Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair returns to Petworth Park

It runs from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13 in the grounds of the National Trust’s Petworth House. Visitors are advised to check online at www.petworthparkfair.com for latest updates before travelling.

Fair organiser Ingrid Nilson said: “We are adhering to the government’s guidelines for the safety of all. There are some changes to the usual layout, which won’t detract from viewing the magnificent selection of fine art and antiques.

“There will be a track and trace system in place; allowances for social distancing; the wearing of face coverings will be mandatory inside the marquee; and there will be hand sanitisers for everyone’s use. Some queuing will be inevitable and a one-way system may operate within the fair at busier times. The catering has been brought outside to the front of the marquee so visitors can relax, if they wish, whilst awaiting their turn to enter the marquee.”

Ingrid stressed: “None of the alterations will detract from the fair retaining its reputation for being an exciting day out for interior design enthusiasts, collectors and visitors who enjoy the finer things in life.

“Visitors will be greeted by an enthusiastic band of antique dealers glad to be back interacting with the public and showing an array of enticing antiques and fine art, all for sale from a few hundred pounds upwards.

“The fair features some 50 specialist exhibitors selling fine period furniture, clocks, jewellery, silver, oil and watercolour paintings, sculpture, glass, lighting, ceramics, 20th-century design objects, vintage watches, historical medals, garden statuary and many other decorative works of art.

“New faces include Julian Eade Antiques, Burlington, Kenneth Neame Limited, Michael St. John, Shapero Gallery, Timothy Millett Limited, Ellis Fine Art and Tom Rooth Fine Art.

“Some highlights from this year’s new exhibitors include an interesting range of Victorian paintings, with a couple of local scenes by Edward Wilkins Waite RBA (1854-1924): Haymaking in Sussex, £16,000 and Cornfields at Fittleworth, £12,000 from Burlington. Shapero Gallery has a handsome portrait of former banker and Member of Parliament Edward Charles Grenfell, 1st Baron St Just by royal portraitist Sir Oswald Birley MC RA (1880-1952), £37,000.

“Tom Rooth Fine Art has sourced the work of local artist Sue Viner, who lives outside Chichester. She creates the most exquisite botanical studies of flowers, vegetables, fruit, shells and feathers brimming with subtle textures and vivid colours using materials sourced from the earth.”

Ingrid added: “As the Goodwood Revival is no longer taking place on the same dates nearby, the fair organisers are encouraging visitors to come along in their vintage cars, dressed for the occasion, on the Sunday, the final day of the fair, if they wish. Obviously, this will be weather permitting for the open-top vehicles!”

Opening: Friday, 11am-6pm; Saturday, 10.30am-6pm; and Sunday 10.30am-5pm. Tickets £5 on 01797 252030 or [email protected] or Eventbrite on https://tinyurl.com/ty4kd3g