Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

Petworth Park walk on 21st October 2026

The weather certainly looked very poor for Tim and Jane's walk. After changing the start point to the National Trust car park, we eventually settled for walking along to the Kennels entrance to the park, determined to see at least one deer. After climbing up towards the hill overlooking the Boat House we decided to head for the woods near the Lower Pond as there were deer herds visible in the distance. Thinking we would have a quick coffee and head for the pub very early, we found the rain had eased so changed our minds and headed for the deer herds. We were not disappointed as the deer were not too annoyed with our presence and the sun even managed an appearance. We carried on to the path just below Upperton and then headed for the Upper Pond, with magnificent views of Petworth House in the distance. With the weather still being very kind to us, we felt it wise to head back to the car park, before it changed its mind. It was then a short drive to The Angel Inn where we enjoyed an excellent lunch.    

In spite of the rain, we're going walking!

Coming down the hill at last

Tree shelter in sight and some distant deer

As drinks stops go, the seating could have been better, but it's stopped raining!

Deer on the move

Some are more bothered than others

Often mistaken for mole hills, these anthills are all over Petworth park. Centuries old and over a metre beneath the surface

This fawn just sat amongst the anthills and didn't move

This stag also couldn't be bothered to move

Just beware the dragon tree

Deer everywhere we looked

This stag thought if he stood very still, we would think he was part of the tree

Then his nerves got the better of him and he wandered off

Three more dear up on the hill

Petworth House with grounds by Capability Brown in the 18th Century. A previous owner, Henry Percy, spent 16 years in prison having been falsely accused of being implicated in the Gunpowder Plot

Great food in the Angel Inn

3 miles or so, in spite of the weather

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