Heritage and history
The market town of Petworth originally developed around the needs of the great Petworth House and beyond our borders there are even more historical properties and attractions to visit.
Petworth House – fine art, baroque architecture and a 700-acre deer park
Petworth House, now in the care of the National Trust was once a simple Manor House in the Tudor era but was reimagined in a baroque style inspired by the palace of Versailles by Charles Seymour the 6th Duke of Somerset.
As well as the house itself, which is one to the ‘finest art collection in the care of the National Trust’, the property also has a grand park designed by Capability Brown.
The house was gifted to the National Trust in 1947 and now visitors can walk the grounds and enter the house to see the incredible art collection which includes Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Blake and landscapes by Turner.
Historical and heritage attractions near Petworth
Ruins of Tudor manor at Cowdray Park
On the Cowdray Estate you can find the ruins of a fortified manor house, dating back to the Tudor period.
A fire destroyed part of the house in the late 1700s and the house fell into disrepair. Eventually the first Viscount Cowdray took ownership of the property and preserved the ruins in the state that we find them today.
Uppark House, the biggest renovation in National Trust History
Uppark House and Estate dates back to the 1400s. It is a beautiful house with a fascinating history but is perhaps best known for the fire in 1989 which threatened the future of the house. The house was thoughtfully and respectfully restored by the National Trust which involved relearning long forgotten trades and crafts and there are even details in the house to show where old meets new.
Immerse yourself in British history at Weald and Downland Living Museum
A short drive outside of Petworth you will find the incredible Weald and Downland Living Museum. This living museum allows visitors to discover historic homes, farms and public buildings as well as learning and participating in traditional crafts, cooking and domestic tasks. Weald and Downland Living Museum is a great day out for all the family.
Gothic style with Medieval features at Arundel Castle
A visit to Arundel Castle promises to inspire! There are medieval features including the Norman Keep as well as magnificent architecture from the 1800s.
History of Petworth Town
The town has a long history and was even mentioned in the Domesday book. There are many historic buildings in the town including some of the Petworth Places businesses. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the town, we recommend the 360 virtual tour provided by the National Trust.
The respect and enthusiasm for heritage is very much alive in Petworth today. We have a thriving antiques community and an active historic society who take pride in sharing the stories of our market town.
