Garden Photo Wins First Prize

During 2009 the Historic Houses Association and Christies commissioned a professional photography competition to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the HHA/Christies garden of the Year award.  Parham won the award in 1990 and at a ceremony at Christies last November photographer, Mike Perry was awarded first prize for one of his photographs of the Walled Garden.  The exhibition is on show at Blenheim Palace from February 13th until March 28th.

New Guide Book and Leaflet

A new Superbly illustrated guidebook to the House and Gardens is now available.  Designed and illustrated by Nick McCann of Heritage House Group who was assisted by Lady Emma Barnard and Richard Pailthorpe, the book is very reasonably priced at £5.  Apart from a wealth of new photographs, it gives a comprehensive guide and history to the house, gardens and parkland.

A new publicity leaflet, based on material produced for the guide book has been produced for 2010.

Season Tickets Available for 2010

The 2010 season tickets for Parham are now ready.  For an application form click here or for more information please go to the Visitor Information Section and look for Season Tickets.

Job Vacancy at Parham

We are currently looking for "Big Kitchen" Seasonal Staff and Garden Volunteers

"BIG KITCHEN" SEASONAL STAFF

During the main season, which runs from Easter until October visitors are served coffees, teas and light lunches from the Elizabethan "Big Kitchen", which still retains its original fireplaces and a splendid 1920s range. The room seats 64 covers and in good weather customers can sit outside in the adjoining courtyard.

Parham receives about 25,000 visitors during the open season, many coming in pre-booked tour groups.

The menu is purposely kept as simple as possible with only one hot dish of the day.

The Seasonal Assistants posts are a part time seasonal role and will require working at  Parham some weekdays and some Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays according to a rota system.

For more details of pay and hours please contact Parham House and Gardens, Storrington, West Sussex.  RH20 4HS.  To discuss the positions further please telephone:  01903 742021.

Vacancy - Garden Volunteers are required to help in the Walled Garden.  (Contact the Head Gardener, Mr Tom Brown, on 01903 742021 for further details)

 Easter 2010 

• Parham House and Gardens will open to the public to start the 2010 season on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday the 4th and 5th of April with an Easter Egg Hunt in the grounds and a children's quiz with prizes in the House.
• See normal opening times in Visitor Information for the 2010 times and prices.

Stitches In Time 2010 - 2nd and 3rd May.

• This years Embroidery and Needlework Exhibition will be held on the first Bank Holiday weekend in May 2010. 

Dovecote Restoration

During 2010 a major restoration of the dovecote will be taking place, with funding from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Themed Guided Walks in the Park will be available free on some Sundays and event days

• Guided Parkland Walks are available during 2010 on some Sundays, Bank Holidays and Event Days.  See this page for future updates.

Parham Garden Nursery - Wonderful selection of cottage-garden perennials for sale from April each year.

• More details will be posted here in the Spring.

Historical Graffiti Talk 28th April 2010

• In conjunction with Weald and Downland Museum. (www.wealddown.co.uk) Book through the Museum's Website shown here.

Parham's Lost Village - Archaeological Investigations. 

• The Worthing Archaeological Society is digging again on the 30th and 31st May 2010

Sussex Guild Craft Event 12th and 13th June

• During the weekend, of the 12th and 13th of June (Saturday and Sunday) in the Pleasure Grounds at Parham House visitors will be able to see more than forty designer makers, all members of the Sussex Guild.  The Guild members will be exhibiting and demonstrating their highly prised skills and beautiful products.  There will be ceramics, woodcarving, leather making, textiles, metalwork and others.
• See Events Page for other craft events.

17th Annual Garden Weekend 10th and 11th July 2010

•  Quality plants and garden products for sale.  Demonstrations and much more.

Ice Cream Sundae at Parham on the 8th August 2010

Sunday 8th August is Ice Cream Sunday at Parham House and Gardens. There will be performances by the Hampshire Regency Dancers who will also be giving a portrayal of an 18th century picnic in the Pleasure Grounds.  Guided walks to Parham's 18th century ice-house will be available.  There will also be the chance to see and take part in ice cream making using traditional methods with Historic Interpretation Group 'Histrionics' and also to sample some wonderful ice cream flavours produced by Caroline's Dairy of Chalder Farm in West Sussex.

Country House Flowers - Sunday 29th and Bank Holiday Monday 30th August. 2010

Stunning Flower arrangements throughout the House with a programme of demonstrations. 

Each week throughout the season Parham is filled with large arrangements of flowers and foliage that are all grown in the garden.  They are still arranged in the same way that Alicia Pearson used when the House was first opened to the public in 1948.  Up to thirty buckets of flowers a week are sent up from the Walled Garden to be arranged by the team of flower ladies and the Head Gardener.  The flowers used will depend on the furnishings and pictures.  They are 'done' in water with wire and pinholders in containers that Mrs Pearson bought for the rooms.  Mrs Pearson's eldest daughter, Veronica, to complement the flowers, has worked the hand-stitched needlework mats under the containers. 

"Tudor Women" Study Day 17th September 2010

• Due to the success of last years Henry VIII study day we have arranged an exciting study day for 2010 on Tudor Women.  More information relating to this study day will be posted here soon.

Autumn Foraging and Countryside Day Sunday 17th October 2010

Autumn Foraging and Countryside Day this year will have something for everyone and is currently in the planning stages.

Lost Village of Parham Archaeological Investigations taking place on the 17th October 2010 at Autumn Foraging and Countryside Day.

• Visit us for Autumn Foraging on the 17th October and see the progress at the archaeological dig on the Old Parsonage site.
• Worthing Archaeological Society will be digging to reveal more of the site of the original parsonage building.