Skip to content
A clump of trees stand on top of a grassy hill as the sun shines through the branches at sunset in Petworth Park
Sunset in the park at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex | © National Trust Images/John Miller
Sussex

Capability Brown's parkland walk

Enjoy a 3-mile (4.8km) walk through the 700 acres (2.8sq km) of parkland sculpted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, with breathtaking views over the park to distant hills towards the South Downs.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

Petworth Park, North car park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9LS. Grid ref: SU966239.

Step 1

From the car park, take the track leading to the west (with the wall on your right) to the view at the top of the hill.

Step 2

Continue along the grassy track, keeping the wall on your right side, until you see a little cottage called Shepherds Lodge.

A fallow deer, brown with white spots, beneath the trees in Petworth Park
Spot the fallow deer in Petworth Park | © National Trust/Christina Beckett

Step 3

Take the grassy track that rises up to Monument Hill. Continue climbing the hill until you reach a path on the left with a bench in view. Stop for a breather and take in the highest views of the park at 410ft (125m) above sea level.

Step 4

Follow the path that contours around a bowl, giving extensive views over the park, and then descend the steep hill back to the stone road and turn right walking towards the House.

Step 5

Once you reach the top of the hill, cross onto the grassy path to take you towards the boathouse. Walk down the hill, turn left at the crossroads in the path. Follow the grass track around the railings enclosing the Upper Pond and take the track leading to the top of the hill.

A view over grassy parkland and the Upper Pond, with Petworth House beyond
The parkland and Upper Pond near Petworth House | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Step 6

From here there are excellent views over the parkland to the surrounding countryside, looking north towards Black Down and south to the downs. Proceed down the track towards the Lower Pond to return to the car park.

A view over grassy parkland to the Pond, surrounded by trees, to hills beyond the Park
Enjoy far-reaching views beyond the Park | © National Trust/Bryony Young

Step 7

As you reach the Lower Pond, walk around the pond and along the track towards the car park to finish your walk.

End point

Petworth Park, North car park, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 9LS. Grid ref: SU966239.

Trail map

Map of Capability Brown's parkland walk, Petworth Park
Map of Capability Brown's parkland walk, Petworth Park | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Two people walking through woodland with sunset shining through trees
Trail
Trail

Petworth ancient trees walk 

Discover more about the ancient trees that dominate the skyline of Petworth on this circular walk in Sussex.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)
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
Trail
Trail

Capability Brown's Pleasure Gardens walk 

A 1-mile (1.6km) circular stroll around Petworth's Pleasure Gardens that takes in the highlights of the naturalistic landscape created by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
A footpath along the edge of the gently flowing Rother, fringed with ancient trees and low lying plants
Trail
Trail

Woolbeding, River Rother and Midhurst walk 

Enjoy this easy walk along the River Rother starting and returning to Midhurst's charming main street.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Flying kestrel in the sky
Trail
Trail

Shottermill to Marley Common and Cognor Wood walk 

Walk past ancient millponds onto Marley Common with its impressive beech trees, then through woods into a working sweet chestnut coppice and on to a meadow buzzing with wildlife in summer.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Get in touch

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

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

View over the pond to the west front of the house at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
Article
Article

Who was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown? 

Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was one of the UK's most celebrated landscape gardeners. Find out how this Georgian gentleman created the quintessential English landscapes that we see at many of the places in our care today.

A family walking alongside Lake Windermere at Fell Foot during winter, Cumbria

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Winter sun in the woods at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

Walking in Sussex 

Explore coastal paths, open parkland and countryside teeming with wildlife on these top walks in Sussex.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.