The House from "Morris's Views of Seats," circa 1875.
Built / Designed For: Charles George Perceval, 7th Earl of Egmont.
House & Family History: Cowdray House was built on the footprint of the earlier L-shaped lodge that existed on the site, but on a much grander scale. The House was treated badly during its occupation by the Royal Army Service Corps during World War II. Cowdray House was listed for sale in 2011 for £25 million.
Collections: Christie's auctioned the collection at Cowdray Park in situ between September 13 and 15, 2011, with total proceeds of £7.9 million.
Garden & Outbuildings: The Cowdray Estate spans 16,500 acres and includes famous gardens, a golf club, and a polo club. The garden is noted for its cherry avenue, a pleasure garden surrounded by a ha-ha, a laburnum tunnel, a 300-year-old Lebanon cedar tree, an avenue of Wellingtonias, an herb parterre, a chequerboard topiary garden, and a large variety of trees and shrubs sprinkled among lakes. The Estate is also home to the Cowdray Park Polo Club, one of the leading polo clubs in Britain (polo has been played here for over 100 years). Approximately 450 matches per year are held at the Polo Club, the highlight of which is the annual Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup.
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Reference: pg. P 296
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Buildings of England: Sussex, The
Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus; Nairn, Ian
Year Published: 1973
Reference: pg. 198
Publisher: London: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140710280
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Gardens of England and Wales Open for Charity, 2000 (The Yellow Book)
Author: The National Gardens Scheme
Year Published: 2000
Publisher: Surrey: National Gardens Scheme
ISBN: 0900558326
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade II
Park Listed: Grade II
Current Seat / Home of: Michael Orlando Weetman Pearson, 4th Viscount Cowdray; Pearson family here since 1908.
Past Seat / Home of: Charles George Perceval, 7th Earl of Egmont, 19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: There is a golf club and polo club on the estate. Estate cottages are available to let.
House Open to Public: Grounds Only - By Appointment
Phone: 01730-812-423
Website: http://www.cowdray.co.uk
Historic Houses Member: No