At the epicentre of this elegant estate are the Cowdray ruins while it was built during the Tudor times, it’s a mansion with castle features (all very photogenic and Instagram worthy), that have ensured its Grade 1 listed status. It also serves as a rather stylish  backdrop to the polo Gold Cup which the estate is famous for. There are 10 polo grounds at Cowdray that host over 500 matches during the season from April to September were you can don your best summer dress and pitch up with a picnic – Muddy insists your basket is full of gourmet goodies from The Cowdray Farm Shop .

Speaking of, former Muddy Award winner, The Cowdray Farm Shop & Café is a foodie’s emporium selling locally sourced produce as well as award-winning Estate-stalked venison, lamb and beef reared on Cowdray land. You can stock up on Cowdray products including honey jams, marmalades, chutneys, apple juice and coffee as well as meats, charcuterie, cheese and baked goods made from the Estate’s pastry chefs. Yum! For more retail therapy, Cowdray Lifestyle stocks cards, gifts, homeware and tablewear as well as Cowdray candles, and diffusers next to fashion, children’s books and toys from local artisans.

Meanwhile, the café menu serves up breakfast, lunch and snacks prepared from scratch and of course with the best ingredients from the Cowdray Estate. You can sit and have a coffee, cake and gossip on the terrace with the dog or enjoy a sarnie and tea indoors. Hungry for more? During the summer months, you can take advantage of the Cowdray Pizza takeaway service while the rest of the year you can order from Cowdray Express as well as the Cowdray Kitchen which offers a range of high-quality frozen foods prepared by the Estate’s chefs.

The Grade II listed Cowdray House has its own 110 acres for guests to roam around in with 22 bedrooms each with far-reaching views plus, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, a bowling alley and croquet lawn.

Wait, there’s more. When it comes for things to do, Cowdray really comes into its own. There’s almost too many activities to list. New for this year, is an evening of immersive Burlesque, featuring cocktails, cabaret and music. You can take to the skies, well, your eyes can with a Stargazing Experience around the Estate and into the South Downs. During daylight, you can explore into the world of foraging and wild food with guided walks for beginners to experts. Afternoon tea is served at The Walled Garden and is reflective of the season and what’s produced locally. Open for selected events, it’s no surprise that the garden is a firm favourite for weddings and private parties. You’ll want to stop to admire the scented herb garden, rose and lavender borders, orchard, and ornamental pond as well as take advantage of the events here through-out the year. This sits alongside the impressive portfolio of premium pursuits, including the award winning clay-pigeon shooting, golf, fly fishing on the river Rother, walking, cycling, riding, polo playing and yoga.

One thing you’ll never be here is bored!

READ MORE: Muddy Reviews the Evening Dining Series at Cowdray Farm Shop Café