One of the UK’s most picturesque towns has quaint cobbled lanes, a renowned antiques market and a sprawling 700-acre park with free-roaming deer, making it the ideal day out
Petworth is a charming UK town filled with picturesque cobbled lanes(Image: MyLondon/Darren Pepe)
There are charming towns scattered across the country, with riverside walks and cosy pubs that offer that quintessential English backdrop. One picturesque destination well worth a visit is nestled in the southeast, offering a journey into the past.
The pristine historic town of Petworth in Sussex is characterised by winding cobbled streets and Georgian architecture, with a distinctive art and antiques scene. The charming lanes are brimming with antique shops and independent boutiques, along with cafes, delis, and cosy pubs.
One of its most notable eateries is The Hungry Guest on Middle Street, which serves seasonal, locally sourced food that has put the town on the map. Elsewhere, there’s a selection of inviting pubs, including The Welldiggers Arms, The Black Horse Inn and The Angel Inn.
The town is steeped in history, among its picturesque backdrop(Image: Getty Images)
Petworth Antiques Market has also garnered attention in Petworth, thanks to over 40 dealers offering everything from exquisite furniture to ornaments and a wide range of homeware. One visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “I absolutely love going to the Petworth Antique Market, the customer service is amazing with extremely friendly, helpful staff, and I always always find beautiful treasures there!!”
The magnificent Petworth House and Park is another highlight, with an expansive 700-acre park nestled among the grand 17th-century Petworth House. Within its walls, guests can wander through the historic stately home and find an extraordinary collection of internationally renowned art and sculpture.
The town is renowned for its antique scene(Image: MyLondon/Darren Pepe)
The estate stands as one of the finest surviving examples of an English landscape crafted by the legendary Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Visitors can also gaze upon hundreds of deer roaming freely throughout Petworth Park’s grounds or soak up breathtaking vistas of the South Downs, with the park providing an ideal vantage point.
It’s even been featured on the big screen in films such as Napoleon, Rebecca, and Maleficent, as well as in Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton. One TripAdvisor user raved: “Another National Trust gem! Had a wonderful day there. So much to see and wonderful walks in the grounds and deer park. The art collection is outstanding, and as usual, the volunteers in the house were great. Had an interesting talk in the square dining room about the history of the family. Found the kitchens fascinating! Great cafe too. Highly recommend.”
Petworth House is a 17th-century stately home(Image: Getty Images)
Another penned: “We had such a wonderful visit! The house is extremely interesting to explore, and the grounds are gorgeous. Petworth town is really lovely too. We were lucky to see the Turner exhibition at Petworth House when we were there, which was absolutely great! Andrew, Nicola and Kathy were all such wonderful guides/staff. They were really lovely and kind, and they answered all of our questions, which made our visit even more special. Thank you!”
There’s plenty to explore in Petworth, which is conveniently located just over half an hour’s drive from Chichester and roughly 50 minutes from Portsmouth. It offers an idyllic day out with its shops, eateries, and unspoilt landscapes, and was even hailed by Condé Nast Traveller last year as one of the UK’s most picturesque towns.
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