Parham House & Gardens Guide

Parham House, West Sussex
Parham House - © Rictor Norton & David Allen

Parham House & Gardens contains a historic house and impressive gardens located in West Sussex in the English countryside. The heritage attraction offers visitors the opportunity to see a historic house with plenty of character in the delightful tranquil surroundings of the English countryside. The house contains impressive collections whilst the gardens are spread over 7 acres and offer a relaxing place to visitors to enjoy a stroll and appreciate the gardens.

Attractions


Parham House & Gardens in West Sussex offers visitors the chance to visit a fine country house nestled in the English countryside along with inspiring gardens to see. The house is made from local stone and has been built to the Elizabethan H-plan coming with the Long Gallery and a Great Hall and Long Gallery. During the 18th and the early 19th centuries there were a number of additions and alterations that were made to the house resulting in the house as it stands today.

The Pearson family bought the house back in 1922 when it was not in a good way, it was in need of repair and renovation. The Pearson family help to ensure the house was renovated and conserved especially during the 1920s and 1930s.

The Great Hall is seen as the heart of the house and contains early examples of English furniture along with a 400 year old Narwhal tusk in its original case. Visitors can see the fine portrait collection of a number of Elizabethans and Jacobean royalty, the most famous being a portrait by Robert Peake of Henry Frederick, the Prince of Wales, riding a white horse.

The Great Parlour had the ceiling of the room removed back in 1790 to making it as high as the Great Hall. Clive Pearson chose to replace it in 1935 to help re-create the Great Chamber above. There is plenty of intricate plasterwork that was done by hand. Back in the 17th century needlework fills this room with colour, today there are still a number of notable paintings.

The Saloon, was a room that has been used for wood storing. In 1790 it was remodelled in the colouring of cream and gold by the 12th Lord Zouche.

The Great Chamber acted originally as a main reception room, over the years it has changed to become Alicia Pearson’s bedroom. The Great Bed was a wedding present from Viscountess Cowdray to the Pearsons'. The room is an impressive one with some wonderful detailing.

The West Room contains a number of portraits of the Byshopp family. The room also has Italian wool wall hangings which are extremely rare dating back to the 16th century.

The Long Gallery is an imposing room that runs for the whole length of the house. The room is approx 160 feet in length making it among the largest in the UK. The room would have been used previously for recreation and entertaining among other uses. The ceiling was designed by Oliver Messel and was completed in 1968 making it a more recent addition to the house. The Long Gallery contains a range of great furniture, pictures, needlework antiques and art work.

The house contains a number of fine collections of precious antiques, furniture, paintings and needlework which were collected over a period of 60 years by Mr and Mrs Pearson and later their daughter Veronica Tritton. Their main aim was to bring in pieces that would add to the house in an inspiring and sensitive way.

The Walled Garden dates back to the 18th century and it is believed that the ground here was cultivated for a number of centuries before this date. The four acres garden adheres to organic principles and is geared for a long season with the mixed and herbaceous borders giving an Edwardian opulence to the garden whilst the tapestries of plants are reminiscent of the embroidery found within the house.

The Park is part of the Parham Estate, which is some 875 acres in size. There is a deer park contained here and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There a number of old oak trees and some rare insects resident here along with woodland birds and breeding herons. There is limited access here in order to help manage and protect the natural environment.

The Wendy House is located in the walled garden and is a brickwork building. It was built back in 1928 by Clive Parsons for his daughters, the house consists of a miniature two-storey cottage features include an oak front door, a fireplace and a wrought iron balcony.


How to Get There


The house can be accessed by both car and public transport:

By Car:

Parham is located approx 50 miles from central London. Visitors from London should take the A23 then the M23 motorway then continue on the A23 again until the exit for A272 Haywards Heath, take the A272 and continue until the junction with the A24, take a left turn on to the A24 then at the junction with the A283 turn rights on to the A283 and look out for the main entrance to Parham.

The journey time is approx 90 minutes.

For those using Satellite Navigation systems the postcode is RH20 4HS.

By Train:

From London Victoria Station in central London trains are available to Pulborough, the journey time is approx 80 minutes. From Pulborough station the Parham is a short taxi ride away.

By Bus:

There are bus services operating hourly from Pulborough station taking visitors to the main gate at Parham.

Contact Details


Parham House & Gardens
Storrington
Nr Pulborough
West Sussex
RH20 4HS
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1903 742021.

Fax: +44 (0)20 8568 0936

email: enquiries@parhaminsussex.co.uk

Website: Parham House

Facilities & Information


Opening Times:

House: Open from the middle of April until the end of September & Sundays in October:

From 14.00 until 17.00 (Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday & Tuesdays & Fridays in August) with last entry at 16.30.

The Gardens are open daily:

From 12.00 until 17.00 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, Bank Holiday Mondays & Sundays in October). with last entry at 16.30.

Further Information:

Admission Prices:

For House & Gardens:

Adults: £8.00 approx, Children: £3.50 approx, Concessions £7.00 approx & Family Ticket: £22.00 approx.

For the Gardens Only:

Adults: £4.50 approx, Children: £2.50 approx, Concessions £5.00 & Family tickets: £15.00 approx.


Facilities:

The Big Kitchen offers a restaurant for visitors, here visitors can get drinks and light refreshments along with afternoon tea and a selection of biscuits and cakes. The licensed restaurant also serves wine and beer.

There is disabled access on the ground floor of the house and for the gardens and shop.

Map



View Larger Map

For Local Search and Directions see: Parham House & Gardens Map

Tips & Other Considerations


There may be some variations on the opening hours depending on the time of year and other factors. It is recommended visitors double check before going to ensure the attraction you wish to see is open.

Always remain alert, vigilant and aware of your belongings at all times. Ensure valuables such as your wallet/purse are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a good quality, strong strap, that is put across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to take your bag.

If you are travelling by car to Parham ensure you are well prepared with maps and Sat Nav to aid your journey, particularly if you are not familiar with the local area and roads. See the journey planner for door to door directions. Check the latest traffic information before travelling.

If you are travelling by public transport, check for service updates prior to beginning your journey for any delays, disruption or cancellations to services that may impact on your journey. Ensure you have the service timetables for the trains, buses and coaches. Remember when the last services are and ensure you make it to the train/bus/coach stops well in time.





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