Petworth, National Trust

New for this year we are running guided walks of the Park on a variety of interesting topics. Thursday 16 May we have one all about the archaeology of the Deer Park. Hear about the Tudor hunting lodge, Second World War remnants as well as some of our archaeological finds. It's a 2 hour walk so we recommend sensible shoes and bottled water. Book here: http://bit.ly/ArchaeologyWalk

The azaleas are looking lovely and smelling delightful. Make sure you look out for them this weekend!

The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited is open! Come on down, enjoy the sunshine and take a look at the House and Fair. It's running all weekend.

Not long now! The fair is free with a National Trust ticket or membership. Once you've had an explore around the house, see what treasures await in the Antiques and Fine Art Fair.

Let the fun at be'gin'! The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited opens this Friday in the Deer Park.

Well that Bank Holiday went far to quickly! Antiques and Fine Art Fair in the Park this weekend? Don't mind if we do! Whoever said you can have too much of a good thing clearly never came to Petworth.

'Snowdrops?! In May?!' I hear you say? Au contraire Facebook friends, here we have the Halesia, or snowdrop tree. Native to eastern Asia and eastern North America, these fragile bells don't last long - see them while you can!

If the Handkerchief tree, or Dove tree, isn't on your agenda this weekend then it should be! Native to China, the story goes that the beautiful Zhaojun Wang married the king of a distant tribe. Missing her family, Zhaojun sent a letter home attached to a dove. It flew for a thousand miles, finally landing and dying on a dove tree branch outside her family’s home. The Dove tree (Davidia involucrata) was renamed to honour the dedicated messenger. So sweet, I'm lucky if I get a text!

Bank Holidays and National Trust visits, it's a combo up there with gin and tonic, strawberries and cream, and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood (sorry Prue). Pats on the back all around, we've made it to another Bank Holiday weekend. Where are you visiting?

Launching this Saturday, try the new Wings and Whiskers trail. Perfect for children to get to grips with the art in the house - look for some of the animals captured in the masterpieces and piece together some of our history. It's free to pick up and lasts all year, here are just some of the illustrations that come with the trail.

There are two days left to apply for the Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at Petworth House and Park, and Woolbeding Gardens. With an eye for a story, knowledge of print and digital and the skills to foster media relations, help us achieve our business objectives and connect people with the work of the National Trust. http://bit.ly/PetworthMarketingCommunicat ions

We're rounding off the weekend with another day of Costumed Encounters. Take a costumed tour of the Historic Estate Office, find out about posy making and learn the all important Georgian art of tea making.

There's two more days to see some of the private rooms of Petworth House. Here we've got the Stone Hall which the family use as their main entrance. Funnily enough it was used as the entrance for visitors when Petworth first opened to visitors in the 50s but that was when we only opened once in a blue moon and it cost 2 shillings and a sixth pence! Bargain!

There's just two weeks to go before the Antiques and Fine Art Fair returns to Petworth Park. With good weather and these delightful and decadent pieces on the way, there's no excuse!

We still can't get enough of the bluebells! Our secret tip is to follow the path behind the Ionic Rotunda, it's not the flattest route but there's a gem of a bluebell bank! It's against the law to pick them (no really!) so look but don't touch on your visit or we'll be sending out the NT bluebell brigade: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/…/6-th ings-you-might-not-k…

Happy Birthday to the Bard! Scenes from Shakespeare's works feature prominently in the art here but none are so infamous as J. M. W. Turner's Jessica from The Merchant of Venice. When the piece was exhibited in 1830 it was heavily criticised with a biographer writing 'none but a great man dare have painted anything so bad.’ I think we know that Turner, or the Bard for that matter, would have had response...

