Set in the heart of an ancient deer park, Parham House and Gardens is situated below the South Downs. The house and gardens have been lovingly restored by the Pearson family who bought Parham in 1922. The main rooms of this peaceful Elizabethan house are the Great Hall, Great Chamber and Long Gallery.
Where is Parham House & Gardens located?
Parham House & Gardens is situated midway between Pulborough and Storrington on the A283 road. Equi-distant from the A24 & A29. It is one and a half hours drive from central London.
What is the history of Parham House & Gardens to the present day?
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540, Henry VIII granted the manor of Parham, which had belonged to the Abbey of Westminster, to a London mercer called Robert Palmer. Parham's foundation stone was laid in 1577 by Robert's two-year-old grandson, Thomas. Thomas Palmer sold the house in 1601 to Sir Thomas Bysshopp. For 320 years Bysshopp descendants lived at Parham until it was sold in 1922 by the 17th Baroness Zouche to the Hon. Clive and Alicia Pearson. Clive was the second son of Weetman Dickinson Pearson, the 1st Viscount Cowdray. With the outbreak of war in 1939, Parham became home to 30 evacuee children from Peckham in south-east London. The Pearsons found Parham in sad repair and together they revived and restored Parham with great sensitivity and care, collecting many interesting and special things with which to furnish it. On 17th July 1948 they opened the doors to the public, and 61 visitors, paying 2/6d for adults and 1/6d for children came in. Parham has welcomed visitors ever since. Parham is now home to Lady Emma Barnard, great-granddaughter to Clive and Alicia Pearson.
What is there to see and do at Parham House & Gardens?
One of the country's finest Elizabethan Houses, Parham's tranquillity and timeless beauty have changed little over the centuries. The main rooms of the House are the Great Hall, Great Chamber and Long Gallery, which contain an outstanding collection of pictures, furniture and needlework. The rooms at Parham are graced with fresh flowers from the four-acre walled garden with its greenhouse, orchard, herb and ornamental kitchen garden. With delicious takeaway catering available from the Mower Shed, including afternoon teas, cakes and sandwiches, Parham has something for everyone, even the smallest, with a stone Wendy House built into a secret corner of the garden wall!
Other Information
Parham House & Gardens hosts various specialist tours and exhibitions throughout the year: please visit the website for more information.
