the kennels clubhouse newsletter
SPRING EDITION
Welcome to the eleventh edition of Woof!
I am delighted to ring in the new year with all of you and share the exciting plans and stories we have for the months ahead. As we move through the winter and into spring, this issue is filled with updates that celebrate the unique heritage, experiences and flavours that make The Kennels and Goodwood so special.
In this edition, we take a look at the rich history of Goodwood’s most loyal residents—our dogs— whose stories have intertwined with the Goodwood Estate, for generations. From portraits of beloved spaniels in the 17th century, to tales of Pekingese royalty in the 19th century, the bond between Goodwood and its canine companions continues to this day.
You’ll also find our Calendar of Events for February to May, showcasing experiences such as afternoon teas, quiz nights, talks, a clay shoot and expert-led masterclasses. Highlights include the return of our popular Goodwood Culinary Academy Apprentice Dinner, where our talented apprentices will craft a bespoke menu for National Apprenticeship Week, and a unique Green Therapy talk to explore the deep-rooted connection between gardening and mental wellbeing.
Lastly, turn to our recipe page for an exclusive Wild Garlic Pesto recipe from our Head Chef, Dan Turner—perfect for adding a touch of estate-grown goodness to your spring dishes.
We look forward to seeing you at The Kennels.
Ellie Cundy
The Kennels and Hound Lodge General Manager
DOGS AT GOODWOOD
Goodwood Curator, Clementine de la Poer Beresford shares the history of Goodwood’s most important resident: the dog.
Since the 17th century, when the 1st Duke of Richmond first bought the Goodwood Estate, dogs have been part of the family. A quick glance at the paintings inside Goodwood House reveals that dogs dominate the canvases and that family members have always held their trusty hounds in high esteem.
Spaniels have long been a favourite. In a painting from the 1680s, a lively-looking spaniel drinks water at the feet of Louise de Keroualle, mother of the 1st Duke of Richmond. At the time, Spaniels were associated with Charles II, and so the inclusion was a nod to Louise’s position as the King’s mistress. Louise’s greatgrandson, the 3rd Duke of Richmond, was so fond of his two liver-coloured Sussex Spaniels that he could not bear to be without them when he embarked on the Grand Tour in 1755. The pair travelled with him to Rome, where they were painted alongside their master by Pompeo Batoni. The Duke let them take centre-stage and one in particular steals the limelight, looking adoringly at the Duke and resting his paw loyally on his sleeve. It is telling that when George Stubbs came to Goodwood to capture on canvas the sporting activities on the estate in 1759/60, the Duke again chose his Sussex Spaniels to feature; they appear in two of the three scenes he produced, Shooting at Goodwood and Racehorses Exercising at Goodwood The Duke’s fondness for dogs was well known, so much so that in 1782, his wife’s half-sister, Anne Damer, carved for him two sleeping dogs (a spaniel and a poodle) in marble. The 3rd Duke’s nephew, the 4th Duke of Richmond, also had a softspot for the Spaniel, naming his Blücher, after the Prussian general. Blücher even accompanied him on his tour of Upper Canada in 1819. The trip brought tragedy though, when Blücher was attacked by a pet fox; when trying to separate them, the Duke received a nasty bite from the fox, caught rabies, and died shortly afterwards. Spaniels were by no means the only favoured breed; until the end of the 19th century, foxhounds were also a familiar sight on the estate. The 1st Duke of Richmond bought Goodwood in 1697 as a place to stay to go foxhunting with the fashionable Charlton Hunt, the oldest foxhunt in England. As Master of the Charlton Hunt, the 2nd Duke of Richmond, knew each of the hounds by their names and markings; he kept a notebook documenting their pedigrees, taking an active interest in their breeding (remarkably, this still exists in Goodwood’s library). When the hounds moved from Charlton to Goodwood under the tenure of the 3rd Duke, they were given a new state-of-the-art kennels close to Goodwood House. Costing £6,000 and designed by King George III’s architect, James Wyatt, no expense was spared. Function combined with form in the aesthetic design of The Kennels; classical ideals of symmetry, harmony and proportion ensured the building had an elegance and grandeur that at the time superseded Goodwood House. The building even had central heating – family and friends staying at Goodwood House would not enjoy the same luxury for another 100 years! When the hunt was revived in 1883, new kennels were constructed over the road in the form of Hound Lodge, now a beautifully restored ten-bedroom property, perfect for entertaining and with the old kennels still intact in the garden.
