History | Norwood Park

Norwood Park family history Southwell Nottinghamshire

OUR FAMILY

The Starkey family has resided at Norwood Park since the 1880s.
The family continues to run the estate today with a public golf course and fruit farm.

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Norwood Park History

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“THERE IS A PARK CALLED NORTHWODE”

Norwood Park (Northwode) is first mentioned in the inquisition of Archbishop Neville’s property in 1388.

At the time he held Northwode, Hexgreave, and Hockerwood.

1645

CIVIL WAR & REFORMATION - A TALE OF EDWARD CLUDD

After the Civil War, Parliament put many episcopal lands up for sale including Norwood Park. In 1649, Edward Cludd (Master General of London) purchased Norwood Park for £965. He built a “pretty little brick house” in which he resided in for the rest of his life.

As a Civil Magistrate, Edward Cludd conducted many marriage ceremonies beneath a large Oak Tree, thence called Cludd’s Oak. Sadly, Cludd’s Oak blew down in the 19th century, fortunately, many other enormous Oak Trees from that period remain at Norwood Park; some more than 600 years old.

At the Restoration, Norwood Park was returned to the church but Cludd remained a tenant for life.

1764

A PRIVATE ESTATE

In 1764, the lease of Norwood Park was acquired by John Sutton and in 1778 his brother Richard Sutton successfully sought an Act of Parliament enabling him to exchange his Easthorpe Estate for ownership of Norwood Park.

1760 - 1873

THE SUTTON FAMILY

During the 1760’s the Suttons pulled down Edward Cludd’s house and built the present mansion you see today. At that time Norwood Park comprised around 50 family rooms, domestic offices, a brew-house, granary, bottle, flow, bakehouse, slaughterhouse, stables, coach house, dog kennels and cow yard.

The Suttons also landscaped the Park, sited the Temple as an eye catcher, dug two more fish ponds and planted the Lime Avenue. After some 50 years of residence, the Sutton family moved from Norwood Park and leased it to a variety of tenants including the Marquis of Carmarthen (Duke of Leeds), Lord Edwin Hill and Mr Dashwood Fane.

In 1873 the Sutton's sold the estate to Mr Chambers, a consummate entertainer who purchased Norwood Park whereupon it became renowned as an “archiepiscopal of hospitality”. The house was filled with exquisite furniture, art, and wealthy guests.

1860's - Date

THE STARKEY FAMILY

In 1881 Norwood Park estate was bought at auction by Lewis Randle Starkey. From 1881 to 1940 the estate remained the family residence of Lewis and his son John the first Baronet who was appointed in 1935 and his son William who inherited in 1940.

1940 – 1945

Convalescent home for injured service personnel.

1945 – 2019

Resumed as a family residence for Sir William, the current 3rd Baronet Sir John and his son Henry.

2019 – Date

Reconfigured as a family business focusing on weddings (from the late 1990s) and other leisure-based events.

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