Last Sunday a group (14) of us enjoyed our Goodwood house tour and afternoon tea.

The tour was conducted by Jennifer, a very pleasant and knowledgable guide who amazed us with her amazing memory for dates, the various Dukes of  Richmond and Gordon (first, second third, up to eleventh), and the history of this house and it’s artefacts.  My memory is nothing like hers so no dates, but I can remember paintings by Canaletto of scenes from Richmond house, the family’s home in London, and paintings by Stubbs of the local hunt and exercising the racehorses.  In one Stubbs painting galloping horses looked rather wooden but apparently this was before photography so there was no way for him to record how the legs looked when galloping.  We also viewed the Card Room where we saw a display of exquisite Sevres porcelain.  There are many more paintings of course, of the family over the years and the Royal Family at the time – all very grand and very large.   There was also an amazing Egyptian dining room. Unfortunately after I had taken a few photos on the tour I was informed, very politely, that that wasn’t allowed, and this was before we reached the dining room which needs a photo to do it justice – it is magnificent.

The tour took about an hour and when it was over we were well ready for our tea!  It was worth waiting for – sandwiches, scones, dessert, cakes, and lots of tea – all of a very high standard, and beautifully served by some pleasant young men and women.  Most of us couldn’t finish all that was there, so we were given very elegant ‘doggie bags’ to take the remains home – my husband and son were delighted when I arrived home with the goodies!

I would certainly recommend this to those who haven’t been yet, and many thanks to Sharon for organising it for us.

Kate Claisse