Thank you for all your visits this weekend, nothing beats a Bank Holiday Monday. You know what else can't be beaten? Bluebells! Half of the world's bluebells are found in the UK and we have a special treasure trove of them here in our woodland walk. They take years to recover from footfall so please stick to the paths or no more scones for you! 👮‍♀️

Tomorrow is the first day of Unlocking Petworth! We'll be opening up private rooms from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 April for you all to have a peek inside. Here's a picture of the Cambridge Bedroom. Now, we got special permission from the family to use this photo. These rooms are still in use so we're politely asking no pictures please! Can you imagine a stranger having pictures of your bedroom on their phone?!

Now on sale, pick up some last minute Easter goodies from a Rocky Road Easter Egg to a white chocolate bunny.

lovely house to visit with a fantastic art collection, beautiful grounds with loads of sweet chestnut trees a sign that Christmas is nearly here

Very enjoyable afternoon. Not enough time to walk around park as well, but will return for that. Well worth having membership.

The long walk from car park to House is well worth it as the gardens and trees are just beautiful and, the House has wonderful art and staff to tell you all about it all. Thank you �

The best day, all staff very friendly and knowledgeable. The art is amazing and each room has red folders telling you all about the paintings, furniture, sculptures, etc. Gives you a real feel of the history. Lots of thought has also been put into keeping children amused and engaged. Can't recommend enough.

Second year in a row I attended wizards and witches academy at Petworth and it was amazing. Was afraid they might do the same again as last year but the kids all had completely different craft activities to do. The whole session was fab and all 3 kids we brought loved it. All the kids and volunteers being dressed up was lovely as well. The volunteers were friendly and welcoming and gave the kids great experience!! Thanks again!!!

Really loved our visit to Petworth. Beautiful grounds which are well kept and amazing house with friendly volunteers. So much to see. Coffee shop was great and housed in the audit rooms and reasonably priced too. The guide book needs to include much more information on the house's history but speaking to the staff, it seems the guide book will be updated soon. Thank you National Trust..... We are loving our NT membership. �

Popped over to Petworth House for a couple of hours today.

Coffee was lovely, getting quite a taste for a strong coffee when out, even better when it is your ‘free’ drink on the loyalty card.



As ever the staff and volunteers were lovely and I have come away with more knowledge than when I arrived.



Still think my favourite bit is the painting of Pandora and the gods



There were a couple of ‘things’ we wondered about

First one being what is the plural for Phoenix and apparently it is phoenixes... which feels weird but there you go



The second thing concerns Dionysos and his wife Ariadne they have a double faced head statue of these two and I am sure there is Allende. Just off to look it up



Hmm seems she helped Theseus slay the Minotaur and gave him a thread to unravel as he travelled into the labyrinth. Theseus then abanded her and she married Dionysos.



I thought there was something along the lines of her waiting for Theseus to return but I have got my mythology muddled.



Sorry this is going to be a ramble...



Petworth is linked to the Gunpowder plot as the 9th duke was related to one of the plotters and he went for a meal the night before it all kicked off and was therefore guilty by association, or mis-treason. The authorities could not prove anything so he had a choice, pay a ransom or spend time in the Tower of London. He had a stay in the tower and being rich he rented a suite of rooms and even had a horse stabled in the yard. 16 years later he went home but they don’t know on what grounds. While he was there he rad widely and palled up with sir Walter Raleigh who it is claimed gave the duke his globe shortly before being executed.



The other duke who caught my eye today was the 6th Duke, nicknamed the proud duke. He married Lady Elizabeth... he was her third husband by the age of 30

Hubby number 1 died shortly after their wedding when she was 12. She was made a ward of grandma who had a gambling habit and spent her inheritance so hubby number 2 bought Elizabeth in return for settling grandma’s debts. On learning that she would have to live with hubby number 2, Lady Elizabeth went shopping in London ... hopped out of her carriage in the front door, through the building out the back door and into another carriage and hot foot to Denmark. Kindly Baron took her in, hubby no 2 conveniently assassinated in Hyde Park, so once again a widow and well to do before marrying Charles who got her titles, her money and Petworth which he set about ‘doing up’ from a Manor House to what is still there today.



Sorry to have gone on, but I had a blast and wanted to share.

