A la Colthard The Kennels, Goodwood Estate

There are places who are dog-friendly and take dogs but the Kennels, the clubhouse for all activities on the Goodwood Estate goes beyond that.

Almost every group had their dog with them and in the entrance hall is a collection of dog bowls, including one for Pedro – the pooch of the couple who invited me yesterday.

It’s a handsome building. Looking up the hill to Goodwood House which was presumably once the kennels it now houses a  spacious restaurant, bar and lounge.

My host generously treated us to two  bottles of Veuve Cliquout.

We then sat down and I ordered a roast cauliflower soup and roast beef. I tend to order roast  beef for Sunday lunch and tend to be disappointed.

This was good, from cows reared on the farm, but not exceptional.  The service was professional but in our group of  of five the meals  did not arrive at the same time. In brief, the location was better than the cuisine.

You have to admire what the Duke of Richmond and Gordon has achieved and admire him – what a dish in his county casuals. He can whisk me around me the estate in his googles and British racing green any day … or night!!!

The estate has two golf courses, hotel, motor racing, horse racing, three festivals – even a Rolls  Royce factory. He may be a toff but he is a real entrepreneur in sleepy old West Sussex and provides yet one more amenity to a county which has gardens, stately homes, country pubs and fine countryside in abundance.