Petworth Town
Petworth is an historic market town dating from the 12th centuary, situated to the north of the south downs, in a traditional agricultural setting. Petworth House and park are an additional attraction. The town lies at the crossroads of the A272 which runs east/west and the A283/A285 which runs north/south. Petworth is an attractive destination for tourists but because of its medieval origins the narrow roads can lead to considerable traffic congestion.
The populaton is around 4,000 in the town and surrounding parishes.
Petworth is a well known centre for antiques having a number of excellent shops. In addition to these there are retail outlets covering ladies fashions, hairdressers, haberdashery, hardware, bakery, a delicatessan and a butcher to name but a few. Petworth also has several fine restaurants and cafés.
In the market square stands The Leconfield Hall built in 1741 on the site of the old covered market and served as the courthouse and council meeting place, there is still a cell in the basement. Today it serves as the main public meeting place.
Lombard Street leads north from the square to St Mary's Church and was once a busy shopping street. At the junction of Lombard St and Church St stands "Pettifers" which dates from 1573. The war memorial stands at the junction of Church St and North St. In the middle of the junction at the entrance to East St. there is an obilisk designed by Sir Charles Barry.
Somerset Hospital, established by the Duke of Somerset in 1746, is on the east side of North St. A little further along is Thompsons Hospital (1624). At the junction with the Horsham Road stand the Egremont almshouses(1836).
In East St. George House(1805) replaced the previous George Inn. Next door is a large building that was a working mens' institute, library, and meeting place. Nearby is the girls' school(1864-1956) which was a chapel and now a private residence.Opposite are timbered buildings including Stringers Hall which dates from 1652. Trump Alley was an access road to the square before New St. was built in the 19th centuary.
The Angel Hotel has a history dating back to 1720. Nearby is the Roman Catholic Church which was built in 1898.
Middle St. was an extension of East St. and has buildings dating back to the 16th centuray.
In the High St is a curious building known locally as the clubroom which was at different times an artists' studio, dance hall and meeting place. Up hill is a cotage owned by Leconfield Estates, which today is the Petworth Museum. In Grove St. stands Stone House which has been the residence of wealthier traders and Congregational Church Ministers.
Back in Golden Square at the bottom of the High St. the garden of Lancaster House is said to be the hiding place of Church Plate during Cromellian times. It was also the home of a local Lord who traced his family back to 1066.
In Saddlers' Row to the west of the square there is an antique shop that was once a restaurant and before that a butchers. Opposite is the building called The Swan Hotel. It was until recently an antique shop. The shop on the corner with Park Road probably dates from 1604.
Pound St. which runs south got its name from the cattle pound that used to be there.
Petworth House dating from around the 14th centuary stands in 700 acres of parkland and is now administered by the National Trust.