If you are members and not been yet do go and if you are thinking of joining... do it �

Park in the park car park and take the wonderful walk to the house. Past deer and lake before entering the house to find an array of stunning art including many Turner pieces. Always time for coffee and cake!!

Surprised that they don't have recycling bins.

My dream is that when I go back to England i'll visit your magnificent house and gardens and enjoy your stunning art collection. Wishing you the very best !

I visited Petworth house yesterday at about 4pm. The national trust guides working in the house were beyond brilliant! They immediately welcomed us into every room and were enthusiastic and excited to talk to us about the features and the art works. They were really the best guides I have ever come across in any stately homes and I visit often. They really deserve a big piece of cake! We had such a great time.

Great mansion, beautiful garden. Lots of walking to be done and definitely a good family day out. Lots for children to do, well worth several visits

Excellent winter tour lasting about an hour. Beautiful colours in the Gardens. Lovely town to explore. Popped into St Mary's Parish Church- full of interest.

Spent 5 hours in Petworth and will be back to see more. About my 6th visit.

Beautiful property and collection! The guided tour was highly enjoyable and informative! We will be back to visit the whole property as parts were closed for winter.



The art collection is to dream for!! �



The restaurant's ambience was great and food ok. I was a highly disappointed by the veggie moussaka: £7.50 for that? � zero value for money!

Petworth is an extraordinary place. A monstrous, not very attractive stately home with a fascinating history, the most amazing collection of art and an important place in the development of British painting - notably, Turner. The park is impressive, but, even though designed by Capability Brown, it feels curiously unfinished. The lack of any formal gardens on the west (i.e. 'Front') side feels wrong.



We came for the Turner and the Art of Watercolour exhibition, which was small but fascinating. However, £12 for admission to a one-room exhibition was over-priced: £8 would have been fair.



As is often the case, the cafeteria served bready unimaginative food - not a salad leaf in sight! National Trust catering is stuck in a rut and needs an injection of flair and vision.

I always enjoy my visit to Petworth, I usually head for a walk in the park, a suggestion could we have a parking space in the main car park for those of us needing the toilet say a 15 minute time limit (we don't all have someone else in the car). I used to use the entrance from the main car park into the park but this is now closed. The house is not a favourite as I am not keen on the art. I like the kitchens.

Fantastic tour in the main house by Ian ( the first tour guide to make me feel that I was being spoken to and not lectured at!) and the gentleman on the reception desk (main house) was a delight, so friendly and helpful.



However I was disappointed by the Turner exhibition. In the main exhibition I thought the pictures were too cramped (particularly the corners of the room) which did not permit a decent chance to study the pictures in detail. Also the labelling was a tad confusing in places. Please space them out more in the future.



The whole exhibition was saved by the additional 2 rooms which were fantastic. I notice that a previous reviewer claims that you could have gone to these anyway as part of the house price - this was so obviously not the case!



Will definitely visit again to have the chance to explore the grounds and see the rooms on the tour when they are fully open.

Today we visited and felt we needed to write. On arrival we were met by a sales lady whose aggressive sales pitch to sell the national trust card even after we both declined was verging on harassment, fine you have a job, but what was totally unacceptable was when asking for two adult tickets she asked for £15 each, she did not highlight the options ie £13.50 standard or £15 IF we wished to gift add. Had I not read the board by the entrance I would have not know there was a cost option and paid that £15, so how many people today has this woman coned into paying for the more expensive ticket, does she get a bonus for this, to me what she did was dishonest so if you go to petworth house be aware there is a dishonest woman who will charge you £15 without explaining the option of the standard cheaper tickets. Shame on petworth house for allowing this to happen.

The staff on the day were really rude. We didn't get given an option to gift aid or not it was just assumed that we would. The staff were rude when they told the person I was with to take off their bag without a please, just an unpleasant look like it was common sense to take your bag off inside the house itself.



The only saving grace is that the place has deer who were more pleasant than the people I was giving money too.



