Cowdray Ruins, Midhurst

Situated in beautiful rural countryside on Cowdray estate and the edge of Midhurst town centre, the fascinating ruins of the Tudor mansion are one of southern England's most important early Tudor palaces.
Built from 1520 and partly destroyed by a fire in 1793, visitors can investigate the kitchens, gatehouse, centre and shop.

Events at Cowdray in 2009 include:

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Presented by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company (www.chapterhouse.org)
Sunday 26 July, 7pm
Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, this brand new 10th anniversary production, a feast of music, song, romance and magic, promises to be one of the most wonderful evenings of family entertainment in the summer of 2009. Bring a picnic! Discounts for groups of 10 or more.

Meet the Pirates!
Presented by Raven-Tor
Sunday 9 August, 10.30am - 4.30pm
A day for families, with lots of dastardly activities on offer. Have a go at fencing with real swords, witness skirmishes between sworn enemies, learn about combat and derring-do! Plenty of crafty activities to join in, and costumed characters to talk to.

Merlin The Magican
Presented by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company
Wednesday 19 August, 6.30pm
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table begin their quest for the Holy Grail and the battle begins to save Camelot. Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, this powerful legend comes to life in an evening of magical theatre under the stars. Bring a picnic! Discounts for groups of 10 or more.

Upstairs Downstairs at Georgian Cowdray
Presented by The Mannered Mob (www.themanneredmob.com)
Sunday 30 & Bank Holiday Monday 31 August, 10.30am - 4.30pm
The Mannered Mob is the 18th Century Re-enactment Group that portrays civilian life between 1730 and 1760.
They represent all levels of society from high to low, and their members consist of both men and women who specialise in producing high quality recreations of civilian life.
Here at Cowdray you are likely to meet servants and staff, the housekeeper, footmen, nursemaids - possibly even gardener and dairymaids, spinsters and seamstresses - all as they might have been before the fire which put an end to it all in 1793.

Heritage Open Day
Friday 11th September, 10.30am to 5pm
Free entry to Cowdray all day! Come and see the Tudor kitchen in full working order, with demonstrations of traditional cooking and crafts.

Stuart Regalia Day
Sunday 27 September, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Experience the life of a 17th century domestic goddess! From cooking to cosmetics, from laundry to lavish clothing, all aspects of the home and a lady's toilette are demonstrated and brought to life.


Fun, Food & Fireworks Festival
Sunday 25 October, 3pm to 7pm
Children's activities such as pumpkin carving and apple bobbing, alongside a luscious food festival celebrating everything culinary. Music, cooking demonstrations and entertainments all day amongst the beautiful walls of the old house, finishing with a firework display at the end of the day. Something for everyone.

Contact: 01730 812423 or e-mail

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