Discover Petersfield

What makes Petersfield a suitable destination for your stay? The town can be explored through a range of interests: collections on local and regional history, a listed church building, a garden programme about the use of medicinal plants in the 17th century, and activities at Petersfield Heath. First consider which subjects and time period matter for your trip, then look for a hotel in Petersfield.

Museum, literature and local history

The Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery tells the story of Petersfield and the surrounding villages through archaeology, art, fashion, literature, photography, poetry and social history. Its range of subjects offers several cultural perspectives on the area. The museum also houses the Edward Thomas Centre, which holds books, artworks and artefacts about the life and enduring influence of Edward Thomas, poet, writer and literary critic. This brings together a broad view of Petersfield and the surrounding villages with a collection devoted to a single literary figure. If literature interests you, the Centre offers a dedicated focus within the museum.

Church and architecture

St Peter’s Church at The Square is a Grade I listed building and has an arcaded Norman chancel arch. Unlike the museum, with its varied collection topics, the church can be characterised by its listed status and this named architectural feature. If you include culture and architecture in your travel plans, the two places offer different focuses: here, a varied account of history; there, a specific feature of ecclesiastical architecture.

Medicinal plants at Petersfield Physic Garden

At Petersfield Physic Garden, tours and talks are aimed at interested groups, garden clubs and schools. They focus on the use of medicinal plants in the 17th century. This gives the programme a different emphasis from the museum and church: its focus is a specific historical period and the use of plants. If you are considering including this kind of activity in your trip, arrange it before you arrive. This is particularly important for scheduling if you are visiting as a group, garden club or school.

Petersfield Heath: pond, boats and Taro Fair

Petersfield Heath covers about 69 acres of land and includes a 22-acre pond. Boats can be hired on Petersfield Heath Pond in summer. This option is seasonal. The Taro Fair follows a different schedule: it is held annually on 6 October at Petersfield Heath, except when that date falls on a Sunday. Boat hire and the fair therefore follow different schedules—one is tied to summer, while the other takes place on a recurring annual date, with an exception for Sundays. If either activity matters to your trip, confirm availability or arrangements for the relevant year.

Local produce

Petersfield Farmers’ Market offers food and drink from Hampshire directly from the producers. If local produce is among your travel interests, it offers a distinct focus alongside culture and countryside. Market arrangements can change, so check the current schedule if you want to plan your visit around it. This also helps you distinguish the market from the seasonal boat hire and the annual event on the Heath when planning your trip.

Plan your stay around your interests

Two questions can help you decide whether to choose Petersfield as a travel destination: which subjects would you like to prioritise, and are your travel dates tied to a particular activity? The museum, Edward Thomas Centre and church cater to different cultural interests. At the Heath, a seasonal option and an annual event coincide; the market has its own, changeable arrangements. The garden programme is aimed at specific groups and should be arranged in advance. Once your travel plans are set, you can take suitable dates into account and then look for a hotel in Petersfield for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Damerham, Hordle, Stroud, Herriard, Fordingbridge, Wickham, Bishop's Waltham, Sandleheath.

For the broader travel overview: Hampshire.