The Kennels: Goodwood's Members' Club
A members' club set in the estate's converted Georgian kennels
The Kennels is Goodwood's private members' club, housed in the beautifully converted Georgian kennels that were originally built to house the Duke of Richmond's hunting hounds. The conversion, completed in 2014, transformed the grade II listed building into a destination that combines fine dining, a bar, event spaces and a health club within a setting that is both historically significant and architecturally striking.
The original kennels were designed by James Wyatt in the 1780s for the 3rd Duke of Richmond, the same architect who worked on Goodwood House. The building's elegant proportions, its flint and brick construction and its courtyard plan provided a strong framework for the conversion, and the architects responsible for the transformation respected the original fabric while introducing contemporary comfort and design. The result is a space that feels both ancient and modern, with exposed flint walls, original timbers and modern furnishings coexisting harmoniously.
The dining at The Kennels is one of its principal attractions. The restaurant uses produce from the Goodwood estate's organic Home Farm, supplemented by ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The menu changes seasonally and reflects the estate's philosophy of sustainable, high-quality food production. The cooking is accomplished without being pretentious, and the dining room, with its views over the estate's parkland, provides an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming rather than formal.
The bar serves cocktails, wines and local beers in a relaxed setting that is popular for pre-dinner drinks, casual meetings and evening socialising. The outdoor terrace is used in warmer months, and the views across the parkland to the Downs make it one of the most pleasant places to enjoy a drink in West Sussex.
The health club includes a gym, a swimming pool, treatment rooms and fitness classes. The facilities are modern and well maintained, and the club offers personal training, spa treatments and wellness programmes. For members who live in the Chichester area, The Kennels provides a health and fitness offering that is substantially more attractive than the standard gym experience.
Membership of The Kennels is available in several categories, and the club operates a joining process that maintains its character as a members' club rather than a commercial health and fitness centre. Members receive access to all the club's facilities, priority booking at the restaurant and invitations to members' events throughout the year. The membership base includes local residents, Goodwood estate staff, motorsport and racing enthusiasts, and professionals from the wider Chichester area.
The Kennels has become a significant part of the Goodwood ecosystem, providing a year-round social and dining venue that complements the seasonal events on the estate. While the Festival of Speed, the Revival and the racing attract visitors from around the world, The Kennels serves the local community and the regular Goodwood audience with a level of quality and character that reflects the estate's broader values.
The integration of The Kennels into the broader Goodwood estate means that members benefit from the estate's other facilities and events. Golf, motor circuit track days, racing at the racecourse and the estate's walking routes are all accessible to Kennels members, and the club functions as a gateway to the wider Goodwood experience. For those who value a members' club that offers more than a restaurant and a gym, The Kennels provides a connection to one of the most varied and distinguished sporting estates in England, and the quality of the setting alone sets it apart from conventional private clubs.