.
Art and collections
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The collections at Petworth House and Park
From famous pieces of art and sculpture to decorative arts and furniture, explore some of the most important collections in the National Trust.
Read a digitised version of Petworth's Chaucer manuscript
This copy of Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous work is one of the most important books in our care. Read the digital version.
Our work
Article
Restoring the Petworth 'Beauties'
Discover how the portraits of two ‘beauties’ are part of an exciting restoration project at Petworth House and Park.
Article
Conserving Kauffman Spotlight Display
Petworth House will be showcasing the extensive 8-month restoration of Angelica Kauffman’s Diomed and Cressida (1788), one of the most significant paintings in its collection. A new, free display reveals the painting in its full glory, documenting its conservation and telling the story of the groundbreaking artist behind it.
Support us
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Volunteering opportunities at Petworth House and Park
Find out about volunteering at Petworth House and Park. With opportunities inside and outdoors, there’s a range of roles available helping to care for this special place.