Historic Uppark House re-opens in South Downs National Park
August 11, 2025
One of the grandest historic buildings in the National Park has just re-opened after repairs and renovations.
The National Trust’s Uppark House and Garden, near South Harting, has reopened after being closed for the last year and a half.
The 17th century house and landscaped garden are open four days a week from Sunday to Wednesday until 1 October. Visitors can now enjoy the tranquil garden, café and second-hand bookshop free of charge.
Uppark’s beautiful Georgian interiors, including its atmospheric servants’ quarters, can be explored on new bookable guided tours.
Michaela Saunders-Hall, Visitor Operations Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming visitors back to Uppark, and excited to be opening our gardens, café and second-hand bookshop for free so that everyone can enjoy popping here for a delicious slice of cake and a brew with a view!
“Our enthusiastic volunteers are all ready to guide visitors through the house with stories of the Fetherstonehaugh’s, H.G Wells and Lady Emma Hamilton as well as a new, informative exhibition on the conservation and collections management that has taken place over the last nineteen months and ongoing.”
The garden, which offers spectacular views over the South Downs, has seen some changes.
Head Gardener Chris Skinner: “Our new garden pathways allow all our visitors to roam more freely through glades of trees, past flower borders and into the wildflower meadow. We’ve introduced new planting schemes too, with a strong focus on colour and scent, invoking the spirit of Humphrey Repton, the gardens’ original 19th century landscape designer.”
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