Uppark House
Uppark
A 17th-century country house on the South Downs, carefully restored after a 1989 fire. H. G. Wells spent part of his childhood here.
Uppark was built around 1690 on the top of the South Downs, with views over the English Channel. A fire in 1989 nearly destroyed the mansion, and the National Trust spent six years restoring it to its original appearance. It has become a model of historic building restoration in Britain. The interior preserves an 18th-century dolls' house and furniture. H. G. Wells's mother worked here as a housekeeper, and he spent his youth in the servants' quarters on the ground floor. It is managed by the National Trust, with an admission fee of about £17, and visitors need to travel by car.
Opening hours
March–October, approx. 11:00–16:00 (check website)
Nearby sights
- Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
- Bosham
- West Dean Gardens
- Weald and Downland Living Museum
- Fishbourne Roman Palace
- Itchenor & Chichester Harbour Water Tours
- The Trundle (St Roche's Hill)
- Chichester Festival Theatre