Petworth, Sussex travel guide and Petworth information

Visit Petworth

Petworth is a small town to the east of Midhurst and west of Pilborough, in West Sussex. It falls within the South Downs National Park.

The town is a pleasure to explore with many quaint medieval buildings and streets to explore. Start your visit in Market Square then head along the cobbled road called Lombard Street, lined with attractive houses, to the area around Saint Mary's Church.

Next contine (slightly back on yourself to the right) along East Street and Middle Street before turning right along High Street to return to the Market Square. There are several buildings of note and interest along the route, mostly dating from the 18th-19th centuries, so be sure to allow time to appreciate the architectural details.

Petworth cottage museum

One interesting place in Petworth is the small Petworth Cottage Museum, a traditional workers cottage in the High Street that has been carefully restored as it was in 1910 when it was home to a local seamstress. Apart from the interior of the house, with its workshop, scullery, living room etc there is also a traditional 'turn of the century' cottage garden.

Petworth House

The town is best known as being home to the Petworth House estate and Petworth Park, the grounds surrounding the estate, that stands on the edge of the town.

Dating from the late 17th century, Petworth House is an impressive stately home now managed by the National Trust that is best known for its association with the 19th century romantic artist JMW Turner who often visited and painted in the surrounding grounds - almost 20 of Turner's paintings are held in the house.

Other artists works on display include some by Van Dyck (the Flemish 17th century painter) and other well known artists, along with carvings by Grinling Gibbons (17th century sculptor well known for his works for Saint Paul's Cathedral and Blenheim Palace) and an impressive furniture collection, along with a renowned work from Ancient Greece in the 4th century BC - the bust of the Leconfield Aphrodite.

Immortalised by Turner the gardens and parkland around Petworth House were laid out by the 18th century landscape architect Capability Brown in his well known 'informal-formal' style, are very extensive, and provide the perfect scenic backdrp to the house.

You can find more local travel ideas in the South Downs guide and the