Pictures of Cowdray House

a Historic Building in the town of Midhurst, in the county of West Sussex

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About Cowdray House

Today we associate Cowdray with the famous Polo Club, but the stark ruins sitting above the genteel town of Midhurst stand testimony to what was once a great estate.

The castle was begun in the early part of the 16th-century, and following the Dissolution in 1542 it was given by Henry VIII to Sir Anthony Browne, Master of the Horse. Many thought this to be an odd gesture on the part of the King for Sir Anthony was a staunch Roman Catholic. Sadly he did not live for long enough to enjoy the fruits of the gift, he died in 1548.

Cowdray passed to Browne son, Sir Anthony Browne the Second who rose to become an important man at the court of Elizabeth I. It was then that Cowdray was at its most vibrant, with Browne giving lavish entertainments for the Queen, many of which lasted for several days. Browne had become the Queens most trusted confidant, in her name he went on missions to Europe, at the time few where privy to such importance

The fortunes of the family continued until one day in 1793 when a great fire razed the house almost to the ground leaving behind only the romantic ruins we see today.

The site of the castle is owned by Cowdray Estates who together with the Heritage Lottery Fund are investing to secure this glorious ruin for the enjoyment of future generations.

Cowdray Castle can be found close to the delightful town of Midhurst which itself has many historic buildings and is well worth a visit.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Cowdray House.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Cowdray House and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Cowdray House

Petworth House	(5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
The South Downs	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum	(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Uppark	(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Goodwood House	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Devils Punchbowl	(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Boxgrove Priory	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum	(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Amberley Castle	(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Guildhall Museum, Chichester	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in West Sussex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Cowdray House

Midhurst, in the county of West Sussex (0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
Popular small market resort town whose beautiful 19th-century church stands close to the banks of the River Rother, on which the town stands.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Petworth, in the county of West Sussex (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction E)
Petworth is an atmospheric place, it has a wealth of historic visitor attractions nearby and its close proximity to the attractive town of Chichester and its famous harbour.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

South Harting, in the county of West Sussex (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction W)
The main village street is thronged with exquisite old properties, some of brick, some tile hung, and some are built of Sussex clunch - a beautiful building material of soft limestone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Fittleworth, in the county of West Sussex (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E)
This picturesque little village is dominated by the Church of St.Mary, which stands proudly on top of a hill.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stoughton, in the county of West Sussex (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SW)
This is a pleasant rural village lying between Chichesters' old harbour and the footpaths of the South Down's Way.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Amberley, in the county of West Sussex (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SE)
Amberley is a pretty little village on the edge of the South Downs, near to the Cathedral town of Arundel.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chichester, in the county of West Sussex (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction S)
Chichester is a wonderful coastal town with a history of strong sea-faring traditions.
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Fishbourne, in the county of West Sussex (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction S)
This is a large village, it is a combination of Old Fishbourne and New Fishbourne. The discovery of the Roman Villa here confirms that this was a settlement during Roman times, if not before.
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Arundel, in the county of West Sussex (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SE)
This attractive hill-town is dominated by the sheer magnificence of its castle
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Bosham, in the county of West Sussex (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction SW)
Interesting little place with the picture post-card appeal of 'Sussex by the Sea' which for centuries has captivated artists from all over.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in West Sussex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Liphook Station	(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction NW)
Haslemere Station	(6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
A3(M) Junction 1	(12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction W)
A3(M) Junction 2	(13.3 miles, 21.3 km, direction SW)
London Gatwick Airport	(26.3 miles, 42.4 km, direction NE)
Southampton Airport	(27.4 miles, 44.2 km, direction W)
Cowdray House to London	(44.3 miles, 71.2 km, direction NE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Cowdray House

Hotel Name
The Old Railway Station	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction E)
The Woodstock House Hotel	(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction S)
The White Horse	(6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW)
Lythe Hill Hotel And Spa	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
Georgian House Hotel	(6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction N)
De Vere Branksome	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
Old Thorns Golf & Country Estate	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)
The Swan Inn	(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE)
Chichester Park Hotel	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction S)
Woodacre B & B	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts