Thoresby Park video.

 

A very brief view of Thoresby Park, scanning from Thoresby Hall to Perlethorpe School / Environment Educational Centre. March 2021.

Thoresby Hall Gardens.

 

Above: A rare view from a window in Thoresby Hall, looking down the road leading away.

Above: 2024. The entrance courtyard. The plynth in the middle is where once stood the statue of Robin Hood.

Below: Photographs taken summer 2024 around Thoresby Hall's gardens. 

Thoresby Hall Roundhouse, Riding School and stables.

 

Above: Also once known as “Summer Boxes”, the Roundhouse stands amongst the trees a little further up the hill from the entrance to Thoresby Hall. This is where the hunt’s horses in particular would be kept during the summer months. During World War 2 it was requisitioned by the military using the estate for training purposes, and this was where they had their workshops. Hence the close proximity of the red brick vehicle maintenance ramp, mentioned on a separate post. After the Hall opened to the public in the 1950s, a small children’s farmyard was installed.

Above: c 2010. The roundhouse became a shop, selling plants to the public. Later still it functioned as a bicycle hire service for visitors wishing to cycle around estate.

During the winter months these horses would be moved into the courtyard sables.

Above: 2007. A relic from the stables, a feeding trough, could still be seen in a corner of what had become the art gallery.

Above: “Black Prince”, inside the stables at Thoresby Courtyard. This was a favoured horse of Sydney William Herbert Pierrepont, 3rd Earl Manvers (1826 - 1900), himself a onetime Captain in the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Cavalry.

Above: The Riding School, Thoresby Hall. 2024.

The Riding School was where horses and ponies would be trained. The original flooring was simple sawdust and sand. When the room was used for celebration dances, wooden panels were put down. When the army requisitioned the place, they had a concrete floor laid, and the facility was better suited for dining. Soon after, a stage was erected, and concerts, dances, even cinema shows, followed. A good moral booster for troops on the estate. In much more recent times the riding school has been totally renovated, whilst still retaining a sense of history, and used for wedding celebrations.

Below: A misty morning in December 2024.

The Walled Garden, Echium Garden,Thoresby Park.

 

Above: Before the renovations of 2018. Below: The drainage from the garden into the River Meden.

The Walled Garden was designed to provide for the needs not just of the Duke’s family and guests, but for the staff and servants associated with the Hall. Indeed, such would be the hustle and bustle of this year round task, the garden was deliberately situated at a distance east of the Hall in order to minimize disturbance. Ordinance Survey maps of 1906 show it already semi-secluded by trees.

Believed to have been built c.1765, the earliest reference to the Walled Garden I have found comes from the estate’s 1860 Directory:

“A new Hall is about being erected on a commanding eminence near the rockery and in line with the Gardens, the latter of which have been newly formed and enclosed by a neat brick wall. The gardens, including the orchard and kitchen grounds, cover about 10 acres of land. There is a neat residence for the gardener on the grounds”.

 The Head Gardener is listed in all the estate’s directories from 1864 – 1900 as Archibald Henderson. Directories from 1904 – 1930s list this position as being taken over by Arthur Simmons. (Simmons is also listed as making a 10 shilling contribution towards the World War 1 Memorial gated entrance to Perlethorpe Church).

A reliable description of the Walled Garden can be found in Robert White’s “Worksop, The Dukery, and Sherwood Forest” (1875):

“To the East of the Hall are the gardens, which cost £4,000, covering 8.5 acres; 5.5 acres of which are enclosed by brick walls. The rest is in slips on the East, North and West sides, with an orchard on the North. The kitchen garden is intersected by two fine broad walks 550 feet long which from North to South pass out through a pair of very splendid iron gates into the park. The lofty conservatory occupies a central position in the long range of 20 well-stocked forcing houses which are about 560 feet in length”.

