The historic market town of Petworth dates back to at least the Domesday Book. With cobbled and narrow streets lined with beautiful architecture, Petworth is overlooked by the imposing figure of Petworth House and the magnificent and ever regal South Downs. Not far from Chichester and Midhurst, it makes a great stop-off point or a final destination for the Sussex explorer. And here are 10 reasons to jump in your car and head to this little corner of West Sussex.
Things to Do In Petworth
Set aside at least a day and better still, two days to really get the most out of your visit.
1. Explore the town and shops
There is no better way to start getting a feel for a town, than by having a good mooch around. And there is plenty of mooching to be had in Petworth. Whether you’re looking for independent shops and boutiques, antiques and quirky finds, great food and drink or a bit of history, there is plenty to get your teeth into.
Have a walk around the cobbled streets, visit the two dominant churches (St Mary’s at the top of Lombard Street) and the Sacred Heart off Angel Street. Both have an interesting history. Pop into the The Angel Inn for coffee or lunch and ask ghosts, pilgrim fathers and Winston Churchill. Better still, book yourself on to a walking tour so that you can learn about Leconfield Hall, Egremont Row and Percy Terrace. And don’t miss Petworth Antiques Market where a world of curiosities await.
2. Petworth Museum
Petworth has its own small but perfectly formed cottage museum open from April to October. It’s the home of a former Leconfield estate-worker, Mrs Cummings, a seamstress at Petworth House. It’s furnished as it would have been in 1910 and is just up the road from The Hungry Guest.
3. Local walks
Whether you want short local walks in and around the town, or longer hikes, there is plenty to choose from. The Shimmings Valley walk is 4.5 km and takes you via Gog and Magog Hill and Petworth Park (see below) is perfect for long or short walks. Alternatively, you could use Petworth as a base while you walk some of the Serpent Trail or the epic (and new) Petworth Way.
If you are visiting in May, look out for two guided walks:
Wednesday 14th May, 10.30am: In the Footsteps of Artistic Giants. Duration:1 hour 30 mins Distance: 2 miles.
800 years old Tillington Church is the only church in the country that both artistic giants – JMW Turner & John Constable – painted. This walk will trace the exact location where these two artistic giants painted the church from.
Saturday May 17th, 10.30am: Shimmings Valley. Time: 1 .75 hours. Distance: 3 miles.
See “Little Switzerland”, as the locals call the beautiful Shimmings Valley (east side of Petworth). A lovely but quite strenuous walk.
There is also an Ancient Trees Guided Tour in the Park at various times though the summer and the Deer Rutting walk in the last two weeks of October.
Contact Gerald Gresham Cooke on Geraldgreshamcooke@gmail.com or 07748 597 568 for full details. Dogs welcome.
4. Wine
Wine strikes me as a good a reason as any to visit a town and Petworth won’t disappoint. There are two vineyards almost immediately to the west of the town, namely Upperton Vineyards and the Roebuck Estates, with others within easy reach. Upperton has a shop and terrace bar and Roebuck offer a variety of experiences from tours and tasting to eating in the vines. If you don’t have time to go to the vineyards themselves, fear not, because there is also an excellent wine merchant in Golden Square, Hennings.
5. Foodie haunts
Petworth has become well known recently for its delicatessen and butcher, The Hungry Guest. Stop in there to stock up on supplies. Their cheese room has an excellent supply of Sussex cheeses and they have their own range of condiments, jams and preserves. Try their bread too or just opt for a sweet treat. I defy you to leave empty handed.
There are plenty of interesting places to eat in Petworth from cafés and foodie pubs to E.Street Bar & Grill which got a mention in the 2024 Michelin Guide.
Don’t head home until you have visited the Petworth Farmers Market held in the Market Square on the 4th Saturday of every month.
6. Art and exhibitions
Newlands Gallery is a modern and contemporary art gallery that hosts an ongoing programme of fantastic exhibitions in their 18th century townhouse. This year this includes an Andy Warhol exhibition. In May, the Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair unfolds and is a unique opportunity to see over 60 exhibitors of fine art and antiques and some rare, unique and incredible items – all in the stunning grounds of Petworth House.
7. Petworth House
You can’t visit Petworth and not visit National Trust property Petworth House. It is a magnificent 17th century stately home set in its own grounds and a 700-acre deer park.
You can wander through the State Rooms, stare in awe at the Grand Staircase and view the impressive art collection that includes work by the likes of Turner, Gainsborough, Blake and Van Dyck. You can also visit the Servants’ Quarters and kitchen.
8. Petworth Park
The 700-acre Deer Park was designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and is home to a herd of fallow deer that have descended from the 16th century and the time of Henry VIII. It is also home to a number ancient and veteran trees, some of which are nearly 1,000 years old, a lake and various sculptures and follies. There is a Pleasure Garden too where you’ll find a Rotunda and the Doric Temple.
9. Fetes, festivals and fairs
Petworth claims to hold the oldest street fair in the south of England. It takes place in front of Leconfield Hall and is held on the 20 November, the Feast of St Edmund the King. It allegedly dates back to 1273, or even earlier. For summer frolics, Petworth Festival is a music and arts extravaganza. Then there’s the Petworth Festival Literary Week which normally takes place in October and welcomes a host of writers, directors, and presenters and the Petworth Sessions are now hosting a year-round Petworth Fringe!
10. Visit the Makers’ Barn
A short drive from the town you will find the Makers’ Barn, home the work of over 40 rural craftspeople
A thoroughly pleasant perambulation
You don’t always need a specific reason to visit somewhere. But if you fancy cobbled streets, interesting architecture, a pub lunch, some independent boutiques, a dash of history, and a drive through the beautiful Sussex countryside then Petworth should go on your list!
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