The Ionic Rotunda, a round stone structure with a domed roof supported by columns, stands on raised grassy ground, with bare-branched trees to both sides — Take in the views from the Ionic Rotunda | © National Trust Images/Gary Cosham

Sussex

Capability Brown's Pleasure Gardens walk

Take a 1-mile (1.6km) circular stroll around the Pleasure Garden, to see the monuments introduced by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. The Pleasure Gardens were laid out in the 16th century and re-developed by 'Capability' Brown in the late 18th century. He suggested sites for the Doric Temple and Ionic Rotunda to give impressive views both to and from the structures, introduced a ha-ha between the Pleasure Gardens and in the Park designed winding paths from the House and around the grounds.

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Total steps: 7

Start point

Main car park, Petworth House & Park, West Sussex GU28 9LR. Grid ref: SU966239.

Step 1

From the car park walk, through the visitor centre (admission applies). Walk to your right along the path towards a set of gates, before turning left onto a grass path between some thorn trees. The path climbs across the wildflower meadow.

18th-century plants

The winding path gives views of the Ionic Rotunda on the hill above the meadow before revealing the mansion. The Ionic Rotunda was placed by 'Capability' Brown to evoke the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli. Towards the end of the 18th century many new and exciting plants were imported from America and the Far East. As you walk north down the drive towards the Salvin Gates there are crataegus (hawthorns), sorbus (whitebeam or rowan) and fraxinus (ash).

Step 2

Turn right at the top of the meadow below a bank of azaleas and follow the path to the Pleasure Gardens wall.

Wild flowers and trees in the meadow

Winding paths like this one, designed to create views, were one of Brown's trademarks, for a naturalistic feel. To the right is a South European flowering ash, with fragrant, creamy-white flowers, which was introduced in 1700. The meadow is full of wild flowers, including yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor). This plant has small yellow flowers followed by seed bladders that rattle when mature. The rattling was said to show that the grass was ready to cut for hay.

Step 3

Turn around and retrace your steps to the top of the meadow and then continue on the path, climbing the slight rise towards the Ionic Rotunda.

The parkland's history

Looking north over the wall you’ll see rolling parkland with a large pond. In the distance is Black Down, Sussex’s highest point at 918ft (280m). The park in front of you was common land, first enclosed by Henry VIII. On Henry's demise the commoners re-took the land but it was reclaimed by the 9th Earl of Northumberland (Henry Percy) in the 1570s. The hummocky ground is due to centuries of deer grazing. In this environment moles flourish and make molehills, which are taken over by ants.

Step 4

Walk south along the track, rejoining the Salvin Drive and then proceed west towards the house.

The Ionic Rotunda and rhododendrons

On your right as you walk towards the Rotunda are banks of rhododendrons including a North American species, swamp azalea, whose early-summer flowers have a wonderful scent. The Ionic Rotunda was erected in around 1765 on the site suggested by ‘Capability’ Brown's 1752 plan. He positioned it on the steep hillside to give commanding views over the meadow below and the countryside to the east. Looking south-east there is an open ride flanked by young lime trees and Irish yews.

Step 5

Continue along the Salvin Drive into the courtyard.

The Doric Temple

To the north the Doric Temple is surrounded by holm oaks (Quercus ilex). Records show Brown bought several of these oaks. Brown sited the Doric Temple here for the view across the Shimmings Valley. The Temple was formerly situated on terraces that were part of the formal garden laid out by George London for the 6th Duke of Somerset. Brown removed the terraces to create the southern slope of Lawn Hill as part of his naturalistic view from the house to the Upper Pond.

Step 6

In the courtyard, pause for a moment at the two urns, acquired by the 3rd Earl in late 18th or early 19th century. If you need refreshment, stop off at the café or restaurant in the Servants' Quarters.

Roses and magnolias

'Capability' Brown, although more conservative than most of his contemporaries, did use flowering and scented plants including roses, such as the White Rose of York, around the North Gallery. In the courtyard are several Magnolia grandiflora, introduced from North America in 1734. It is evergreen with large creamy, fragrant flowers in late summer and autumn. The south of the courtyard is closed by the Salvin's stone screen and gateway, which replaced the 3rd Earl's conservatory in the 1870s.

Step 7

Retrace your steps back to the car park, taking the pedestrian track where the drive curves to the left.

Seclusion and structure

For the right of the path Brown designed a continuous planting with the trees as the backdrop and shrubs in the foreground, many of which were chosen for flower or scent. These hide the town and road, making the Pleasure Gardens seem more secluded. To the left of the path you will see two ancient lime trees, which are covered in mistletoe. Brown used native trees such as these limes to create structure in his plantings.

End point

Main car park, Petworth House & Park, West Sussex GU28 9LR. Grid ref: SU966239.

Trail map

Petworth Capability Brown pleasure grounds walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Petworth House and Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR

01798342207

petworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Total steps: 7

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