The World Wars of 1914/18 and 1939/45, impacted the estate in many ways. Firstly, the loss of young male workers who lost their lives in battle. Secondly, the military presence of the troops billeted here, and the physical changes made necessary for the tanks and other armoured vehicles on which they trained. The Walled Garden never really recovered from those times, being abandoned altogether upon the death of Gervas Pierrepont, 6th Earl Manvers, in 1955.

Above: In June 2018, the garden began a scheme to renovate and restore. Open then to the public, it was called the Echium Garden. Sadly, come August 2020, it closed down, citing the cause as the lease expiring. A sad loss to those of us who value the history of Thoresby Estate and the wish to see it preserved.

Above: September 2024. The Walled Garden has only its walls.

Lady Rozelle Raynes 1925 – 2015.

 

Above: Lady Manvers' portrait drawing of her only daughter Lady Rozelle, looking rather proud in her Wren's uniform, 1944.

Lady Frederica Rozelle Ridgway Pierrepont would have been 15 years old when, in 1940, her father became the 6th Earl Manvers (succeeding his cousin) and took up residence in Thoresby Hall. She was the youngest of three children but the only one to survive to adulthood.

Soon after the family moved into the Hall it was requisitioned by the military. It was World War 2, and troops were billeted on the estate whilst training both here and at Rufford Abbey. As a small child she had been fascinated by the sea, and the Second World War presented an opportunity to join the WRNS as a tugboat stoker. (Much preferable in her eyes to a finishing school in Switzerland.) She would recall those times as being a “peak of happiness”, and burst into tears upon being demobbed when the war was over. But her sailing days had really only just begun, and subsequent adventures on her 25ft yacht the Martha McGilda, provided ample material to fill a series of self-penned books. In 1953 she married Major Alexander Beattie of the Coldstream Guards.

Whilst her mother continued to reside at Thoresby Hall, Lady Rozelle inherited the estate in 1955 when her father died. As was the case with many post-war stately homes in need of finances, Thoresby Hall was opened up to the public in 1957, and first husband Major Beattie was much involved in it becoming a popular attraction during a decade when visiting such places became a favourite national pastime.  However, the marriage ended in 1961.

In 1965 Lady Rozelle married Dr Richard Raynes. In the mid-1970s, with the support of husband Dr Raynes, she embarked on a scheme to help rehabilitate East End boys in care. This involved taking them out on the Thames in the Martha McGilda, half a day every fortnight, and teaching them to sail and navigate. These “Tuesday Boys” became the subject of a subsequent book, and in 1980 she established the Martha McGilda charitable trust so as this successful scheme of support for such boys might continue.

After Thoresby Hall was sold to the National Coal Board in 1984, the estate would be managed mostly by agents, but Lady Rozelle retained lifelong friends with many of the people living and working there, in particular, the Courtyard Gallery where her mother’s paintings enjoy a regular presence. In the 1980s she and her husband had a house built on the estate. She moved there in 2010 after suffering a fall, and less able to reside in London. Lady Rozelle died June 22nd 2015, a year after her husband. They left no descendants. According to internet sources "she is buried in the family plot at Thoresby".

Thoresby Hall, final days as a Stately Home.

 

Above: A final family visit to Thoresby Hall, as a stately home open to the public".1979.

Thoresby Hall the "Stately Home", as opposed to the successful hotel complex it is today, had opened its doors to the general public on 29th March, 1957. It was an event largely organised by Major Beattie, then husband of Lady Rozelle. It may have been a difficult time for Lady Manvers, and it is noted that she and her daughter Lady Rozelle, were on holiday in the Mediterranean on that day. Chris Stanley, originally appointed as Estate Accountant, would take over in subsequent years as the main organiser for such Open Days. Typically, the Hall would be open on weekends, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Bank Holidays.

During the late 1950s / 1960s, when visits to stately homes were a favoured pastime with the British public, Thoresby Hall was a great success. It’s charm originated from the authenticity of the place, combined with such “novelty attractions” as a the model steam railway, and even a 1960s attempt at a small "zoo" on the courtyard  inside the gates, and supervised by Perlethorpe resident Mr Dewhurst. Standing inside Thoresby Hall one sensed that this was indeed a Home, an atmosphere Countess Manvers’ paintings made even more tangible.