The late 19th century also saw the arrival of a new breed to Goodwood, the Pekingese. In 1860, when the Old Summer Palace in Peking was destroyed by British troops during the Second Opium War, five Pekingese dogs were discovered. One was presented to Queen Victoria and two to Frances, Duchess of Richmond, named Guh and Meh. These were the first ever Pekingese dogs in England.
Today, all sorts of breeds can be spotted on the estate. Whether enjoying a cup of coffee at The Kennels, where dogs can also have their very own membership, accompanying their humans on the golf courses, or taking a walk through the grounds; you will be hard-pressed not to see someone accompanied by their favourite canine companion. Dogs remain very much part of the Goodwood family and are no better celebrated than at Goodwoof, a dog event like no other, held this year on 17 – 18 May by The Kennels, right where Goodwood’s love affair with dogs began.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY – MAY 2025
Afternoon Tea at The Kennels
Saturday 22 February, Saturday 29 March, Saturday 19 April and Saturday 10 May
A quintessential afternoon tea with Kennels’ touches. Delight in an array of sandwiches, homemade scones with jam and organic clotted cream and a tempting selection of cakes. And don’t forget, a barking good afternoon tea for your much-loved dog is also available.
Quiz
Thursday 20 February, Thursday 20 March, Thursday 24 April and Thursday 22 May
Quizmaster Jamie Rockall will put your general knowledge to the test for the 2025 quiz league. Which team will be crowned this year’s champions?
The Apprentice Dinner
Thursday 13 February
The Goodwood Culinary Academy Apprentice Dinner brings together Goodwood’s culinary apprentices who, under the careful direction of Goodwood’s Executive Chef, Mike Watts and The Kennels’ Head Chef, Dan Turner will create a bespoke three-course menu to showcase their skills in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week.
Valentine’s Day
Friday 14 February
What better way to celebrate your love than in the comfort and beauty of The Kennels. You will be welcomed with the sounds of our live pianist in the reception area as you enjoy a glass of Ridgeview English sparkling wine before indulging in a three-course dinner, along with a pre-starter and finishing with chocolate truffles.
Green Therapy: The Psychological Roots of Gardening Talk
Thursday 27 February
Join horticulture expert, Beverley Exall as she hosts a unique talk about the psychology involved in our ‘need to garden.’
Spring Calligraphy Masterclass
Wednesday 5 March
Relax and unwind as you discover the beauty of Modern Calligraphy in this beginnerfriendly workshop. Learn the essential techniques of modern calligraphy, from basic strokes to elegant letterforms, while exploring how to dip into different coloured inks to create vibrant, eye-catching compositions.
Behind The Fields: A Stroll with Goodwood’s Farm Manager
Saturday 8 March
A unique opportunity to explore the Goodwood Home Farm on foot, guided by Home Farm’s Manager, Harry Holt. Learn about the estate’s rich history in organic farming with an exclusive behind the scenes tour and talk.
An Evening with Justin Audibert
Thursday 13 March
We are delighted to be joined by Justin Audibert, Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre, as he introduces the 2025 Festival season. Justin will reveal some of the stories behind this year’s much-anticipated programme of new plays, musicals and classic dramas.
Clay Shoot
Saturday 15 March
Get ready to take aim and fire at The Goodwood Clay Shoot. Whether you are a novice or a crack-shot, our skilled instructors offer expert tuition based on your level of ability. Enjoy a morning at the shoot ground, before returning to The Kennels for a two-course lunch.
Perfume Making Masterclass
Thursday 27 March
Expert perfumer, Sara Lucia, takes you on a journey into the world of scent creation, where you can craft your own personalised fragrance. This hands-on workshop will guide you through the art of blending top, middle and base notes, using the finest essential oils, to create a truly unique fragrance.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea
Saturday 29 March
Celebrate the remarkable women in your life with a special celebration. Indulge in a delightful selection of afternoon tea treats. Create cherished moments and express your appreciation for the women who make a difference every day.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Mother’s Day Lunch
Sunday 30 March
Honour the mothers and women in your life with a delicious two or three-course Sunday lunch. Let us take care of the details, while you take care and spoil that special someone who deserves a treat.
