Cowdray Park near Midhurst in West Sussex is approached through a pristine tapestry of polo fields and neatly fenced paddocks where glossy ponies shade under ancient oaks.

It is everything you’d expect from the home of British polo – until, that is, the heir apparent to this 20,000-acre equestrian mecca admits that he does not play. Not even the odd chukka.

“I’m getting lessons,” assures Peregrine Pearson, 23, who will inherit the estate from his parents, Lord and Lady Cowdray. “I grew up riding and over the next few years it’s something I can see myself doing a lot more.”

Perry, as he is known, is keen to start taking a more active role in the running of the estate, which was where the Royal family used to play polo.

While his parents are still at the helm, he is shadowing Jonathan Russell, chief executive, to learn the intricacies of Cowdray Park Polo Club, with its 10 pitches and annual calendar of more than 450 matches. “Cowdray is to polo what Goodwood is to racing and Glyndebourne to opera,” Perry says.

As with any large estate, though, there are other ventures to be considered. Before he takes the reins, Perry must get his head around the farm shop and cafe, golf club, forestry, farming, self-catering cottages and the “big house” itself. “It’s great to be able to observe it from a distance and see what my future role is going to be.”