It is a sad irony that the coal mining beneath Thoresby Estate, responsible for much of its wealth, would one day help provoke the downfall of the Hall itself when subsidence became an issue as the 1970s drew to a close. I remember visiting Thoresby Hall in its final days of 1979. Lady Manvers was standing by the piano in the main inner hall, and spent some time chatting to my parents, especially my father with whom she’d had a good relationship during his years on the Estate. Amidst the nearby boxes of souvenir pencils and brochures. Things coming to an end.

In 1980, whilst still permitting Thoresby Hall remain the home of Countess Manvers, the National Coal Board purchased the building. Their motivation for doing so made sound business sense: The coal mining which had already caused damage to Thoresby Lake, was still active in the region and a risk of further structural damage could not be ignored. Lady Manvers was still allowed to open the Hall to the public if and when she so desired. Therefore a precise date for when Thoresby Hall finally closed its doors to that practice is hard to define. Lady Manvers passed away in 1984.

According to the Telegraph colour supplement (27 November, 1988), the subsequent sale of Thoresby Hall to the Australian-based Roo Management, would it seem prove controversial: Roo were apparently clear about their intention to strip the five main Victorian State Rooms of their contents, converting them to part of a hotel. In opposition to their proposal was local developer Geoffrey Whittaker, who vowed to preserve intact the unique contents of these State Rooms as part of his own plans also to convert Thoresby Hall into a luxury hotel. Not only that, but Whittaker is said to have outbid Roo in a written offer of £1.6 million as opposed to Roo’s £1.5. However, and for whatever reason, the National Coal Board seemed intent on selling to Roo, “in spite of strong opposition and protests from the heritage lobby and at least 15 MPs”. As a consequence, in May / June 1989, Sotheby’s auctioned off much of the original and unique contents of Thoresby Hall soon after Roo had acquired the property. Roo would then own the Hall for approximately only one year, before putting it back on the market with an estimated price of £3 - £4 million. This time Geoffrey Whittaker was successful in buying it, but only six months later the developers went bankrupt and the Official Receiver had to take over.

Above: A picture from the Sotheby's auction catalogue.

In the 1990s the building fell into such a state of disrepair it was deemed a perfect location for the filming of "Great Expectations" by the BBC. So for a moment in time Thoresby Hall became Miss Haversham's "Satis House"! The 1990s were surely the Hall’s darkest decade. I remember having a conversation with retired Perlethorpe teacher C. Allan Bollans, during this time, when he was working at the Art Gallery in the courtyard there. The threat of looting had been a problem and, perhaps understandably, repairs such as those made by the National Coal Board to the Lake in 1992, were based on finances rather than historical restoration. But there was to be a happy ending.

In 2000 Warners took over Thoresby Hall and opened a luxury hotel on the site. Not only that, but their policy towards an adult clientele was surely a positive influence on the re-opening of scenic walkways by the lake, some pathways of which had not been accessible for decades. Sadly, within a few years, such routes were deemed out of bounds once more.

 The success of Warners Hotel, combined with the broad range of entertainment the Estate now presents, once again makes a visit to Thoresby Hall an attractive proposition. Those staying at the hotel can access certain historic rooms.

Note: Quotes and details regarding the sale of Thoresby Hall in 1988 / 89 taken from Telegraph Magazine, November 27th, 1988. The details and machinations of this sale have no links to subsequent sales of the Hall).

Thoresby Hall and Charles Dickens.

 

In 1999, Thoresby Hall was chosen as a suitable location for a BBC production of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations". In that excellent version of the classic novel, Thoresby Hall became Satis House. Miss Havisham's room was the former Ante Room (also known as the Small bar), whilst her famous deserted wedding banquet was set up in the Blue Drawing Room (also known as the A La Carte Restaurant). Much use was made of the echoing corridors, and the library doors are also clearly visible on.

