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Homes & Gardens

Homes & Gardens

Elevated high above the South Downs, yet close to Petersfield, Uppark House and Gardens commands panoramic views across the downs and out to the English Channel.

Image. © National Trust/John Miller

Visit the downstairs world of the servants and then compare this with the splendid upstairs Georgian interiors. At the centre is a huge 18th-century dolls’ house with 9 rooms that stands 7ft high!

The intimate gardens are being restored to their original 18th-century design and what you see today is a mixture of designs created by ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Discover a mini-scented garden and a summer meadow brimming with native wildflowers.

Enjoy the inside and outside family trails, play lawn games, picnic in the meadow or pick up a treat in the Orangery Cafe. The nearby woodland is great for exploring and den-building.

Getting around
Distance >5.6 miles from Petersfield railway station
Duration A half day, or a full day with a visit to nearby Harting Down
Grade MODERATE
Directions – Bus Emsworth & District bus service 54 at stop T on Lavent Street outside Petersfield Station takes under a half hour to Uppark House Gate.
Directions – Walk Uppark is ¾ mile from the South Downs Way.

  1. Head straight from Petersfield railway station along Lavant Street and follow the sign for the town centre.
  2. Turn right at Church Street, then left along Swan Street until you reach The Square.
  3. Take St Peter’s Road which is left of the church at the top of The Square, walking past Petersfield Museum until you reach the T-junction with Dragon Street.
  4. Turn right along Dragon Street into ‘The Causeway’ and follow the waymarked Hangers Way to the South Downs Way.
  5. Walk eastwards along the South Downs Way until you reach the junction with the B2146.
  6. Turn right and walk carefully along the B2146 until you see the sign for the entrance to Uppark House.
Directions – Cycle Uppark is ¾ mile from the South Downs Way.

  1. To reach the South Downs Way by bike, follow the Shipwrights Way/NCN 22 signs from Lavant Street outside Petersfield railway station.
  2. Halfway along ‘The Causeway’ out of Petersfield, the NCN 22 turns left.
  3. Continue along the NCN 22 past Buriton to the intersection with the South Downs Way.
  4. Cycle eastwards along the South Downs Way until you reach the junction with the B2146.
  5. Turn right and cycle along the B2146 until you see the sign for the entrance to Uppark House.

Useful Information

Due to its high elevation Uppark is vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. This can lead to closure of the property at short notice. To avoid disappointment, particularly in the winter months, please check opening arrangements before visiting.

You may also like

Nearby Harting Down is one of the largest areas of ancient chalk downland cared for by the National Trust. Look out for Grizzled Skipper butterflies, Blue Carpenter Bees and the Cheese Snail.

EXTEND YOUR VISIT

You can visit the homes of several famous LITERARY HEROES who lived near Petersfield and enjoy exploring the countryside that inspired them. A break in Petersfield is not complete without a visit to Jane Austen’s House Museum in Chawton. Follow the FOOTSTEPS THE NATURALISTS, wander the Hangers Way and visit the Selbourne home of Gilbert White.

USEFUL LINKS

Uppark House and Gardens

Harting Down

The Hangers Way

LITERARY HEROES

FOOTSTEPS THE NATURALISTS

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"The Downs...too much for one pair of eyes, enough to float a whole population in happiness."