POLO, clay pigeons and a par 70 golf course ... what more could a sporting chap want? Well, there's archery, fly fishing and even quad-bikes on the rolling Cowdray Park estate in the heart of the South Downs.

But if you don't care too much for sport, then just breathe in the sheer beauty of the landscape in this idyllic corner of rural England, then head for the village pub.

Cowdray is the kind of place where you could expect to see Miss Marple snooping around, while on a shopping expedition, or John Nettles trying to solve another of those Midsomer Murders.

This picture postcard countryside is just 15 miles north of the south coast cathedral city of Chichester and is centred around the historic west Sussex market town of Midhurst - or Polotown as it becomes in April to late September.

The world's best players battle it out on the Cowdray lawns against the backdrop of the ruined manor house.

The highlight of the season - a thrilling spectacle I'm told - is three weeks in July when the riders and their ponies compete in the British Open for the Veuve Cliquot Cup.

Thrill

Guns are part of the history at Cowdray and the clay pigeon shooting ground is set in one of the wooded areas of Lord Cowdray's 16,000-acre pad. It's a new experience, but the professional instuctor soon puts me at ease. It takes a couple of shots to get used to the thump of the recoil, but it's a huge thrill when the traps release and you shatter that target.

Golf is a more familiar pastime and Cowdray Park Golf Club claims to be one of the most beautiful in the south of England.

Golf has been played here for over a century amidst the spectacular downland scenery and the 6,212 yard course - home of the Southern Pro Championship - sets a tough test.

Midhurst has an interesting collection of shops and restaurants, inns and cafes, and two minutes' walk away are the ruins of the 16th century Cowdray House, currently being restored by English Heritage.

It's the starting point for a host of country walks.

Just a short drive away is the famous Goodwood racecourse and motor racing circuit.

Petworth House, rebuilt in 1688, is still the home of the Percy family and contains the finest collection of paintings and sculpture in the care of the National Trust.

Van Dyck, Turner, Reynolds, Blake and Titian all feature in the collection while the servants' quarters give a fascinating insight into what it took to run one of the country's great households.

For more information, please select the links below.

Tweet