Goodwood House

The Treasures of Goodwood: the best of England, Scotland and France.

The Yellow Drawing Room

The Dukes of Richmond are the proud possessors of one of the finest and most representative of English art collections. Since the recent four year restoration by the Earl of March, son and heir to the present Duke, the walls are fully hung with both British and European paintings, and the rooms furnished with French and English furniture of the finest quality.

Lions by George Stubbs

This is a classic English collection, further invigorated by acquisitions from France and Scotland. Louise de Keroualle, the beautiful and aristocratic French mistress of King Charles II, had accumulated royal and family portraits, which her grandson the 2nd Duke complemented with Grand Tour purchases, culminating in the first English commissions given to Canaletto. He was also very involved in the new Palladian movement, building the breathtaking pavilion and Shell House, and commissioning fireplaces and chairs by William Kent, originally for Richmond House but now at Goodwood.

Door Plates, Egyptian Dining Room

The 3rd Duke not only added another layer of superb portraits, but also from his time as Ambassador to Paris, Gobelins tapestries and furniture by the greatest French 18th century cabinet makers; he commissioned a Sèvres dinner service, now shown in the delightful circular Card Room, while his racehorses were painted by George Stubbs. The 3rd Duke was the builder of the great Regency State

Apartments, including the Egyptian Dining Room. These rooms were designed for entertaining and to this day are used for parties.

Chair by William Kent

Through marriage the Dukes of Richmond inherited the Gordon estates in Scotland and, in 1876, the 6th Duke of Richmond was created Duke of Gordon. Scottish items are on show in the Supper Room. To this day the Duke of Richmond is also Duke of Lennox, Gordon, and Aubigny. Visitors from both Scotland and France will feel at home at Goodwood.

Sèvres plate

The importance of the art collection of the Dukes of Richmond is further represented in the fact that Goodwood is one of a few great private houses to employ a full time curator.

We welcome to the house visitors with a huge range of historical, artistic, and domestic interests, be it in kings and queens, marine paintings, women's lives, the Regency style, the Edwardian period, sporting art, landscape, the history of horseracing and the history of cricket. We hope to encourage your interests and to develop your enthusiasms.

Having lectured for many years to adult education groups, especially NADFAS, the National Trust, and Open University students, I especially welcome visitors from these organisations. I hope to be able to help with your specific enquiries on Open Day Monday afternoons during the summer season, and look forward to welcoming you to this great Sussex house. We can also sometimes take short notice groups of at least 20 people during the winter.

Rosemary Baird, Curator of the Goodwood Collection

	For further information, please contact the Curator: email: curator@goodwood.co.uk • Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755000 • Facsimile: +44 (0)1243 755005