Goodwood House

Goodwood is one of the most unusual architecturally of England's great houses. It started as a gentleman's residence, built in the reign of James I. The 1st Duke of Richmond was visiting here as early as 1689, when he was only 17, and used to come regularly for the foxhunting in the nearby village of Charlton. In 1697 he purchased the Jacobean house.

This 'old house', as it is usually called, is now the section at the back. It was developed through the 18th century. Its main hall was classicised in 1730, and between 1747-50 a handsome Palladian style south wing was added in Portland stone. A balancing north wing by James Wyatt was taken down in the late 1960s.

Contact info:
email: curator@goodwood.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755000
Facsimile: +44 (0)1243 755005

The great Regency state apartments at Goodwood House were added to the south wing from 1800 by the architect James Wyatt, together with the round towers. These wings and towers are in flint, an unusual material for a house of this size, which looks wonderful in the early morning or evening light, in the hoar frost or snow.

The new large rooms were intended for entertaining and are used as such to this day. They house the earlier art collection, collected through the late 17th and 18th centuries, much of which had previously adorned Richmond House, the family's London home. This town house had been destroyed by fire in 1791.

Goodwood House looks like three sides of an octagon, and it used to be thought that it was intended to build the complete figure, but this has never been proved. It is not known what the intentions were when this somewhat picturesque shape was devised, but the layout certainly works perfectly for a private family home combining with grand public apartments. The House has recently been refurbished by the Earl and Countess of March, giving it an up to date sense of the Regency, with strong colours and stylish curtains and fabrics. We welcome not only historic house visitors, but also enthusiasts of motorsport and horseracing and of a multitude of other interests, who invariably find that as a lively private family home at the centre of a vibrant estate, Goodwood has a fascination and an appeal all of its own.