Petworth House and Park wouldn’t look out of place in a lavish Jane Austen adaptation. In fact, this 17th-century mansion which is home to a huge array of internationally famed paintings from the likes of Anthony van Dyck and William Blake, was the only ‘real’ Turner location to feature in Mike Leigh’s award-winning 2014 film Mr Turner.
JMW Turner famously had a run of the house when he visited his greatest patron, George Wyndham, third Earl of Egremont, who owned Petworth from 1763, and during his time there was commissioned to create 20 paintings which are still on display today.
As much as the rich tapestry of artwork and neo-gothic sculptures at Petworth House and Park are fascinating, there is something far more pleasing to a four-year-old boy… and that’s the vast 700-acre sprawling park across West Sussex.
Before even reaching the mansion, we slowly meandered on the paths through Capability Brown’s Pleasure Ground – filled with blankets of spring flowers, Monkey loved the Doric Temple, while we enjoyed the views from the Ionic Rotunda – designed and placed to become key focal points among the trees.
After finally reaching the impressive property, we knew dragging Monkey around the art exhibition would invite tedium, but we still opted to look around the servant’s quarters and the historic kitchens – which has remained unchanged since the Victorian era. It was mind-boggling to learn that back in 1829 the kitchens served some 30,000 guests.
The main kitchen is home to some 1,000 copper pots and pans, as well as a traditional roasting range, bain-marie and gas stove. Much to our dismay Monkey decided to road test some of these items. Luckily, no one saw him…
Once outside, we headed towards the Upper Pond and enjoyed watching the bird life flocking around the water but not before Monkey spied a huge hill which he insisted we had to race up.
I’m glad we did, though. The views from up high of the whole estate were spectacular – and it’s easy to understand why Turner was so inspired to paint the landscapes when he came to stay.
The ancient woodland filled with giant chestnut trees, a 1,000-year-old oak as well as some of the oldest limes in the UK meant we had a natural playground in which to keep us entertained for some time.
We just wished we’d brought our bikes as we were only able to explore a small part of Petworth House and Park’s substantial lands. We didn’t even come across the estate’s 900 fallow deer, which graze in all parts of the park.
Filled with ramblers, families, art lovers, history fans and dog walkers, Petworth Park and Park has something for everyone. It would be impossible to feel claustrophobic wandering the grounds – there’s just so much space for all to enjoy. Meanwhile, there are several organised activities and talks from antique fairs, guided walks and craft workshops throughout the year.
We’ll definitely be returning and aiming to explore much more of Petworth House and Park’s wonderful grounds, and perhaps next time, we’ll even be able to spy a deer or two…
National Trust’s Petworth House and Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR; Tickets: Adult £13.50; Child £6.75
I’ve been to Petworth House. We did a guided tour of the interior of the house and then explored the park on our own. It was so beautiful. Thanks for the memories.
I love that huge door, doors were much more impresive back in the day weren’t they. You have such lovely places to visit near you.
We are very lucky. Although you have the stunning coast near you! I’m jealous of that for sure…
I used to drive past Petworth on my way back to boarding school after weekends out and we’d always see the deer, but I’ve never been in. Looks very tranquil.
It’s very lovely.
Wow amazing Gardens, yet another one we never managed to knock off during our time in the UK (though I see the UK spring weather hasn’t changed a bit!)
Exactly, it’s now May and only now is the sun deciding to come and say hi!
Lovely photos! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit! #MondayEscapes
Kate x http://www.petiteadventures.org/
Thank you, it was a lovely day
Thanks for sharing! I love these old estates that you find scattered about the UK and Ireland. They definitely make for a great day out. #MondayEscapes.
We are very lucky to have so many here
Wow! What amazing images. I love exploring the UK’s old castles and building and can’t wait to return next year for more. This one might just have to be added to our to do list.
Do go, it’s very pretty
Wow those grounds look breathtaking, I bet it is gorgeous there on a hot day, and those doors are incredible. Ha ha I love that Monkey tested out the posts and pans
We were lucky we didn’t get a telling off!
the scenery is amazing! I have this thing with old mansions in the UK!
So huge and so much to explore. There’s never enough time!
Great tip about the bikes. What a beautiful place; we’re so lucky in this country, to have such history all around us.
It’s just finding the time to get to them all!
It looks fabulous…beautiful landscapes and grounds as well as artwork from one of our greatest artists! I must go! Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
You’d love it. Maybe after bubba is here!
Great shots and what a beautiful place. One more to add to my list of places to visit! Thanks for hosting #MondayEscapes
Pleasure Cindy 🙂
It’s such a gorgeous part of the world.Thanks for the tour. It’s good to know it’s child friendly too. #MondayEscapes
I think all NT places are very family-friendly. Plenty of space and great cakes 🙂
Ohhh, I love The National Trust! This looks like the most lovely park 🙂 Love the green spaces of the UK!
We do have some amazing hidden gems in the UK!
Oh I LOVE your National Trust series…makes me fall in love with UK again and again 🙂 Such a huge, sprawling estate. I wonder if I would be as energetic as you are, running up hills and so on, but i guess with such enigmatic landscape, it’s worth the run 🙂 #MondayEscapes
Thanks Kat, I think once the huffing and puffing subsided, the view was worth it 🙂
Snap – I have a Capability Brown landscape on Monday Escapes too! My big monkey (husband) enjoyed the parkland in just the same way a your little one!
Ha ha! Look forward to reading, only just catching up now after the most manic weeks at work. Thanks for joining in 🙂
The National Trust’s outdoor spaces were a bit of a revelation to me, once I started trotting round them with the kids. Mind you, I became adept at shimmying quickly round the house regardless of likely interest levels from the children. They became resigned. Don;t remember the Turners at Petworth though. Deary me. Must have taken that one too fast! On the upside, I do remember their 17th Century biscuits. Came in very handy when my son’s class had to do homework relating to the lives of those caught up in the Great Fire of London.
Umm. Anyway. Great pictures! Looks like you had a fab time indeed!
ooo, I didn’t see those biscuits! Will have to look out for those next time!
I haven’t been to Petworth Park, but I can see why you love it so much with all of the open land and scenery! I would love to explore and run around this nature playground. 🙂
It’s so pretty. You’d love it
Love those huge rambling gardens
Looks like a very peaceful place. It is hard to grasp how the kitchen used to serve 30,000 guests. I see a lot of food shows and they freak out when they have to serve 100 guests.
I can’t even imagine how stressful that must have been!
Wow, those grounds look stunning!
How nice would it be to see a deer?
I know, they must have been hiding!
How beautiful to wander the grounds. I am fascinated by Victorian literature and wouldn’t be able to help myself from fantasising that I was part of a Jane Austen novel! What a great day trip 🙂
Such a pretty place and another National Trust gem.
If there were deers, it would have been something right out of a fairytale!
I cannot even comprehend how I’d use 1000 copper pots! I wouldn’t want to wash them up either but I guess I’d have my servants to do that for me 🙂 #Mondayescapes
Oh to have servants… yes and do you know, the kitchens were pretty tiny really!
Reading this makes me so nostalgic of our life in England when the kids were younger…we had been to several national trust estates, loved the combination of nature, history and having a lovely family day out 🙂 the grounds look lovely here!
They really are lovely, although I bet you don’t miss the weather here!
Sounds like a wonderful spot! Looking at your gorgeous pictures, I’m thinking a nice picnic before making the rounds in the gallery sounds like a plan for us. And then maybe I’ll road test some of the kitchen gear, too! 😉 #MondayEscapes
Thanks Rob, you’re right. A nice picnic when the sun’s shining would be a perfect way to spend the day there.
Looks wonderful. I love how Monkey tried to road test the kitchen items 🙂
I’m so glad we weren’t told off!
What an amazing place. I’m a massive National trust fan but we’ve never made it to Petworth yet. Looks like there’s some great walks there, will definitely have to check it out next time we’re near.
It’s very large – great for walking!
The park looks so beautiful! I’d love to visit just for that, I’d be very bored at the art exhibition, would probably resort to testing the kitchen items to entertain myself too, haha. Thanks for hosting #MondayEscapes 🙂
Ha ha! Lucky we weren’t told off! 🙂
What a gorgeous place to visit. I must admit I have never heard of this National Trust property. Love the picture of monkey with the tree. Thanks for hosting and a HUGE well done on The Mads xx
Thanks Tracey xx
What a gorgeous place to explore. I had never even heard of it before to be honest. Hopefully we can head over the pond soon and explore it ourselves. #MondayEscapes
National Trust has so many beautiful locations across the UK, hope you get here to explore them at some point
It really does look like something out of Jane Austen – fab shots, looks a lovely place too. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
Pleasure Steph x
What a lovely outing! But I can see it’s still very chilly! I love the outdoors…It must have been amazing to see all those ancient trees! Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes. I just stumbled on it this morning and think it’s such a great way to connect with other bloggers.
Petworth was the very first Natural Trust property we took Tin Box Tot to when she was about six weeks old. I remember enjoying a cuppa and huge, guilt free slice of cake in the cafe while giving her a feed. Tin Box Dog also appreciated a run around the grounds. It’s somewhere you could go back to again and again #MondayEscapes
Oh we had a cream tea. You’re right, it’s definitely somewhere to go back to. This time with bikes!