Cowdray Ruins — Attraction in Chichester

Cowdray was a Tudor nobelman’s grand mansion, built between 1520 and 1542, one of several created by influential memebers of Henri VIII’s court,. The main construction of this mansion work took over 20 years and the Cowdray refelected personl influences, wealth and political power of its builders Sir David Owen started Cowdray between 1520-30 after he had cleared the site of the earlier building. He only completed half the work, but it seems likely that the roughly square plan with the quadrangular court that was later finished was park of his design. In 1533 the owner is the house at that time, Sir William Fitzwilliam was granted a special licence by Henri VIII to empark 600 acres of land in Eastbourne and Midhurst to be called and named the park of Cowdray forever. A devastating fire in 1793 destroyed Cowdray. The remains now attracts photographers, artists and writers. The romantic view has attracted lots of tourists and some short film makers.

The car park access is via A286. The carpark is free for 1 hour ** Please remember to place a free ticket with your car registration number. If you don’t place a ticket, you will get parking fine. This carpark is monitored with CCTV number plate recognition .

This is a beautiful place to visit if you are a nature lover. The river “Rother” adds the additional beauty to this attraction. Its recommended to wear waterproof shoes if you are walking around.

Please see the Cowdray Castle walk video on YouTube - Please search for video "VEBdF2MIfis" . This video is on "London Aaga Bites"...

Sadly only something to view from behind a barrier, these are still an interesting mix of building styles for the keen historian to enjoy. Plenty to keep keen photographers looking for new angles as the sun moves and lights up different aspects of the remaining walls. There is lots of Parking only a couple of hundred yards away in Midhurst though you can get closer if you don't mind 'wild parking'. Part of the Cowdrey estate access to which is free on non polo game days this is a good place to walk your dog or watch cricket with the castle ruins as your backdrop. The River Rother is a boundary to the estate with the ruins of Midhurst Castle set amongst sweet chestnut trees on a hill overlooking the whole area; another easy visit to do whilst you are in the area. There are toilets 400 yards away on the main road through Midhurst beside the bus stance. Children will enjoy the river and there are old houses to look at as well as the Cowdrey House ruins. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and tearooms in Midhurst and a new cafe in the estate buildings near to...

The Cowdray Ruins provide a stunning and unforgettable backdrop for polo tournaments. The historic ruins, set amidst the picturesque Sussex countryside, create an atmosphere that is both majestic and unique. Watching a match here is a truly special experience, combining the thrill of polo with the beauty of the ancient architecture and lush landscape. The grounds are well-maintained and offer excellent viewing spots, ensuring that spectators have a fantastic view of the action. Whether you're a polo enthusiast or simply looking for a beautiful and culturally rich setting, Cowdray Ruins is the perfect venue. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the elegance and excitement of polo in a truly breathtaking...