Shame really and I won't be recommending this place.

Fantastic art collection. However very poorly displayed. Some pictures could not be viewed.

However the worst thing was the lighting which is appalling. I was told the the lighting fir the Turner's had been updated. However they are still very poorly lit.

lovely house to visit with a fantastic art collection, beautiful grounds with loads of sweet chestnut trees a sign that Christmas is nearly here

Very enjoyable afternoon. Not enough time to walk around park as well, but will return for that. Well worth having membership.

The long walk from car park to House is well worth it as the gardens and trees are just beautiful and, the House has wonderful art and staff to tell you all about it all. Thank you �

The best day, all staff very friendly and knowledgeable. The art is amazing and each room has red folders telling you all about the paintings, furniture, sculptures, etc. Gives you a real feel of the history. Lots of thought has also been put into keeping children amused and engaged. Can't recommend enough.

Second year in a row I attended wizards and witches academy at Petworth and it was amazing. Was afraid they might do the same again as last year but the kids all had completely different craft activities to do. The whole session was fab and all 3 kids we brought loved it. All the kids and volunteers being dressed up was lovely as well. The volunteers were friendly and welcoming and gave the kids great experience!! Thanks again!!!

Really loved our visit to Petworth. Beautiful grounds which are well kept and amazing house with friendly volunteers. So much to see. Coffee shop was great and housed in the audit rooms and reasonably priced too. The guide book needs to include much more information on the house's history but speaking to the staff, it seems the guide book will be updated soon. Thank you National Trust..... We are loving our NT membership. �

Popped over to Petworth House for a couple of hours today.

Coffee was lovely, getting quite a taste for a strong coffee when out, even better when it is your ‘free’ drink on the loyalty card.



As ever the staff and volunteers were lovely and I have come away with more knowledge than when I arrived.



Still think my favourite bit is the painting of Pandora and the gods



There were a couple of ‘things’ we wondered about

First one being what is the plural for Phoenix and apparently it is phoenixes... which feels weird but there you go



The second thing concerns Dionysos and his wife Ariadne they have a double faced head statue of these two and I am sure there is Allende. Just off to look it up



Hmm seems she helped Theseus slay the Minotaur and gave him a thread to unravel as he travelled into the labyrinth. Theseus then abanded her and she married Dionysos.



I thought there was something along the lines of her waiting for Theseus to return but I have got my mythology muddled.



Sorry this is going to be a ramble...



Petworth is linked to the Gunpowder plot as the 9th duke was related to one of the plotters and he went for a meal the night before it all kicked off and was therefore guilty by association, or mis-treason. The authorities could not prove anything so he had a choice, pay a ransom or spend time in the Tower of London. He had a stay in the tower and being rich he rented a suite of rooms and even had a horse stabled in the yard. 16 years later he went home but they don’t know on what grounds. While he was there he rad widely and palled up with sir Walter Raleigh who it is claimed gave the duke his globe shortly before being executed.



The other duke who caught my eye today was the 6th Duke, nicknamed the proud duke. He married Lady Elizabeth... he was her third husband by the age of 30

Hubby number 1 died shortly after their wedding when she was 12. She was made a ward of grandma who had a gambling habit and spent her inheritance so hubby number 2 bought Elizabeth in return for settling grandma’s debts. On learning that she would have to live with hubby number 2, Lady Elizabeth went shopping in London ... hopped out of her carriage in the front door, through the building out the back door and into another carriage and hot foot to Denmark. Kindly Baron took her in, hubby no 2 conveniently assassinated in Hyde Park, so once again a widow and well to do before marrying Charles who got her titles, her money and Petworth which he set about ‘doing up’ from a Manor House to what is still there today.



Sorry to have gone on, but I had a blast and wanted to share.

If you are members and not been yet do go and if you are thinking of joining... do it �

Park in the park car park and take the wonderful walk to the house. Past deer and lake before entering the house to find an array of stunning art including many Turner pieces. Always time for coffee and cake!!

