Capability Brown's parkland walk
Enjoy a 3-mile (4.8km) walk through the 700 acres (2.8sq km) of parkland sculpted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, with breathtaking views over the park to distant hills towards the South Downs.
Near to
PetworthStart point
Petworth Park, North car park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9LS. Grid ref: SU966239.Trail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Petworth Park, North car park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9LS. Grid ref: SU966239.
Stage 1
From the car park, take the track leading to the west (with the wall on your right) to the view at the top of the hill.
Stage 2
Continue along the grassy track, keeping the wall on your right side, until you see a little cottage called Shepherds Lodge.
Spot the fallow deer in Petworth Park | © National Trust/Christina Beckett Stage 3
Take the grassy track that rises up to Monument Hill. Continue climbing the hill until you reach a path on the left with a bench in view. Stop for a breather and take in the highest views of the park at 410ft (125m) above sea level.
Stage 4
Follow the path that contours around a bowl, giving extensive views over the park, and then descend the steep hill back to the stone road and turn right walking towards the House.
Stage 5
Once you reach the top of the hill, cross onto the grassy path to take you towards the boathouse. Walk down the hill, turn left at the crossroads in the path. Follow the grass track around the railings enclosing the Upper Pond and take the track leading to the top of the hill.
The parkland and Upper Pond near Petworth House | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler Stage 6
From here there are excellent views over the parkland to the surrounding countryside, looking north towards Black Down and south to the downs. Proceed down the track towards the Lower Pond to return to the car park.
Enjoy far-reaching views beyond the Park | © National Trust/Bryony Young Stage 7
As you reach the Lower Pond, walk around the pond and along the track towards the car park to finish your walk.
End point
Petworth Park, North car park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9LS. Grid ref: SU966239.
Trail map
Map of Capability Brown's parkland walk, Petworth Park | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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