I was heading to meet my sister for a few days to explore the charming market town of Petworth and its surrounding countryside. Petworth is a perfect spot for a relaxing country weekend, offering plenty to see, delicious food, and beautiful walks within the South Downs National Park. Here’s a glimpse of how to spend an ideal weekend in Petworth.

Driving through the West Sussex countryside, I was enchanted by the gently rolling landscape. The fields were filled with yellow rapeseed crops, and the pretty villages featured red brick and stone cottages.

Our morning began with a short drive from The Halfway Bridge to the picturesque village of Lodsworth. Although it would have been a lovely walk through the fields, we opted to drive and visit the Langham Brewery. The brewery, located in an 18th-century granary barn, has a small tasting area where friendly brewers offer samples to help you decide what to buy. Langham Brewery is known for its traditional cask-conditioned real ales, which you can find in many local pubs. You can also arrange a two-hour brewery tour with plenty of tasting opportunities.

A bit further up the road, we stopped at the community-run Lodsworth Larder to pick up some items for our picnic lunch. The Larder offers ciabatta bread from the nearby Farreti bakery, local cheeses, and other products from Sussex craft producers. We left our car in the Larder’s car park and explored the village, admiring the stone and red brick cottages, gardens overflowing with wisteria and clematis, and the medieval stone interior of St Peter’s Church.

Next, we headed to Petworth, a market town known for its antique shops, stylish boutiques, and good food. Petworth is a haven for independent shopping, with small streets and pedestrian lanes leading to hidden courtyards and gardens. We parked in the town car park and spent an hour browsing clothes shops and second-hand bookstores, wandering along the cobbled streets and courtyards.

At The Hungry Guest Deli, we were tempted by the delicious, locally sourced food. The deli even has a cheese room where everything is beautifully displayed and kept at the perfect temperature. We could have spent hours there, but it was time to move on to Petworth House.

Petworth House and Park, located on the edge of town, are easy to visit in one day. The mansion, built in 1682, is surrounded by a 700-acre deer park landscaped by Capability Brown. The house boasts an impressive art collection, including works by Van Dyck, Reynolds, Titian, and Turner. After our picnic lunch on the edge of the deer park, we explored the pleasure gardens, which were covered with bluebells and rhododendrons.

Our walk led us to the Ionic Temple, created by Capability Brown, with views over Petworth town. Inside Petworth House, we focused on a few rooms and paintings, including eight Turner paintings and a collection of Shakespearean scenes. The Marble Hall and the Carved Room were particularly impressive, with their grand designs and intricate wood carvings.

We also visited the Servant’s Quarters, which housed the original kitchens and store rooms. The grand kitchen, with its shelves of polished copper pans and jelly molds, was a highlight. The shop and café in the courtyard provided a pleasant end to our visit.

For Sunday morning, we enjoyed a country walk starting from the village of Lurgashall, passing through Lickfold and the Blackdown distillery. We parked by the Noah’s Ark Inn in Lurgashall, a quintessentially English village with a pub overlooking the village green. The walk took us through fields and woodlands, past a millpond and a farm, and ended with a visit to the Blackdown Distillery, where we sampled various spirits and liqueurs.

After our walk, we returned to the Noah’s Ark Inn for lunch. I had a smoked salmon sandwich, while my sister chose a lamb kofta. The inn is a great spot for lunch or dinner, especially on summer weekends when it’s likely to be busy.

For accommodations, I highly recommend The Halfway Bridge, just outside Petworth. The old coaching inn offers cosy and comfortable rooms in a converted barn, delicious meals, and a welcoming bar area. Other options include The Angel Inn in Petworth, The Old Railway Station, The Spread Eagle Inn in Midhurst, and the Goodwood Hotel near Chichester. Each offers unique charm and excellent amenities for a memorable stay in West Sussex.