Parham House

Another coach trip to the countryside.  This time to Parham House set in the South Downs National Park.  Parham House was started in 1577 and is an Elizabethan,  Grade 1 listed house with an estate of 875 acres.  A truly fabulous place to visit as there is so much to see inside and out.

The very large house has many rooms and most with lots of large paintings, old furniture and beautiful tapestries and rugs.  The long gallery is 158 feet long and runs the length of the house.  The ceiling is well worth a look as it’s very pretty and an unusual shape.  The views are lovely too

Outside, the estate has 875 acres, of which we had access to 7 acres of pleasure grounds, so we had plenty to see including the 4 acres of walled garden divided into a rose, veg, cut flowers and  orchard sections.  The herbaceous borders were very pretty, tall an natural looking  and had plenty of bees everywhere.  There was a long green house to stroll through with many pretty plants in there which were in full flower. Food was in the Mower Shed Café which served hot and cold drinks,  scones, cakes and sausage rolls, etc.  Limited seating inside and out plenty on picnic benches.  A biggish garden centre and gift shop were very inviting.

Lastly we went to the huge lake to which we had access to 1 side.  Across from us one of the trippers saw a large bird of prey in a conifer tree.  I said it’s too big for a buzzard.  It turned out to be a White Tailed Eagle.  A local said it’s often in here.  What a way to finish off a fabulous day out if not a bit hot!