Goodwood House

Goodwood House is a country house in West Sussex in southern England. It is the seat of the Dukes of Richmond. Several architects have contributed to the design of the house, including James Wyatt. It was the intention to build the house to a unique octagonal layout, but only three of the eight sides were built. Some of the older parts of the house also survive, although some sections were demolished in the mid 20th century. The house has opulent neo-classical interiors and is open to the public on a limited number of days per year. It is also available to hire for weddings and corporate events.

The surrounding Goodwood Estate is a major sport and leisure venue featuring Goodwood Racecourse, home of the Glorious Goodwood flatracing festival, which is one of the highlights of the English social season; Chichester/Goodwood Airport and Goodwood Circuit; and the Goodwood Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club. The immediate grounds of the house also play host to the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, which has rapidly become a major event in the diary of all fans, participants and companies associated with motor racing.

Within the grounds is a golf course, as well as a members only clubhouse known as "The Kennels", originally built for the hounds of the 3rd Duke of Richmond [http://media.goodwood.co.uk/kennels/pdf/KennelsBrochure.pdf] . Outside the grounds is the hotel, formerly a franchise of Marriott and now independently run by the Goodwood company.

In 1982, the Goodwood estate played host to the World Road Cycling Championships. The women's race was won by Great Britain's Mandy Jones, while the men's professional race was taken out by Giuseppe Saronni, who launched a devastating sprint in the final 300 metres to overtake the USA's Greg Lemond (who would win the title the following year) and local favourite, Seán Kelly from Ireland.

The Monarch's Way long-distance footpath crosses the downs from west to east, passing immediately south of the racecourse. The Goodwood House also looks directly over the cricket pitch, home to the Goodwood Cricket Club.

References

External links

* [http://www.goodwood.co.uk/ Goodwood Estate main site]
* [http://www.goodwood.co.uk/house/ Goodwood House site]
* [http://www.dicamillocompanion.com/Houses_hgpm.asp?ID=863 Goodwood House entry from The DiCamillo Companion to British & Irish Country Houses]
* [http://media.goodwood.co.uk/generic/pdf/goodwoodbrochure.pdf Brochure with many pictures of the house] (PDF file, 4.5 MB)