Easter Chocolate Masterclass
Wednesday 2 April
Join award-winning chocolatier Mike Noble, of Noble and Stace, for an immersive chocolate-making experience. Learn to craft rich, dark chocolate ganache shells as Mike shares expert techniques and tips before getting hands-on with decorating to create your own unique and indulgent treats.
Easter Sunday Lunch
Sunday 20 April
Make the most of the long weekend with a delicious two or three-course Sunday lunch featuring the best seasonal produce from Goodwood Home Farm, where every dish is a celebration of the season.
Bluebell Walk
Tuesday 29 April
A unique experience amidst the stunning beauty of the bluebells. Join Julia Corden as she leads you through the Valdoe, a protected ancient woodland accessible only by special permission for this event.
Wild Garlic Masterclass
Wednesday 30 April
Spend the morning with horticultural expert Julia Corden as she takes you on a foraging walk and shares her knowledge on wild garlic before returning to The Kennels for a curated lunch using wild garlic foraged from the woods of Goodwood.
The Kennels’ Book Club
Stable to Starting Gate: Journey of a Goodwood Racehorse
Wednesday 7 May
Let us take you behind the scenes for a unique opportunity to experience the journey of horse and rider on a Goodwood race day. You will discover the stories and secrets firsthand from the experts that make it all happen.
La Grande Dame, Garden Gastronomy Champagne Dinner
Thursday 8 May
Join us for an exclusive evening with Veuve Clicquot, where we invite you to indulge in a curated four-course dinner paired with a selection of Champagnes from the Maison de Veuve Clicquot, showcasing their La Grande Dame range.
Silver Wings, Red Arrows: The Story of an RAF Commanding Officer
Thursday 15 May
Join pilot Ian “Smithy” Smith for an exclusive evening talk, where he will share stories from his impressive career as an RAF Commanding Officer to his flight around the world in a silver Spitfire.
To book your space on one of our events, please visit goodwood.com or email kennelsreservations@goodwood.com
We are also always looking for new ideas for events at The Kennels, so please do feel free to send recommendations or suggestions to ellie.cundy@goodwood.com
Please note that there will be a discretionary service charge of 8% on selected calendar of events which will be charged on the day of the event.
Are you a book lover? Do you enjoy talking about books? Join the brand-new Kennels book club – no formalities – just fantastic reads and engaging conversation. Email Catherine.Gillett@goodwood.com to sign up or express your interest. We’d love to have you join us!
Horseracing: Family Race Day Sunday 8 June Festival of Speed, presented by Mastercard Thursday 1o – Sunday 13 July
Horseracing: Qatar Goodwood Festival
Horseracing: Season Finale
Sunday 12 October
A CELEBRATION OF FOOD ON THE ESTATE
Goodwood’s approach to food truly distinguishes us. Dining at any of the Estate’s restaurants allows you to experience firsthand our unique commitment to organic farming, sustainability and biodiversity. Our sustainable farming practices are a point of pride and within the estate lies our self-sustaining, fully organic Goodwood Home Farm, complete with an onsite dairy and butcher to ensure the highest quality food is produced.
The Goodwood Estate has been family-farmed for over 300 years, making it one of Europe’s oldest self-sustaining organic farms. This dedication to organic principles allows us to produce exceptional beef, pork, and lamb, all raised free-range on the estate.
The Kennels’ Head Chef, Dan Turner, creates seasonal menus based on the symbiotic relationship between location and quality of produce. On this farm to fork ethos, he says “I truly appreciate that Goodwood remains true to its heritage. We have an incredible organic farm, so the fact that I can walk to the farm shop and speak directly with the butcher before selecting the meats we will be serving for Sunday lunch is so important to me.”
This ethos does not stop at the Home Farm. Goodwood’s farm-to-fork dining is possible due to the skilled and talented team, which is on hand at every step of the process. This team is comprised of experts in their fields, with dedicated farmers, a master butcher — one of only a few hundred who practice the craft in the UK — an artisan cheesemaker, and a brigade of passionate chefs.
Off the farm, Goodwood is dedicated to the development of future culinary talent as established in The Goodwood Culinary Academy, which helps to inspire, support and encourage young people from the local community to pursue careers in the industry.
