Parham Park

Parham Park is a large country house of considerable importance, dating back to the medieval period with substantial alterations and additions from the late 16th century onwards. An earlier fortified house existed on the site, with remnants incorporated into the east wing. The main structure was built beginning in 1577 by Sir Thomas Palmer and subsequently sold to Sir Thomas Bisshopp, whose family retained ownership until 1922.

The house is constructed of malmstone, Hythe sandstone, Pulborough sandrock, and ferricrete rubble, with ashlar quoins, a Horsham slab roof, and brick chimneys. The main south front is arranged in an “E” shape, with three bays and nine windows. The projecting wings terminate in gables. A central porch, originally the main entrance, features two sash windows above it and a gable; the doorway is embellished with pilasters, a projecting cornice, and a cartouche with flanking swags. Smaller gabled projections are situated at the angles of the outer wings, with a single gabled dormer window on each side of the porch gable. Below the west wing are three tall, narrow windows to the Great Hall, each featuring four tiers of three lights with stone mullions and transoms. Below the east wing are three sash windows with intact glazing bars. The majority of the windows on the south front are original casement windows.

The west front was altered around 1710 by Sir Cecil Bisshopp, and is arranged with three bays and five windows. The central bay projects, defined by long and short ashlar quoins and surmounted by a pediment. The flanking bays are recessed, and projecting chimney breasts with similar quoins are located outside them. The outer bays terminate in pediments. The windows are predominantly casement, although some sash windows have been inserted, retaining their original glazing bars.

The north front is irregular. A porch, added in 1870, provides the entrance and is flanked by octagonal buttresses with ogee heads. A squat, two-story detached tower is situated at the north-east corner, linked to the main house by a wall.

The interior largely dates to the 16th century, although at least one room exhibits 18th-century style. The Long Gallery occupies the top floor, featuring dormer windows.