About Petersfield

Petersfield is a market town set in the beautiful countryside of the South Downs, around 50 miles (one hour by car or train) in a south-westerly direction from London.

Accommodation

We recommend three excellent B&B’s for people attending our training courses. The Village Inn, Buriton (click here to visit website); Pearfield B&B (click here to visit website); and Border Cottage (click here to visit website) have been making our clients feel at home for a number of years and the last two are just a short walk from our centre. There are also rooms at The Old Drum in thw town centre. If you want a hotel-type environment, the Premier Inn near the A3 has always had good reports of clean rooms and good service. If you are having difficulty finding accommodation, please call us on 01730 233 414.

The Natural Food Deli cafe, downstairs at Worcester House

We are very fortunate to have underneath our centre the excellent and very popular Natural Food Deli. Olivia and her team offer excellent service in their bright airy cafe oriented towards healthy fare, a significant vegetarian and vegan menu, excellent coffee and speciality teas, raw, gluten-free and regular cakes. The cafe is open 0830-1600 Monday to Saturday.

We heartily recommend a stopping in before or after your visit to Worcester House.

Madelaine’s Deli, Lavant Street

Currently operating as shop and takeaway only, this is a very worthwhile stop for lunch, snacks and coffee is less than 10 minutes walk up towards the station, Madelaines offers an imaginative deli counter with many unique rceiptes alongside standard favourites (including perhaps the world’s best sausage roll). There are home made soups, stews, pastries, sandwiches, and cakes including a great vegetarian selection, to take away.  French-trained Antonia and her friendly team offer excellent service and the store also carries a wonderful range of top-notch delicacies and chocolates.

Restaurants

Petersfield has an excellent selection of bars and restaurants, including local favourite, Annie Jones in Lavant Street, now focused mainly on Tapas, Lemon Grass Thai restaurant in Dragon Street and for italian, La Piazzetta in the Square. There are two excellent Indians: Spice Lounge in the square, and Malabon in Dragon Street. There is a large Pizza Express. Tucked away in an alley off Waitrose car part is Fez, a cosy Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern bistro.

Coffee shops, bars and pubs in town

When staying overnight and looking for somewhere to have a drink or snack we can recommend four town centre bars: The George in the Square; the Old Drum in Chapel Street. To sit outdoors in the square for coffee, Cafe Nero, Cloisters and the George are your choices.

Country pubs

We are spoilt for country pubs. Closest to Petersfield is ever-popular Queen’s Head in Sheet. The Harrow in Steep is a tiny gem ideal for its garden in good weather. The Five Bells in Buriton, a mile South of Petersfield is another long-term favourite close by. Slightly further but still within 10-15 mins drive check out The Three Horseshoes (very busy on Summer weekends) at Elsted for an excellent menu and stunning views, or the The Hawkley Inn on the Alton side of town. Under new management and offering a very good menu and a particularly relaxed vibe, further along towards Elsted Marsh is the Elsted Inn.

Shopping

Petersfield High Street has good selection of shops including Waitrose and Marks & Spencer food stores. There is also a Lidl just beyond the station. In Lavant Street, the Bran Tub is our excellent local health food store and Madeleine’s offers high quality deli food.

Local attractions

Features of the historic market town of Petersfield include the Physic Garden, Petersfield Musuem, The Flora Twort Gallery and the the Heath. The South Downs offer excellent walking country with many breath-taking views. If you have time, drive via South Harting to the National Trust area of Harting Down, and walk out across the first field for a stunning 360 degree view as far as the coast.

The historic naval centre of Portsmouth is only 30 minutes away. Midhurst and Petworth are charming Sussex towns along the A272 to the east and Winchester, an ancient capital of England to the west.