Petworth House & Park | September Stroll In The South Downs

When Autumn is mentioned, a few go-to phrases come to mind: golden leaves, chunky-knit jumpers, rainy days spent tucked up indoors, hot chocolate, toffee apples and... seasonal walks!  I can appreciate just how lucky we are here in the UK to have so many options available to us when it comes to exploring all that nature has to offer.  Off the top of my head, I can think of dozens of popular trails in the South, and many of which belong to the National Trust.  One of these can be found at Petworth House and Park, a stately mansion nestled in the South Downs (housing a fine art collection).  Along with the house, there are 700 acres to explore on a quiet Autumnal afternoon.  In my opinion, the beauty of the season lies in that you don't need good weather.  In fact, the rain even contributes to the 'cosy factor' - which let's face it, suits England very well...

I think part of the appeal of places such as Petworth House and Park, is the tranquility they offer.  As the temperature drops, you can often find yourself strolling through the grounds of these places without coming across anyone for ages.  It's just you and your thoughts to the sound of the rain bashing down on your umbrella - well, unless you're visiting with someone, and then it's non-stop chatting and stopping for carrot cake (twice!).

The Marble Hall can be found near the grand staircase and is beautifully bright, even on the darkest of days.  Am I obsessed with the floor?  Yes.  As you'll most likely be able to tell from this post, it quickly became my favourite room at the mansion!   

I recently joked over on Instagram about aged moldings found in garden follies literally being my aesthetic, and so you can imagine my delight at stumbling across a Rotunda in the property's enclosed grounds!  I was planning on returning asap to check out the 'panoramic views of the South Downs' from the Pleasure Ground.  However, I've just read about how in October and November you can spot herds of deer in the park!  My advice?  Plan a visit to Petworth for the end of Autumn to catch up with friends or family; that way you get the best of what the place has to offer!

My love for historic houses, long walks and gardens is nothing new on A Glass Of Ice, but I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on that one! Do share your thoughts on this place below; will I find myself bumping into you at Petworth House and Park anytime soon?!

With love,

Gabrielle x