Above & below: Stills from the film.

Thoresby Hall and Robin Hood.

 

  “In the heart of Sherwood Forest” was a phrase once used to promote Thoresby Hall and attract visitors. As the area on which stands Robin Hood’s Tree, the Major Oak, was then owned and cared for by Thoresby Estate, it made for a successful advertising campaign. Hence the statue of Robin Hood in the grounds, carvings of him by the library fireplace, and the Robin Hood theme to the gifts and toys on offer when open to the public. However, it has to be said, any suggested links between a Pierrepont family who came to England via the Norman Conquest, and a Saxon outlaw, can be dismissed as rather fanciful.

The above postcard shows the Tussaud-Birt statue of Robin Hood situated in its original location outside the main entrance to Thoresby Hall. The statue was sculpted and sited here in 1948. In the 1950s Robin Hood's bow was stolen on at least one occasion for its lead value. Security issues became much more of an issue later on in the 1980s / 90s as ownership of the Hall changed hands, making a relocation of the statue necessary. Today the statue is situated in the courtyard outside Thoresby Art Gallery, just 200 yards from its original site.

Above: At different times of the year the staff of the Thoresby Courtyard are known to decorate Robin Hood according to events. Here he supported the English World Cup Squad. At other times he has been known to dress as Santa Claus.

Below: Robin Hood's Tree, the Major Oak, had already been a popular attraction for many decades before 1969 when Thoresby Estate leased the land to Nottingham County Council for the purpose of a more organised approach to the lucrative tourist trade. These Robin Hood statues stand in the nearby Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Edwinstowe, and are only included here because of that connection. The area is now owned by the RSPB.

Thoresby Park Art.

 

After the water colours of my Great Great Grandfather, William Catto of Aberdeen, Lady Manvers' art was the first I'd ever seen as a child. I remember on one occasion she even came into the school to select a model. I am in no doubt that seeing art as an adult "job" when I was so young, had an influence. Thoresby Park has continued to be an occasional muse. Pictured here are Thoresby Hall, The Woodyard, and various sketches of the River Meden. All are copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Lady Manvers, artist.

 

Lady Manvers, born Marie-Louise Roosevelt Butterfield (1889 -1984), was a talented and prolific artist. Noting her obvious passion for the subject, her father Sir Frederick Butterfield of Cliffe Castle, Yorkshire, enrolled her in the Julienne School of Art when the family moved to Paris in her early teens. This School concentrated on studious drawing from observation, the benefits of which are apparent in the strong draftsmanship underpinning all her work.

When Lady Manvers moved to Thoresby Park as wife to Gervas Evelyn Pierrepont, 6th Earl Manvers, she would take for her subject many of the people on the Estate. Her drawings and paintings are of keen historical interest today. Her sketchbook studies of those "Upstairs Downstairs" years, and the military presence during wartime preparations, are an invaluable and unique record of Thoresby at that time. However, I cannot help but feel a degree of loneliness in her paintings, a series of canvases set-up undisturbed throughout those empty rooms.

When her husband died in 1955 it meant the end of the Manvers line. After Lady Manvers died in 1984 her daughter Lady Rozelle allowed a small number of such sketches and paintings to be given to the sitters involved, and I still have the two letters from her authorizing this particular work to be given over to me. In 1991 Lady Rozelle oversaw the conversion of the Stable Block to the right of Thoresby Hall into an Art Gallery / visitors’ shop, which could celebrate her mother's work as well as display paintings by new artists. Following the death of Lady Rozelle, much of the gallery space was converted into a café / restaurant.

Below: Lady Manvers Self Portrait 1952.

You can read a piece I was asked to write about Lady Manvers for Nottingham University, on THIS LINK.
You can see more of her paintings in the Pierrepont Collection on THIS LINK.

