Discover a wealth of cultural delights in West Sussex
Relatively undiscovered by many, there's a veritable feast of art and culture on offer here in our slice of West Sussex. From festivals and exhibitions to outstanding theatre and galleries, this is a location not to be missed, and in its picturesque setting surrounded by sensational South Downs scenery, you might just be inspired to plan an art and culture adventure.
Explore one of the greatest collections of art in the care of the National Trust today at Petworth House. The exquisite treasures showcased within the North Gallery, the Carved Room and the Staircase will entice you to linger as you view the astonishing paintings by the likes of Turner, Blake and Van Dyke as well as notable sculptures, furniture, ceramics and objects like the first English terrestrial globe by the mathematician Emery Molyneux.
Aside from Petworth House, the town of Petworth itself is a thriving centre for the arts, where inspiring galleries dot the pretty streets, alongside antique shops and independent boutiques. The town’s annual events celebrating the arts is enviable, with a summer festival and a literary festival each autumn, both of which attract notable names and extraordinary talent.
Boasting one of the UK’s most respected modern art galleries, Pallant House Gallery is a fascinating insight into modern British art from 1900 onwards, with regularly changing exhibitions offering new perspectives. Here you’ll see works from some of the most important British artists, including Graham Sutherland and Barbara Hepworth to mention just a few. Further creative inspiration lies in Chichester city centre, at Oxmarket Contemporary, a free to enter gallery space set within a medieval deconsecrated church where exhibitions support well known and emerging artists. Recently opened Kunst Gallery is a must-visit on your cultural explorations in Chichester, and is home to a variety of contemporary, abstract and street art including Banksy and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of Gorillaz with Damon Albarn.
Discover the contrast of ancient and modern art at Chichester Cathedral, where medieval sculpture reliefs sit alongside more modern pieces like Graham Sutherland’s 'Noli Me Tangere'.
This picturesque market town at the heart of the South Downs National Park boasts a number of small galleries where you can discover an array of talent, much of which draws inspiration from the glorious surroundings. Wander the Midhurst gallery for an art immersion.
It’s no surprise, to those of us who live here, that there is a vibrant art scene in Sussex, but it’s only when you see the wide range of art venues laid out in Helen Cann’s Sussex art map, inspired by Eric Ravilious and the Bloomsbury Group, that you realise how rich the offer really is. The map…
2024 brings a year packed with outstanding art Currently showing: John Craxton: A Modern Odyssey, an exhibition which Laura Freeman at The Times described as 'like a ray of hot Cretan sunshine', showcases Craxton's range of work from haunting landscapes to the joyful warmth of works created amid the…
Sussex’s hidden treasure troves house unusual crypts, medieval stained glass panels, gothic pews, rare 13th century paintings, herringbone stonework and over 120 species of plant (and that’s in just one churchyard). Join us on a tour of 10 “must see” unique rural churches in Sussex. You’ll discover…
