A Day at Goodwood Art Foundation: Art, Nature and Lunch at 24
Tucked away down a country lane behind high stone walls on the Goodwood Estate near Chichester, the Goodwood Art Foundation is surrounded by leafy woodland and wildflower meadows.
Passing through the gates we left everyday life behind and stepped into a world of contemporary art, countryside views and seasonal dining in a way that’s unlike anywhere else in Sussex.
We visited for Goodwood’s summer programme and to enjoy lunch at 24, a striking woodland restaurant where the changing landscape helps shape what’s served on the plate.
I was a guest of Goodwood Art Foundation with lunch at 24 but all words and thoughts are entirely my own.
Goodwood Art Foundation
Goodwood Art Foundation, part of the Goodwood Estate, opened in May 2025.
The not-for-profit organisation sits in 70-acres of woodland, meadow and rewilded landscape which combines a vision of art, nature and wellbeing.
Blending contemporary art, seasonal dining and immersive landscapes, Goodwood Art Foundation offers a fascinating new addition to Sussex’s cultural scene.
Making our way through the dappled woodland trails we discovered fascinating sculpture installations and world-class contemporary art. Two galleries, the Pavilion and the Pigott also showcase work by renowned artists.
Alongside the exhibitions, the Foundation also runs learning and wellbeing programmes designed to deepen visitors’ connection with art and nature.
The Landscape
The grounds, designed by landscape designer Dan Pearson, are as much a part of the experience as the artworks themselves. This small area of the South Downs landscape has been designed to cycle through 24 seasonal moments; an evolving environment for the art that sits within it.
We loved the sense of anticipation as we wandered through the woods, not knowing what we’d encounter around each turn of the trail. Of course we could have used the map to plan our route but we enjoyed the element of surprise as we came upon the installations and how they interact with the landscape around them.
The Art
Works by artists including Nancy Holt, Eva Rothschild and Lee Ufan sit among the trees and wildflower meadows. I was delighted to emerge from the trees to the sight of Yayoi Kusama’s yellow polka-dotted pumpkins sitting nonchalantly in a meadow.
There are two galleries to explore as well, so allow at least half a day for your visit. We spent the morning exploring the outdoor installations and galleries before settling in for lunch at 24.
24: Dining in the Woods
Our first glimpse of 24 emerging from the trees took us by surprise. Sharp angles, metallic finishes and futuristic design contrast sharply against the woodland setting and the softness of the foliage. The building feels like a sculpture in its own right.
A Restaurant Shaped by the Seasons
24’s concept follows the changing landscape, with menus evolving throughout the year to reflect what’s growing, flowering and in season.
There’s a large outdoor terrace but we sit inside. The space is flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that make the woodland beyond feel like a living mural.
Our table sits at the front of the restaurant, looking out into the woods. Sunlight flickers through the tree canopy onto the table, bringing the outside in and connecting us with the woodland beyond.
We keep it local and order a glass of crisp white Sussex Reserve NV from West Sussex vineyard Nutbourne situated just 20 miles away.
The Food at 24
Chef Harry Cartwright, from Hampshire, brings global influences to the menu alongside seasonal ingredients and a strong sense of place. Organic produce from Goodwood’s Home Farm and local Sussex suppliers amplify the focus on sustainability.
It’s lunch time at 24 and we’re choosing from the small plates menu (11am-4pm) which also includes nibbles and desserts. The dishes all sound so tempting that narrowing our choices to five plates between us proves surprisingly difficult.
We start with nibbles; plump Gordal olives which translate from Spanish as ‘the fat ones’. They are. As well as being smooth, mild and buttery they complement the wine nicely.
Small Plates
The menu is varied, inventive and beautifully presented. We made a mini starter of the Red Pepper Arancini with Basil Mayonnaise which hit the spot with a light, crispy, golden coating and warm savoury centres. The basil mayonnaise sitting atop each one like a shiny, green button.
The New Forest Asparagus had just the right amount of bite and went perfectly with the black garlic mayonnaise. The accompanying duck egg added richness, its yolk perfectly soft and golden.
The Goodwood Beef Bavette with chicory and peppercorn sauce was a firm favourite. The beef was melt-in-the-mouth perfection with the crisp bitterness of the chicory cutting through the rich silky sauce beautifully.
A peppery watercress pesto contrasted nicely with the salty caper mayonnaise and brought out the flavour and crispness of the plump Sussex fishcake. Another of our favourite dishes, although to be fair they were all excellent.
We rounded off our order with beautifully crispy new potatoes which had a generous sprinkling of smoky paprika. We certainly didn’t need them, but we’re glad we ordered them.
When our waitress offered us the dessert menu we were so full that we wistfully declined.
Service was warm, friendly and attentive throughout. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at 24 and will be heading back to experience different seasonal flavours and landscapes very soon.
It’s worth noting that 24 is only accessible to visitors with a Goodwood Art Foundation admission ticket, reinforcing the idea that dining here forms part of a wider cultural experience rather than a standalone restaurant visit.
More Than Just Lunch at 24
24 also offers a 3-course set menu available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Entry to the Foundation is included when you book online in advance.
Sunday Roasts
Sunday roasts are available on Sundays from 12-noon. Entry to the Foundation is included when you book online by 3pm on the preceding Saturday.
Light refreshments including tea, coffee, pastries and cakes are served from 9.30 am – 5 pm.
Sunset Evenings at 24
A new Sunset Dining Series has recently launched for evening openings, cocktails and sunset views to make the most of summer evenings. Check the Goodwood Art Foundation website for details of upcoming Sunset Dining events.
Is 24 at Goodwood Worth Visiting?
Lunch at 24, the woodland restaurant, is worth visiting for the food alone, but it’s the combination of seasonal dining, contemporary art and immersive landscapes that makes the experience truly memorable.
Dining forms part of a distinct concept and cultural experience with visitors exploring art, nature and the landscape before or after their meal.
Final Thoughts
We arrived expecting a good lunch and a wander through the sculptures. We left several hours later feeling as though we’d discovered one of Sussex’s most intriguing new cultural destinations.
From the woodland walks and thought-provoking artworks to the beautifully presented seasonal dishes at 24, every element feels carefully considered and deeply connected to the landscape. It’s the kind of place that encourages you to slow down, stay longer than planned and look at the countryside around you in a completely different way.
Useful Information
Access to Restaurant 24 is restricted to visitors with a Goodwood Art Foundation admission ticket. (£15) This will be checked on arrival at the gate and should ideally be booked in advance.
Entry to the Foundation is included with the 3-course set menu and Sunday roasts when booked online, in advance.
Pre-book your ticket and car parking space here. Tickets can be bought on the gate on the day, but entry cannot be guaranteed and it gets busy.
Dogs are welcome in the grounds.
Goodwood Art Foundation is open Thursday – Monday 9am – 5pm 1 April to 2 November and 10am – 4pm 3 November to 31 March.
Goodwood Art Foundation is closed to the public on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Goodwood Art Foundation is around two hours from London by train and makes an excellent day trip from the capital. You’ll need to allow 4-5 hours for your visit. The nearest stations are Chichester and Barnham followed by a 10-15 minute taxi ride.
Address: Goodwood Art Foundation, New Barn Hill, Goodwood, Chichester, PO18 0QP. What 3 words: enigma.twinkled.overheat
enquiries@goodwoodartfoundation.org Tel: 01243 755090
