Petworth House in West Sussex is surrounded by a 700 acre landscaped deer park designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown in the 1750s. Natalie Leal takes a wintery walk around the park and enjoys breathtaking views which have inspired artists over the centuries.

1. From the National Trust parking area (signed for the park not the house) take the footpath leading into Petworth park keeping the wall to your right.

Follow the path as it snakes around some trees and then leads you downhill. It soon rises again along a broad grassy path taking you up towards a lodge which soon comes into view. At the lodge continue straight ahead keeping the wall to your right, ignoring the left fork. This path soon begins to climb towards a copse of pine trees. It’s quite a steep hill but you are rewarded at the top with stunning views for miles around. Walk around the edge of the copse (with trees to your right) and continue straight ahead. After approximately 100 yards you will come to a folly.

2. This folly is Upperton monument, built in 1816 and painted by Turner in 1827. Today the building is a residential property. Climb over the mound opposite and join the mown path on the other side (if you don’t fancy the steep slopes of the mound, keep to the original path through the trees as these paths will join up further along). Keep to this path as it leads downhill (steeply in places) and along the edge of the park back towards the main path. Walk alongside a wire fence and then when you come to the stony track, go right.

3. This path continues high up along the edge of the parkland giving gorgeous views over to the left. As you continue on, the windows and chimneys of Petworth House begin to appear ahead.

Just as the house comes clearly into view another path forks off to the left leading directly to it. Ignore this and keep straight ahead in the direction of the large pond.

There are two ponds in Petworth Park and while they appear a natural part of the landscape, they were, in fact, created as part of Capability Brown’s design in the 1750s. Continue along the stony track round the edge of the pond, ignoring any turnings off the main path.

4. Continue on this path up towards the house and just before some large black iron gates (an addition to the house in the Victorian period and recently restored to their former glory), swing left. This path takes you directly past Petworth House.

According to the National Trust who now maintain the property, it was built as an English ‘Versailles’ to rival the palaces of Europe in the 17th century. The existing house was constructed on the site of a former mansion built in the early fourteenth century.

5. You can visit the house here if you wish (visitors must buy a ticket, National Trust members go free). Petworth House is home to an extensive art collection built up by generations of the resident family over many centuries, with works by Turner, Titian, and van Dyck among them.

Some of the paintings depict the landscape you are walking through. Once past Petworth House head up over the hill in front of you and then take the path ahead on the opposite side of the hill. Continue on and soon you will see another pond below. Keep straight ahead here following the main path towards the pond.

6. At the edge of the pond keep straight ahead. This path winds its way back through the centre of the park and there are often herds of deer to be seen along this stretch.

Keep to this path until you arrive back at the car park, the start and end point of the walk.

The Essentials

Distance/Time: A circular walk of three and a half miles taking roughly two hours.

By car: Petworth Park National Trust car park (signed for the park not the house) is located just off the A383 approximately one mile north of the town. Parking is £2.50 or free for NT members. Nearest postcode: GU28 9LS Grid Ref: SU 96648 24035

By public transport: The nearest rail station is Pulborough just over five miles away. Buses run to the town. Further travel details at www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk, phone 0871 200 2233.

What’s Underfoot: Gravel tracks and grassland paths. Can be muddy underfoot at this time of year - wellies or walking boots advised.

Thirsty work: There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the nearby market town of Petworth.

So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer map OL33, plus a compass.