Sussex

Cobbled streets, indie shops and antique markets aren&#8217;t the only jewels in <a href="https://petworthplaces.com/">Petworth</a>’s crown, there’s also a thriving arts scene, in fact, it’s known as the cultural capital of the Sussex Weald. And all this, just an hour’s drive from London, and only 30 mins from the coast. Wait, there&#8217;s more, Petworth has a 17th century stately home, now under the care of the National Trust, parkland and lots of walks. It’s a destination in itself for food with fine dining, tea rooms and gastro pub fare on offer as well as plenty of places to stay with character and charm.



What are you waiting for? Start planning your (no-doubt) well healed trip to Petworth with the guidance of Muddy.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-amp-drink">EAT &amp; DRINK</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/2-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/2-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/2-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



First things first: food. There’s an array of of traditional style tea rooms where you can do things the British way &#8211; tea and scones, anyone? But for real foodie finesse, you need to book in at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/e-street-bar-grill-petworth/">E.Street Bar &amp; Grill </a>(above) it’s nailed the perfect blend of class and casual. It&#8217;s an airy, sophisticated dining space housed in a 17th century building with a menu that&#8217;s a trendy breed of elevated British, with Middle Eastern, Spanish, and French flavours, whilst also firmly championing the triple-cooked chip &#8211; whatever else?&nbsp;



Your next stop has to be the Muddy award winning <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-hungry-guest-petworth/">The Hungry Guest</a> deli, it has a special glass cheese room, yes, an entire chilled area dedicated to hard, soft, gooey and goat’s &#8211; you want it, they have it. (If Muddy could live anywhere, it would be here, with crackers). The deli focuses entirely on seasonal, locally available, artisanal food covering a butchers, bakery, cheesemonger. You can stock up while on a self-catered stay, or pick up picnic supplies and enjoy the outdoors on a South Downs ramble.



Hungry for more? The town’s art gallery, <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/newlands-house-gallery-petworth/">Newlands House Gallery</a> has a on-site café an outreach of Petworth’s <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-hungry-guest-petworth/">Hungry Guest</a> food shop, which offers a properly artisan menu of pick-me-ups within the gallery’s tranquil walled garden.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/3-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/3-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/3-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/3-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/3-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<a href="https://angelinnpetworth.co.uk/">The Angel Inn</a> was crowned the best pub in the National Pub Awards 2022 and for good reason. It’s got all the traditional trappings, original beams, fireplaces and passageways as well as a large walled garden, perfect for a sundowner against he magnolia blooms in the summer. You can enjoy a meal at the inn which will be made with local produce and taste delicious. There’s also the option to stay, more on that below.



For a pre-dinner drink or something a little more glam, cocktails at E. Street Bar are a must &#8211; for the pictures alone! You can stop in for an aperitif, night cap or a few mojitos and enjoy it on the sunny patio, at the luxe bar or before dinner.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/4-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/4-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/4-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/4-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/4-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



If it’s self catering you’re after then the luxe options keep coming in Petworth. <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/ryde-house-petworth/">Ryde House</a> (above) is a gorgeous Grade II listed Regency villa, with plenty of natural light and calm, clean colours. With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and large living spaces, it comfortably sleeps six and could be ideal for parties or family gatherings.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/6-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69186" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/6-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/6-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/6-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The newest addition to the Petworth Places portfolio, is <a href="https://petworthplaces.com/book-to-stay/east-house/">East House</a>, (above) once a key meeting place for local reading groups and societies it’s now a two storey apartment with 18th century period features primed for self catered stays. There are three bedrooms – available as twin or double rooms – one on the first floor and the remaining on the second. As with Ryde House, East House has everything you need to have a beautiful and luxurious stay.&nbsp;



If you fancy a cosy coaching inn for bed and breakfast than check in to <a href="https://angelinnpetworth.co.uk/">The Angel Inn</a>. Dating back to the 1700s it has all the period nooks and crooks you desire with all the luxury you need too. That means there are contemporary marble bathrooms, coffee machines and the option to include some ‘add-ons’ such as a bottle of fizz, gift hamper or flowers &#8211; or do it the Muddy way and order all three!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/1-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69187" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/1-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/1-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You won’t find any chains in Petworth, oh no no no. You’ll be having chats with local shop owners and finding unique one-off pieces. Your first port of call needs to be <a href="https://petworthantiquesmarket.com/">Petworth Antiques Market</a>&nbsp;&#8211; housing a variety of dealers with unique tastes, specialisations and sources for their items. The stock changes regularly and is accessible to all levels, price points and knowledge. They’re open seven days a week and actively invite haggling. When it comes to antiques, you’re spoilt for choice &#8211; but to help narrow down your search, head to <a href="https://augustusbrandt.co.uk/">Augustus Brandt</a> offering antiques, of course but also bespoke furniture and accessories. They source items from across the world and have stocked the likes of&nbsp;16th century Spanish desks, Georgian gilt mirrors, cabinets form the 18th century, mid 20th century Danish antique sofas, and Art Deco Lalique Chandeliers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explore">EXPLORE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="What to do in Petworth" class="wp-image-69189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/Untitled-design-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/07/Untitled-design-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



There are a lot of galleries in Petworth, so when you can’t decide, head straight to <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/newlands-house-gallery-petworth/">Newlands House Gallery</a>. While it’s situated in a regal 1700s townhouse, inside the focus is on artists from the 1900s whose work is shown across 12 bright, spacious rooms. This summer there’s an exhibition dedicated to Leonora Carrington. As a natural rule breaker, her prolific and original output created across eight decades will be shown across her paintings, jewellery, tapestries, sketches and masks.



Right on your doorstep in Petworth are the Surrey Hills and South Downs &#8211; both ripe for rambling, hiking and/or cycling. You can see all of the trails <a href="https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/">here</a> just make sure you stock up on food at The Hungry Guest first. If you want to stay closer to town, you can head off on a walk around the grounds and deer park of <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/petworth-house-and-park/">Petworth House</a> there’s 700 acres to explore so you certainly won’t be bored.



Find out more about what to do with <a href="https://petworthplaces.com/">Petworth Places </a>



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/arts-culture-things-to-do/antique-shopping-tips/">Expert dealers share their secret tips to buying antiques</a>



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/best-places-to-live-sussex-petworth/">Best places to live: Petworth</a>



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/mini-breaks-petworth-arts-culture/">Best arts and culture mini breaks in West Sussex</a>

The Muddy insider guide: What to do in Petworth, West Sussex

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