Photo source: Donar Reiskoffer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Petworth House is a Grade I listed historic building in West Sussex, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Petworth House
Petworth House was built in 1688 by Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, in West Sussex.
Its interior holds one of the largest collections of paintings in National Trust care, including numerous works by J.
M.
W.
Turner.
Carved wood panelling by Grinling Gibbons lines several of the state rooms.
The National Trust has managed the house since 1947.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Petworth House
The house stands on the site of the manor of Petworth and was for centuries the southern seat of the Percy family, earls of Northumberland, before passing to the Seymour dukes of Somerset. George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont, assembled much of the art collection in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and was a close friend and patron of Turner. Architect Anthony Salvin carried out significant alterations to the house in the 1870s.
Architecture of Petworth House
Petworth House is Grade I listed and dates from the late 17th century, with later 1870s remodelling by Anthony Salvin. The state rooms feature elaborate carved wood decoration attributed to Grinling Gibbons.
Worth knowing
J. M. W. Turner stayed at Petworth as a guest of George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont, and produced numerous paintings of the house and park that remain part of the collection today.
Gardens & grounds at Petworth House
The surrounding deer park was landscaped by Capability Brown and still supports a large herd of fallow deer.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Petworth House
Address: Petworth, GU28 0AE
Nearest station: Pulborough Rail Station (4.6 miles)
Part of the South Downs National Park: see all the National Trust places there, with a map and day-trip routes.
Places to visit near Petworth House
Cowdray Ruins
View Cowdray Ruins on heritage mapWest Dean Gardens
View West Dean Gardens on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Petworth House (GU28) there are 1 historic properties, including 1 historic house.
Within 10 miles of Petworth House (GU28) there are 8 historic properties, including 5 historic houses, across Historic Houses and English Heritage sites.
Within 20 miles of Petworth House (GU28) there are 31 historic properties, including 14 historic buildings, 9 historic houses and 3 churchs, across National Trust, Historic Houses and English Heritage sites.

Issue 22— September 2026