Cowdray, a 16,500-acre estate located around Midhurst, West Sussex, is steeped in heritage and history
Encompassing Cowdray House, a Heritage site, Wellbeing Centre, Polo Club, Golf Club, award-winning Farm Shop and Café, Holiday Cottages and more, the estate has evolved considerably over the past few years.
Recent developments include the conversion of Cowdray House from a family home into a venue available for exclusive-use hire. The house is suitable for a range of events, from country house parties and corporate retreats, to weddings and celebrations.
It sits at the heart of the estate and has expansive views across the countryside, stunning gardens and elegant interiors. In addition, the estate has refurbished four Holiday Cottages and extensively renovated the Golf Lodge, which accommodates 14 people and is located close to Cowdray’s own championship 18-hole golf course.
From the sweeping driveway and manicured grounds to the beautiful reception rooms, Cowdray House offers the utmost in style, sophistication and comfort. The house has 15 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, most of which have beautiful far-reaching views over the South Downs.
The North Wing, attached to the House, has a further six bedrooms. Buck Hall, with its vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and minstrel’s gallery, is the focal point of the house. The library and drawing room are elegantly decorated and open onto the front terrace. Guests can also relax in the stylish yet cosy morning room. Cowdray House lends itself to both large parties and more intimate gatherings, while still retaining the warmth of a family home.
In addition to exciting developments at Cowdray House, the estate has also overseen the renovation of the Tower Room. Located at the top of a stone spiral staircase, in the sole remaining tower at Cowdray Heritage Site, the space has been transformed into a stunning hexagonal shaped Renaissance Art Studio. Artist in residence David Cranswick holds regular workshops here, covering a range of painting techniques and skills.
The Golf Lodge has been renovated throughout, with rooms demonstrating a modern, more minimal style – textured fabrics enrich a predominantly neutral palette. Work on a standalone
2 bothy, an intimate suite only yards from the Golf Club and Lodge, has also been recently completed. It has unrivalled views of the Cowdray Ruins and the world-famous polo lawns.
The estate has refurbished and modernised its Holiday Cottages, which offer suitable accommodation for families, friends and couples alike. Located at the edge of the woods, close to Benbow Pond, visitors can enjoy all the activities available on Cowdray Estate from clay pigeon shooting and fly fishing, to a round of golf on Cowdray’s 18-hole championship golf course. Polo lessons can also be arranged.
The nearby award-winning Cowdray Farm
Shop & Café sells an array of seasonal and local produce, alongside estate-reared meats, charcuteries and artisan cheeses. For those willing to embrace a challenge, Bear Grylls’ 24-hour survival courses will take place on the estate from March.
Finally, wellness is an integral aspect of the Cowdray ethos, as evidenced by the newly created Therapy Rooms – used by practitioners of shiatsu, nutritional therapy, osteopaths and homeopaths. There is also a dedicated Wellbeing Centre at Cowdray Hall, which is a venue for yoga, pilates, mindfulness and meditation, with classes open to locals and visitors alike.
CEO Jonathan Russell comments “It has been my pleasure to help write Cowdray’s current chapter, sensitively updating our beautiful and historic estate so our team may continue to welcome new generations to this very special corner of England.”
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