Here at MyLondon, we believe there is no better place to live than the capital. At the same time, part of what makes this city so great is its unbeatable transport links, which allow you to hop on a train and be on the coast, in a charming little village or even in another country within an hour.
After a busy few weeks I was looking for a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a quick Google search led me to a town that had everything I was looking for – pretty cobbled streets, stunning country walks and a good pub. Petworth, a beautiful market town in the heart of the South Downs National Park, has been voted the best place to live in the South East and I found out why on arrival.
Walking the picturesque streets felt like a million miles away from London, but you can hop on a train from Croydon and be in nearby Pulborough in under an hour, just a 10 minute drive away by taxi to Petworth. All of a sudden I was in a place where life seemed to have a slower, gentler pace. It may sound like a country cliché, but it’s true, Petworth felt like it was stuck in time, in a good way. Here’s my rundown of what to do, eat and drink if you take a trip to this beautiful place.
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Things to do in Petworth
The first thing to do when you arrive in Petworth is to wander the pretty streets. You’ll quickly notice that, in addition to its multitude of independent shops, Petworth is also famous for its large number of antique dealers. It is the only city in the country to have 30 art and antique dealers within a mile radius. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon than wandering the sleepy streets and looking at the amazing antiques on display.
Something that drew me to the city was the stunning countryside walks it offered. Following footpath signs from the city center I soon found myself in rolling countryside where there was nothing but peace and quiet. Wild deer and the occasional cow are likely to be your only company in the South Downs National Park.
I spotted a few wild deer on my walk in the countryside, but if you really want to see them, you’d better head to Petworth House. The house itself is stunning, inspired by baroque palaces in Europe, and Inside is a National Trust-owned collection of fine art. The extensive grounds surrounding the house include the Petworth Pleasure Ground, a beautiful woodland trail, and the 700-acre Petworth Deer Park, home to hundreds of wild deer.
Where to eat
There are tons of restaurants in Petworth but the one that caught my eye was Meghdoots Mystique Masala which has great reviews everywhere you look and it did not disappoint. When we entered we were greeted with a smile and before we even got our menus the waiter offered us a refreshing cup of soup to pay for the house.
Instead of your classic British Indian restaurant where you choose between rogan josh and tikka masala, Meghdoots has given the dishes their own authentic character. Rather than your standard curry offering, I was forced out of my comfort zone and loved every bite washed down with Cobra from the tap. Tiffins Tea House is also highly recommended if you’re looking for something lighter and is famous for its scrumptious scones.
Where to drink
When I step outside of London, one of my priorities is a good pub garden. Fortunately, there was no shortage of them in and around Petworth.
My first stop was The Three Moles in Selham, a little out of the way from Petworth but the perfect place to stop if you’re on a country walk. Serving excellent food in a multi-level beer garden, The Three Moles is truly the most charming country pub you could visit, and on Saturdays they fill their garden with events from country singers to drag acts.
I then headed to The Angel Inn in the center of Petworth. On a sunny day, you can easily spend an entire afternoon here. When I was eventually forced to leave to return to London, I did so with a heavy heart, but I felt completely refreshed.
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Who controlled medieval towns?
In medieval Spain, urban communities were self-governing through their concejo abierto, or open council of property owners. The larger cities devolved power to regidores (city councilors) and alcaldes (law officers), who administered the city and surrounding lands as one comunidad.
What do you call the ruler of the city? A mayor is the municipal head of government, the highest civil authority at the municipal level in most United States municipalities (such as cities, counties, etc.).
How were medieval towns Organised?
The typical layout of a medieval city included large buildings not far from where the defensive walls were placed, a wide open space that extended alongside the protective buildings and homes, usually to the southeast. The walls had towers and outer ditches. The cities followed a circular route.
Who runs a medieval town?
A village was usually part of a manor house, run by a lord or someone of noble birth, a church or an abbey. Most of the farmers never dared to leave the village in their lifetime. Most farmers worked their land with horses, oxen, or a combination of the two.
How was society organized in the Middle Ages?
After the level of the king, there were nobles, knights, clergy (religious people), merchants and farmers in the hierarchy. One of the most unifying elements of the Middle Ages was the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the leader of a medieval town called?
Burgomaster (alternatively spelled burgermeister, literally “master of the city, master of the district, master of the fortress, master of the burghers”) is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief magistrate or chief executive of a city or town.
What would a mayor be called in medieval times?
If we are focusing on the British medieval period, I think the correct title is Portreeve. Legally speaking, “mayors” are elected by the locals and are not responsible to the king, cf. Magna Carta cl.
Who was the leader of medieval?
Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire â The name Charlemagne comes from the name Karolus Magnus or Charlemagne. He became king of the Franks in 768 and over the next 46 years he built the Carolingian Empire, becoming himself the first emperor in Western Europe in about three centuries.
Did medieval cities have mayors?
Medieval people loved elections: they elected bishops, popes, abbots, mayors, deputies, city councils, etc. Perhaps surprisingly, they also elected their own kings.
How were mayors chosen in medieval times?
Mayors were elected by the city’s liverymen, that is, members of London’s guilds, but we have very little information about how exactly this system worked at such an early period – and in any case all office holders had to be confirmed by the king or, in his absence, by a judge.
Did mayors exist in medieval times?
A mayor – with any title – could be elected or appointed, but it was unusual that there was no such function at all. There was usually one or more worlds and these were of vital importance. The mayor can be a powerful figure or a mere figure (like the Doge in Venice), but the real power is always in the hands of the city councils.
Where is the most beautiful countryside in England?
10 of the most beautiful villages in England
- Stanton, Cotswolds. …
- Clovelly, North Devon. …
- Cartmel, Lake District. …
- Lower Slaughter, Cotswolds. …
- Polperro, Cornwall. …
- Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire. …
- Broadway, Worcestershire. …
- Mousehole, Cornwall.
What is the most beautiful county in England? 1. Cornwall has been voted the most picturesque county in England. That’s right, one in five respondents voted Cornwall the most beautiful destination in England, which is no surprise given the county’s evocative mix of coast and countryside.
Which is the prettiest village in England?
Bibury was once described by William Morris as “the prettiest village in England” and it’s not hard to see why. The quintessential Cotswolds village is home to Arlington Row, one of the most photographed locations in the country, if not the world.
What is considered the prettiest village in England?
Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England Castle Combe is called “the prettiest village in England” for a reason.
What is the prettiest town in England?
After carefully scrutinizing data from over 160 towns and villages across the UK, the data was then ranked to reveal a total of 10 of the most beautiful places in the UK, with Castle Combe in Wiltshire taking the top spot!
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