Goodwood Estate announces new exhibition – HerStory: Women of Goodwood

Goodwood is pleased to announce the theme of its annual exhibition, held in the Long Hall within Goodwood House. ‘HerStory: Women of Goodwood’ will be a celebration of women, both past and present from across the estate.

For over 300 years, women have been central to Goodwood’s history. The ‘HerStory: Women of Goodwood’ exhibition will place a spotlight on the women connected with the estate and the Gordon Lennox family, whose stories tell of passion, power, patronage, society, family, charitable work, and sporting interests.

It will shed light on women from the 17^th to the 21^st Centuries, including:

• Louise de Keroualle, favourite mistress of King Charles II and mother of the 1^st Duke of Richmond, whose direct descendants live at Goodwood today
• Jane, Duchess of Gordon, a political hostess who rivalled Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire
• Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond, who hosted the famous Waterloo Ball which inspired artists, poets and writers including William Thackeray.
• Hilda, Duchess of Richmond, who saved the Goodwood Estate in the 20^th century after crippling death duties
• The Duchess of Richmond, who lives at Goodwood today and set up the Gut Health Programme and the Organic Home Farm.

Proudly on display during the bespoke tour will be gowns loaned by the Fashion Museum Bath; artworks by Angelica Kauffman and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and historic photographs and documents detailing the stories of these women, plus many more who have influenced and defined Goodwood to this day.

Clementine de la Poer Beresford, Curator of the Goodwood Collection and the architect of this year’s exhibition said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to Goodwood House this spring to discover the incredible women who have impacted the Goodwood Estate over the centuries. We have some wonderful stories to tell; these women have been decisively at the forefront of Goodwood’s long and rich history, inspiring not only the current Duke and Duchess and their family, but all the people who work across the estate year-round.”

How to book
The ‘HerStory: Women of Goodwood’ exhibition will be held in the Long Hall of Goodwood House and runs from 5 May to 28 October 2024 on all Open Days. Open Days take place on Mondays and Sundays. The exhibition tour can be experienced on its own, or as part of an Afternoon Tea and Tour package. Prices start from £34 and can be booked here.