From polo to farms and tudor buildings- all in a day's work for Lord Cowdray

"At the age of 14, when a fall resulted in mild concussion, there was at last a way out of having to do something I was not that keen on," he said.

The fourth Viscount Cowdray is a caring and understanding man who puts his family first.

"I will not pressure my children to do things they do not want to do, and it was the same when I came to their school results. I will support and guide them as a parent," he said.

For a man who has a very large estate to manage and the problems associated with it, he comes across as a very friendly, relaxed person.

His great-grandfather bought Cowdray Lodge in 1908, which with substantial Victorian additions became the new Cowdray House. When not away at school this is where his childhood was spent.

"I was not a very academic person, even at Gordonstoun, where Prince Charles also spent his schooldays. I have to admit I enjoyed the sailing and hill walking more than the studies. The teaching was not of a high standard and sadly they did not pay the staff well, hence my education was not what my parents might have hoped it would be," he said with a smile.

Polo has been in his family since his grandfather took it up at Oxford and created their own house ground in 1910. He later launched the Cowdray Park Challenge Cup for friends and family. His father, John Cowdray, was even more keen on the game but sadly lost an arm at Dunkirk.