Known as one of England's greatest sporting destinations, the estate is also steeped in history. Goodwood has been the seat of the Duke of Richmond since 1697 when the first Duke visited the area for a fox hunt and subsequently decided to buy the house.
A prominent feature in the 'English summer season' for centuries, the Estate is now best know for its motor and horse racing credentials as the home of the Festival of Speed, Goodwood Revival and The Qatar Goodwood Festival.
With two championship golf courses, shooting, one of England’s oldest cricket grounds, and even the opportunity to take flight from a celebrated Battle of Britain airfield, a trip to Goodwood is English heritage personified.
And, it doesn't stop there. The Goodwood Estate also has an impressive meeting and events offering - so we decided to send our Account Management team and some of their clients to find out more.
Day 1
In just under two hours (from London) you're transported to a lush green estate just waiting to be explored.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and were greeted with a warm welcome and shown to our rooms, all beautifully accented with cosy, country cottage touches, as well as a dreamy freestanding clawfoot bath.
After sending a few quick emails we decided to take full advantage of the Health Club facilities. The Health Club is state-of-the-art, with a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and a gym, along with the amazing addition of the Waterbeach Spa Treatment rooms for the ultimate relaxing break.
Feeling rejuvenated after an afternoon at the spa we headed to the Snug for some welcoming bubbles before jumping on a vintage double-decker to take us to our next destination for dinner.
The Kennels, now a club for members and their dogs, was once the home for the 3rd Duke’s foxhounds. Despite this, it was regarded as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture at the time - lucky dogs. Today, it can be used for any number of special occasions including private dinners, receptions and parties across four spaces, The Library, The Terrace Dining Room, The Putting Green and The Music Room.
We were shown into one of the beautiful intimate private dining spaces, where we were treated to butternut squash velouté, chilli oil & squash beignet, followed by slow-cooked pork belly, kale, buttered mash & celeriac, and mango posset, puree, coconut sorbet & delice for dessert.
Feeling happily full we headed back over to the Goodwood Hotel for a nightcap to get a good night's sleep ahead of our early start the next morning.
Day 2
A quick breakfast got us ready for the day ahead and a tour of the estate. Hopping on the vintage bus once again we were taken over to Goodwood House, a glamorous and historic venue used for various events from conferences for 250 people, large dinner events for up to 180 people and weddings. The State Apartments within the house are home to one of the country’s finest art collections, including paintings by George Stubbs, Canaletto and Van Dyck.
We then headed over for a quick peek at the racetrack and even got to experience the track in a double-decker before popping on over to Hound Lodge, the perfect venue for small groups. The Hound Lodge is self-contained, with 10 double bedrooms and its own private butler and who work around the clock. It's ideal for team away weekends and even private hire for super special occasions.
We hitched a ride in some Vintage Land Rovers to begin our off roading experience through the beautiful landscape of the Goodwood Estate. We quickly split into three teams and set off with dash-cams on and our designated instructors giving us a guided tour right up until we got to the top of the estate. As you would imagine the views were stunning and the dusting of snow made it even more beautiful.
From here we began the off-roading experience back down through the woods, which was a real highlight-you really get a feel for just how vast, versatile and beautiful the Estate is (and have a lot of fun in the process). There's a lot of fun and various activities to be enjoyed at Goodwood Estate that can be arranged for groups as part of your stay, including driving experiences, corporate golf games, flying and even clay pigeon shooting-there’s something to suit everyone.
After our driving experience we headed back to grab our bags and reluctantly headed home.
If you'd like to find out more or enquire about an event at the Goodwood Estate get in touch with the team at amteam@hirespace.com.
More about Goodwood
The Goodwood Estate really is a unique place to hold events, whether it's a meeting, a wedding, a conference or team building day the quintessentially English touches paired with breathtaking countryside provide a backdrop to remember. With a plethora of activities to add on to any event, the experience can be tailored exclusively to you.
Goodwood House
Set at the very heart of the Estate, Goodwood House is the most striking location for any event, from dinner parties and weddings to conferences and team building.
The Goodwood Hotel
The Goodwood Hotel, is a flexible venue that offers a variety of room sizes and styles. From residential conferences and annual off-site meetings, to intimate or private dining celebrations, there's a space to suit the occasion.
The Kennels
For a more intimate and stylish space, The Kennels is perfect for a range of different occasions including meetings and training sessions, or celebratory lunches and private dinner.
The Motor Circuit
There are two trackside venues to choose from, the Race Control building and the Jackie Stewart Pavilion. The circuit is available for a wide range of events including automotive events, film and TV shoots, and other sporting events.
The Racecourse
Set on top of the Sussex Downs, this iconic part of the estate is an inspiring spot for a meeting or special celebration.