Surprised that they don't have recycling bins.

My dream is that when I go back to England i'll visit your magnificent house and gardens and enjoy your stunning art collection. Wishing you the very best !

I visited Petworth house yesterday at about 4pm. The national trust guides working in the house were beyond brilliant! They immediately welcomed us into every room and were enthusiastic and excited to talk to us about the features and the art works. They were really the best guides I have ever come across in any stately homes and I visit often. They really deserve a big piece of cake! We had such a great time.

Great mansion, beautiful garden. Lots of walking to be done and definitely a good family day out. Lots for children to do, well worth several visits

Excellent winter tour lasting about an hour. Beautiful colours in the Gardens. Lovely town to explore. Popped into St Mary's Parish Church- full of interest.

Spent 5 hours in Petworth and will be back to see more. About my 6th visit.

Beautiful property and collection! The guided tour was highly enjoyable and informative! We will be back to visit the whole property as parts were closed for winter.



The art collection is to dream for!! �



The restaurant's ambience was great and food ok. I was a highly disappointed by the veggie moussaka: £7.50 for that? � zero value for money!

Petworth is an extraordinary place. A monstrous, not very attractive stately home with a fascinating history, the most amazing collection of art and an important place in the development of British painting - notably, Turner. The park is impressive, but, even though designed by Capability Brown, it feels curiously unfinished. The lack of any formal gardens on the west (i.e. 'Front') side feels wrong.



We came for the Turner and the Art of Watercolour exhibition, which was small but fascinating. However, £12 for admission to a one-room exhibition was over-priced: £8 would have been fair.



As is often the case, the cafeteria served bready unimaginative food - not a salad leaf in sight! National Trust catering is stuck in a rut and needs an injection of flair and vision.

I always enjoy my visit to Petworth, I usually head for a walk in the park, a suggestion could we have a parking space in the main car park for those of us needing the toilet say a 15 minute time limit (we don't all have someone else in the car). I used to use the entrance from the main car park into the park but this is now closed. The house is not a favourite as I am not keen on the art. I like the kitchens.

Fantastic tour in the main house by Ian ( the first tour guide to make me feel that I was being spoken to and not lectured at!) and the gentleman on the reception desk (main house) was a delight, so friendly and helpful.



However I was disappointed by the Turner exhibition. In the main exhibition I thought the pictures were too cramped (particularly the corners of the room) which did not permit a decent chance to study the pictures in detail. Also the labelling was a tad confusing in places. Please space them out more in the future.



The whole exhibition was saved by the additional 2 rooms which were fantastic. I notice that a previous reviewer claims that you could have gone to these anyway as part of the house price - this was so obviously not the case!



Will definitely visit again to have the chance to explore the grounds and see the rooms on the tour when they are fully open.

Today we visited and felt we needed to write. On arrival we were met by a sales lady whose aggressive sales pitch to sell the national trust card even after we both declined was verging on harassment, fine you have a job, but what was totally unacceptable was when asking for two adult tickets she asked for £15 each, she did not highlight the options ie £13.50 standard or £15 IF we wished to gift add. Had I not read the board by the entrance I would have not know there was a cost option and paid that £15, so how many people today has this woman coned into paying for the more expensive ticket, does she get a bonus for this, to me what she did was dishonest so if you go to petworth house be aware there is a dishonest woman who will charge you £15 without explaining the option of the standard cheaper tickets. Shame on petworth house for allowing this to happen.

The staff on the day were really rude. We didn't get given an option to gift aid or not it was just assumed that we would. The staff were rude when they told the person I was with to take off their bag without a please, just an unpleasant look like it was common sense to take your bag off inside the house itself.



The only saving grace is that the place has deer who were more pleasant than the people I was giving money too.



Shame really and I won't be recommending this place.

Fantastic art collection. However very poorly displayed. Some pictures could not be viewed.

However the worst thing was the lighting which is appalling. I was told the the lighting fir the Turner's had been updated. However they are still very poorly lit.