The Gold Cup & a Storied History
Cowdray Park Polo Club, based on the Cowdray Estate near Midhurst in West Sussex, is one of the oldest and most celebrated polo venues in the world. Polo has been played on the estate since 1910, and the Cowdray Park Gold Cup – established in 1956 – is one of only two British Open high-goal tournaments, alongside the Queen’s Cup at Guards. The Gold Cup final in July is the climax of the English polo season and attracts the sport’s elite players and patrons.
The estate’s grounds sit beneath the romantic ruins of Cowdray House, a Tudor mansion destroyed by fire in 1793. This dramatic backdrop, combined with immaculate turf and a county-show atmosphere, makes Cowdray one of the most picturesque sporting venues in the south of England.
Visiting from Surrey
Although Cowdray lies just across the county border in West Sussex, it is comfortably within reach of south-west Surrey. Haslemere is roughly 12 miles to the north-east, and the A286 provides a direct route through the South Downs. The club welcomes spectators throughout the season, with free entry on most match days and a ticketed enclosure for the Gold Cup final and other showcase fixtures. A polo academy operates for new players, and the estate also offers golf, tennis and accommodation at the Cowdray Farm Shop and Café.