Dan started as an apprentice at Goodwood and he uses his training and experience to mentor young people starting out on their culinary career. It is here that apprentice chefs receive hands-on experience throughout each stage of the organic food production. As part of their training, they spend up to six weeks at the farm, learning skills within Goodwood’s in-house butchery, dairy and cheese-making facilities and working with organic ingredients sourced directly from the farm. This two-year programme offers comprehensive on-the-job training along with industry-recognised qualifications and valuable kitchen experience.
With this commitment to produce and cultivating the talent of the future, The Kennels are excited to host the return of the annual Culinary Academy Apprentice Dinner, in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week. Under the mentorship of the Executive Chef team, the apprentices will craft and present an exquisite three-course menu, showcasing their skills and creativity.
To find out more, contact The Kennels reservations team or visit Goodwood.com.
WILD GARLIC PESTO
FROM THE KITCHEN AT THE KENNELS
The Kennels’ Head Chef, Dan Turner, shares one of his favourite springtime recipes, crafted from ingredients foraged on the estate. This fresh and vibrant pesto serves as the perfect garnish for seasonal soups, pasta dishes, mezzes and so much more.
This recipe serves four people.
Ingredients
A bunch of basil
30g foraged wild garlic
50g pine kernels
25g parmesan
125ml olive oil
A pinch of sea salt
Method
Using a pestle and mortar or a food processor, add the washed wild garlic and basil leaves and grind together until you have a rough paste.
Gently toast the pine kernels in a small sauté pan until they are a light brown colour.
Add the pine kernels and parmesan to your herb paste and grind again until you have a rough textured paste.
Drizzle with olive oil and mix until a sauce consistency is achieved.
BARKITECTURE
The Snowdon Luxury Travel Kennel
The talented craftsmen David Snowdon and Matthew Rice have created the Snowdon Luxury Travel Kennel, the ultimate solution for transporting small dogs in style. A true embodiment of British design, craftsmanship, and sustainability, each kennel was handcrafted for Barkitecture at Goodwoof in 2024.
This bespoke pet accessory allows your small dog to travel in luxury while ensuring ease of transport for the owner, thanks to the intricately plaited leather handle. Every aspect of the kennel’s design has been meticulously crafted, from the handwoven English willow sourced from Somerset to the premium English bridle leather used for the carrying strap.
DINING AT THE KENNELS
There is nowhere more inviting than The Kennels in those first cold months of the year. Warm yourself by the fire and enjoy our exciting new set menu, available from January to March which celebrates the very best produce from Goodwood Home Farm. Enjoy two courses for £30 or three courses for £35, available for lunch and dinner on Thursdays, and lunch on Fridays and Saturdays.
FISH AND CHIP FRIDAY
We are thrilled to introduce Fish & Chip Fridays at The Kennels, running from January to March— a true treat for seafood lovers. Indulge in your choice of three types of freshly caught fish, all coated in our signature traditional batter. Pair it with a selection of mouthwatering starters for a meal that’s not only delicious but also exceptional value. The perfect way to enjoy the best catches from our local fishermen.
RESTAURANT BOOKINGS FOR GOODWOOD EVENTS
We are taking restaurant bookings for Members’ Meeting, Three Friday Nights and Qatar Goodwood Festival. To make your lunch or dinner reservation, please call 01243 755132 or email kennelsreservations@goodwood.com.
OPENING TIMES
We update our opening times regularly on our website with information about any exclusive-use closures that may be coming up, so please do remember to check these before you visit us.
Our standard opening times are as follows:
Kennels Reception
Sunday to Wednesday 8.00am – 6.00pm
Thursday to Saturday 8.00am – late
The Restaurant
The Kennels Restaurant will be open as follows:
Lunch Thursday to Saturday 12.00pm – 2.15pm Sunday 12.00pm – 4.00pm
Dinner
Thursday to Saturday 6.30pm – 9.00pm
For all queries and reservations, call 01243 755132 or email kennelsreservations@goodwood.com.
ANNUAL CLOSURE
Our annual Kennels closure will be taking place from Thursday 2 –Wednesday 15 January inclusive and will re-open on Thursday 16 January.
GOODWOOF CLOSURE DATES
The Kennels will be closed from Friday 16 until Monday 19 May for Goodwoof. The Kennels will re-open on Tuesday 20 May.
Please note opening and closing times will vary, for the most up-to-date version of restaurant and bar opening times visit goodwood.com