Petworth House was the latest venue for a trip by the Friends of Romsey Abbey.
On a beautiful autumn day, fifteen members explored the house and Park. Home to an extraordinary collection of art, the magnificent 17th-century mansion stands as a monument to the evolving taste of one family over almost 900 years.
Rooted in the powerful northern Percy dynasty, the family’s journeys through the Tudor Reformation, the Gunpowder Plot, the Napoleonic Wars and up to the present day are reflected in an astonishing array of treasures that survive at Petworth today. The palatial state rooms offer an infinity of paintings and sculptures, including major works by van Dyck, Turner, Flaxman, and Blake. Separate Servants’ Quarters offer a glimpse of life below stairs, featuring domestic rooms and historic kitchens. The house stands in the grounds of Petworth Park, a landscape designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Other highlights of the visit included the mediaeval chapel, now contained within the fabric of the 17th century mansion, and the beautiful Capability Brown parkland.
This trip was the Friends final minibus outing for 2025. However, plans are already in hand for 2026.