Dining at Goodwood
From organic estate dining to village pubs around the estate
Dining in and around the Goodwood estate offers a range of options that reflect the area's commitment to quality ingredients, its rural character and the influence of the estate's organic farming operation. From the refined dining at The Kennels to the traditional pub fare in the surrounding villages, the food in this corner of West Sussex is consistently good and frequently exceptional.
The Kennels, Goodwood's private members' club, operates a restaurant that is the estate's flagship dining venue. The menu uses produce from the Goodwood Home Farm, the estate's 12,000-acre organic operation, and the cooking is seasonal, ingredient-led and accomplished. The setting, in the converted Georgian kennels designed by James Wyatt, adds atmosphere to the meal, and the combination of quality food and historic surroundings makes dinner at The Kennels a memorable experience. Non-members can visit the restaurant as guests of members.
The Goodwood Hotel restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to hotel guests and non-residents. The food is solid and reliable, drawing on the same organic produce that supplies The Kennels, and the breakfast is particularly good. The hotel bar also serves lighter meals and snacks, and the terrace is a pleasant spot for an afternoon tea or a pre-dinner drink.
Farmer, Butcher, Chef is the estate's casual dining concept, offering grilled meats and seasonal sides using organic produce from the Home Farm. The emphasis is on quality ingredients cooked simply, and the beef, pork and lamb that feature on the menu have travelled a matter of yards from field to plate. The restaurant appeals to families and groups who want good food without the formality of fine dining.
The Richmond Arms in West Lavant, a short drive from the estate, is a pub that punches above its weight gastronomically. Under successive landlords, it has built a reputation for food that combines pub warmth with restaurant ambition. The menu typically features seasonal British cooking with an emphasis on local sourcing, and the Sunday roast is popular with families from the surrounding area.
The Fox Goes Free at Charlton is another village pub within easy reach of Goodwood that combines good food with characterful surroundings. The 400-year-old building, with its low beams and open fireplaces, provides the kind of atmosphere that modern restaurants struggle to replicate. The food is hearty and well executed, and the pub's garden is popular on warm evenings.
The Star and Garter at East Dean and the Partridge Inn at Singleton complete the ring of village pubs around the estate, each offering its own character and menu. These pubs serve the local community as well as visitors, and their survival in an era of pub closures reflects the economic support provided by the Goodwood estate's visitor traffic.
During events, the estate provides event catering that ranges from premium hospitality to informal food stalls. The Festival of Speed and Revival feature extensive catering operations, with food and drink available throughout the grounds. The quality is a step above the typical festival offering, and the organic ethos of the estate extends to the event catering wherever possible.