Above: The Blue Drawing Room, Thoresby Hall. More Thoresby Hall interiors on THIS LINK.

Thoresby Hall meets Sabrina (1957).

 

 

Even in the 19th century Thoresby Hall had frequently invited tourists and sight-seers when it was convenient and the Earl was away. However, in 1957 Major Beattie (then husband to Lady Rozelle,  daughter of Countess Manvers), oversaw the formal procedures of making Thoresby Hall open to the general public on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Bank Holidays.

To mark this auspicious occasion he invited the voluptuous 1950's blonde celebrity Sabrina, whose "Sabrina Slept Here" publicity stunt had been targeted at several Stately Homes. Sabrina duly slept in Thoresby Hall on the night of 28th March 1957, the cause of much bawdy humour amongst male workers across the estate. It was also the Major's plan to have Sabrina dress as Maid Marian the following day (see picture above with Robin Hood statue) and serve the first guests with venison. As Lady Rozelle and Countess Manvers were holidaying in the Mediterranean at the time, their thoughts on the matter are not known.

Below: Thoresby Hall on a postcard dated August Bank Holiday, 1959, just two years after the Hall was opened to the public, long after Sabrina had left the building. If you visited Thoresby Hall at this time the admission price was 2 shillings and sixpence (25p) per adult, children half price. Car parking was 1 shilling (10p), motorcycles half price. The deer could still be seen relatively close by. A total admission figure for 1963 of 46,000, shows how popular an attraction Thoresby Hall quickly became.

Thoresby Hall interior as it once was.

 

Above: The entrance hall.

In its heyday as a stately home, open to the public, Thoresby Hall's visitors would be greeted by the amazing spectacle of this perfectly preserved Victorian Great Hall, with treasures too many to mention. Sadly, when Lady Manvers died in 1984, the Hall had already been the property of the National Coal board for 4 years, in accordance  with their possible intent to open a new mining vein beneath the Estate, and no doubt to minimize problems already caused by subsidence. Thoresby subsequently went through the hands of more than one speculator and much of what you see in these photographs was auctioned away.

Above: As long ago as 1907 the schoolchildren of Thoresby Estate would be invited to a Christmas Party at the Hall involving a meal, entertainment, and a gift. These parties were still a great treat in the 1950s and early 60s. The gifts dispensed at the end of the evening in the Great Hall, often had a distinct Robin Hood theme because they were mostly items that had been in the tourist's gift shop during the summer season!

 

Above: The magnificent Blue Drawing Room off the south west corner of the great hall, and deriving its name from the silk on the walls.

Above: One of Thoresby Hall's most popular attractions was always the carved oak fireplace in the library. This became erroneously credited to Richard J. Tuddesbury of Edwinstowe, who did indeed produce skilled carvings elsewhere for the interior. However, it was actually produced by Gerrard Robinson of Newcastle, where a newspaper reporter had witnessed its progress in his workshop. In 1869 Robinson was using a picture of this masterpiece as his trade card.

As a child, it would greatly amuse my family that certain items of this furniture had often been in our house at the Woodyard, where my father, the foreman at the Woodyard, effected their repair! Readers may also be amused to know that the firewood produced at the Woodyard for Lady Manvers, had to be cut to very exacting specifications. Only "billet wood", 9 inches (23 cm) long, 3 inches (8 cm) diameter, and free from all knots, was acceptable for her bedroom, sitting room, and dining room!

Above: The Small Drawing Room. Below: The State Dining Room.

Above: The Victoria Bedroom. Below: The Spare Bedroom.

Above: The Library.

Note: All photographs are taken from past visitor brochures. The coloured items are dated 1979. The black and white items are from the 1960s. The majority of the rooms depicted are no long accessible today and their contents auctioned away. Both the Library and the Blue Drawing Room have been available for use by hotel visitors taking afternoon tea during the 2000s. Intended visitors should check with the hotel if wanting to confirm such services are still available.