Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having 24 villagers, 11 smallholders and 9 slaves, Petworth has moved on somewhat. Sitting on the A272 road from Heathfield to Winchester, it is a magnet for collectors, stuffed with antique shops at every turn, and dominated by the historic Petworth House and gardens
PETWORTH HOUSE
The long and complicated history of Petworth House is impossible to sum up in a few short sentences, involving as it does kings and queens down the centuries, Catholics and the Reformation, The Earls of Northumberland and Capability Brown and much more besides including recently being the location for TV smash hit, Bridgerton. It’s worth setting aside a full day to visit and take the guided tour, the North Gallery being especially interesting for those who enjoy paintings and sculpture. If that sounds daunting, you can walk the extensive grounds for free and take in this view, or views from the Deer Park, still with its herd of fallow deer.
LECONFIELD HALL
Leconfield Hall, once known as Petworth Town Hall, is a neoclassical building facing Market Square, that was finished in 1793. On the north side of the building is a replica of a bust of King William III, also known as William of Orange, the Dutch-born king who died in 1702. The original bust was relocated to Petworth House in the 1990s. The ground floor of this building once housed Petworth’s horse-drawn fire engine but it has been used as a cinema since September 2021. The town’s previous cinema, The Regal, ceased operating in 1962, although the building itself is still in use, now known as the Sylvia Beaufoy Youth Centre on Midhurst Road.
ST MARY'S CHURCH
A church standing on this spot was recorded in the 1086 Domeday Book, but nothing remains of that building. The oldest part of St Mary’s is probably 13th century, while bits have been added and modified ever since, much like most churches in the county. It’s fairly clear to see the join in the tower where the old meets the new. This one certainly dominates the town, visible for miles around and, most prominently, the main focus of attention at the top of Lombard Street. I just wonder how many years the clock has stayed at five past twelve?
The unusual High Altar inside the church is elaborately and skilfully decorated. It is dedicated to the 32 residents, 28 of whom were pupils from the boys’ school, who were killed on 29th September 1942 when a German plane, aiming for troops in the grounds of Petworth House, missed and bombed the school instead. All the victims are buried in a mass grave at the Horsham Road Cemetery.
THE 3RD EARL
An interesting marble statue in one corner of St Mary’s Church of the third Earl of Egremont, George O’Brien. Why so interesting? Because the sculptor was Edward Hodges Bailey, the man who sculpted one of our nation’s most famous statues, that of Horatio Nelson, the one on top of that rather well-known column in Trafalgar Square, London.
LOMBARD STREET
In earlier times, Lombard Street was the main shopping street in town, so it’s interesting that it is now a mainly residential street, with very few shops. Many of the houses are listed buildings, of course, and this street is perhaps the most attractive one in town for visitors. A classic cobbled street, completely charming and absolutely beautiful.
PETWORTH STATION
Passenger services to Petworth Station stopped in 1955, but freight carried on for another eleven years, before all railway activity ceased after just over 100 years, the station having first entered service in 1859. The original station building was demolished in the 1880s - the current one dates from 1887. Decay and disrepair followed followed the closure of the line but in the 1980s renovations were began. Since 1995, it has operated as a bed-and-breakfast hotel where one can stay in one of four Pullman carriages or inside the old station building itself.
Shimming’s Valley is really very beautiful, and this view is easily accessible, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre.
A couple of miles east of Petworth is the tiny hamlet of Bedham, made up of just a handful of houses and farms. Hidden away in the woods is what remains of the Church of St Michael and All Angels. Actually built as a school, in the style of a chapel, local children were educated here during the week while religious services were held on a Sunday. It was built in 1880 and paid for by William Mitford, a local man who had served as the Member of Parliament for Midhurst from 1859 to 1874, representing the Conservative Party. The school was closed in 1925, but weekly services continued until the building was finally abandoned and left to the elements in 1959.
THE LOCAL VIEW
Julian Cooper: ‘Architecturally and historically, Petworth is really interesting. It hasn’t changed here - it’s almost trapped in time. That goes for a lot of the artefacts on sale in the various antique shops, too. I go for a walk most lunchtimes through to Petworth Park and the Deer Park. Petworth House is very interesting. I’d advise taking the organised tour to find out the history of the Percy family, which is fascinating. One frustrating thing is the clock on the church tower. It would be good if the community could get together and get that fixed. It’s been five past twelve since I started working here!’
Daniella Godsmark: ‘I have lived in Petworth my whole life. It’s a lovely area, with beautiful countryside. Growing up it just seemed to be full of antiques and there wasn’t much for the young generation to do, but now I realise it is a really nice place to live.’
