Flight Time / September 2016

60 / 132

60 SEPTEMBER
CONCIERGE DOWN TIME
Gin o’clock
While The Spread Eagle prides itself on its
ample selection of premium gins, they
definitely reserve a special place for
Blackdown Gin. The Blackdown Distillery
is just outside Midhurst, based in the
beautiful foothills of Blackdown Hill. The
husband-and-wife team of artisan spirit
producers create some truly-innovative
tipples using the surrounding 40 acres of
silver birch trees that they tap for sap each
spring for their products.
Their Silver Birch Vodka, which is the first
vodka to be produced in Sussex, requires 100
gallons of sap merely to produce one gallon
of syrup, aptly referred to as “white gold”.
The pair also produce Britain’s first white
vermouth, made by adding a secret blend of
herbs and spices to Silver Birch Wine to
make a vermouth that is delectably creamy
and spicy, with hints of wormwood and
chamomile. If you visit the distillery, you’ll
find a wide selection of other Blackdown
products available, such as fruit liqueurs and
elderberry port ( .
Tudor ruins
Just outside Midhurst is what is left of
Cowdray House, still an impressive sight
despite being destroyed by a fire in 1793.
The building’s history, dating back to the
1500s, involves famous historical figures
such as Guy Fawkes, who worked there as
a footman, and Henry VIII and Elizabeth I,
who both visited.
Around Midhurst you will notice many
homes with charming, bright yellow
painted window frames, signifying they are
part of the Cowdray Estate. Today
Cowdray Park is known for its challenging
golf course and as the home of British
polo. The Cowdray Park Polo Club,
founded in 1910 by the 2nd Viscount
Cowdray, is one of the busiest in the world,
with nearly 500 matches played each
season between April and September.
Good times at Goodwood
A few miles south of Midhurst is the
12,000-acre Goodwood Estate, which has
been the home of the Dukes of Richmond
for over 300 years. The estate hosts 19
days of horse racing between April and
October, with the pinnacle of the summer
season being Glorious Goodwood.
Petrolheads can witness the most rare and
exclusive cars at the Festival of Speed, car
classics at the Goodwood Revival, or visit
the free Sunday morning Breakfast Club,
which brings together a unique collection
of cars once a month.
The Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa
South Street
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 9NH
Clockwise from top:Queens Suite at The Spread Eagle Hotel; a Cowdray Park polo match (picture by Clive Bennett);
dining at The Spread Eagle Hotel Bottom right: Blackdown Distillery