GOODWOOD'S HOUND LODGE
Goodwood's spectacular 12,000-acre estate has a magnificent 10-bedroom country retreat – spend time away from it all and escape the hectic pace of modern life
In the middle of Goodwood's spectacular 12,000-acre estate, life flows at a different pace. This magnificent 10-bedroom country retreat is yours to experience in its entirety, offering a rare opportunity to spend time away from it all and escape the hectic pace of modern life
NESTLED WITHIN THE Goodwood Estate's 12,000 acres, this 21st-century retreat offers an unforgettable taste of the country pursuits of the past. The estate's continued wellbeing depends on the commercial viability of the many different operations undertaken. Internationally renowned, the superb racecourse on top of the South Downs is the home of one of horse-racing's annual occasions, the Qatar Goodwood Festival in July. Sharing the same elevated position is ‘The Downs', one of the two 18-hole golf courses on the estate. The airfield, from which Douglas Bader flew in World War II, is still home to two Spitfires, one a two-seater. Aviation fans can enjoy a Dream-Escape-arranged flying lesson with a private pilot as part of the stay. Around the perimeter is a track circuit, which, in its heyday, staged the finest of motor-racing. The circuit remains true to its original form, and the facilities are intact, hosting many track days and, of course, the annual ‘Revival' meeting, when enthusiasts, usually in vintage clothing, bring
together all manner of historic and classic cars, some to race and others simply for ‘show'. The third of the major events in the Goodwood social calendar is the Festival of Speed, in July, where fans of the very fastest two- and four-wheeled vehicles have all their senses stimulated by the amazing exhibits and the antics of the car drivers. Significantly, there is the excellent Goodwood Hotel, a gracious, rural resting-place; The Kennels, a members' club overlooking the parkland golf course; Farmer, Butcher, Chef – its flagship sustainable, field-to-fork restaurant, and, just yards away, the organic Home Farm, a successful and expanding agricultural operation that embraces local-breed livestock, dairy and the various arable crops necessary to provide both animal feed and the barley for the Goodwood ales and lagers. Under the inspired direction of Conor Haydon, Goodwood's Farm Manager, this thriving enterprise not only wins prizes for its live show-entries but also for its cheeses. The on-site butchery is an invaluable source of quality organic produce for the region's best hotels and restaurants. Leisure pursuits, such as off-roading, clay- and rough-shooting, rambling and cross-country cycling can all be arranged as part of your stay on the huge estate.
The Dukes of Richmond have held Goodwood since the 17th century and, until post-war death duty liabilities, an enormous tract of land in the highlands of Scotland, including Glenfiddich and its distillery. It is many, many years since hunting took place, and just as long since the legendary packs of hounds required the handsome accommodation provided for them – the kennel buildings had central heating long before the family house. That Palladian gem has long been home to the social members, but the old breeding kennels, tucked away in the quiet woods beyond, lay neglected until the Duke of Richmond stretched his imagination and conceived a new venture.
Hound Lodge, as it is now known, is an exclusive-use private residence with 10 luxurious en-suite bedrooms, sleeping a maximum of 20 guaranteeing the ultimate in personal attention. It is a grand, secluded cottage, meticulously refurbished, designed, furnished and decorated, but with clear echoes of a bygone age in its drawing room (filled with random comfort and cultured 'clutter') and its dining hall, the mahogany table seemingly endless. You are warmly greeted, having negotiated the electric gates and the short drive through lightly maintained woodland, by the Goodwood butler, at your service for the duration of your stay.
Your warm welcome continues, with the offer of a pot of tea, accompanied by a lemon-and-yoghurt cake, freshly baked by the Lodge's personal chef. Relaxing at your leisure, it is possible to take in the sheer quality of the interior design, carried out over three years of thought, sourcing, acquisition and accumulation by Cindy Leveson, augmented by pieces from the family's art collections. With a nod to the building's history, each of the immaculate bedrooms is named after one of the favourite hounds in the second Duke's 1738 pack, the ‘Glorious Twenty-Three'.
‘ Leisure pursuits, such as off-roading, clay- and rough-shooting, rambling and cross-country cycling can all be arranged as part of your stay on the huge estate'
My room was ‘Ruby' and, like the others, was perfect for its purpose. Decorated in restful, neutral tones, and overlooking the puppies' romping quarters, the spacious area was lightly furnished in antique mahogany, a contrasting chaise longue and a blissfully comfortable bed, said to be stuffed with wool from Goodwood sheep. Each room has dog bowls and baskets, portraits and prints, in a nod to the building's canine heritage, and a small carafe of Glenfiddich, a hint of Scotland. After a day's activity on the estate, no matter how energetic, it is paradise to cast off the outerwear and retire to the drawing room for pre-dinner drinks – there's an open fire for chilly evenings – and anticipation of the bespoke menu to come.
The 20-seater dining table might be for meetings during the day, but comes into its own in the evening when decked with candelabra, floral displays and place settings.
All menu choices, but particularly those featuring the home-reared beef, lamb or pork, are sensational and the accompanying wines, selected by your butler if you wish, are of the highest order. Suitably well fed and refreshed, perhaps consider a nightcap before retiring?
The ever-attentive staff will see to it, before leaving you to comfort and privacy.
The silence around the Lodge at night is impenetrable and, after a good sleep, a civilised breakfast awaits, with no pressure to hurry the pleasure. It is unfair to single out any one component for mention, but the home-cured back bacon is a dream, and the local honey has a punch of intensity as powerful as the cars on the Goodwood track.