Introduction
Northwick Park has a landscape park laid out by William Emes in the late-18th century. The mansion itself has been converted into residential apartments and the larger estate has many new buildings, some of which serve as a business park.
- History
The village of Blockley was originally part of Worcestershire and was only transferred to Gloucestershire in 1931. Because of this geographical anomaly, there are no accounts of the area and its estates in any of the older reference books on Gloucestershire.
From the 14th century until around 1680, the estate was the seat of the Childe family. It was then purchased by Sir James Rushout and remained in the family until the 20th century. The last member of the family, Captain Spencer Churchill, died in 1964.
After a period of use as a drug rehabilitation centre, the house suffered fire damage and was vacated. It became neglected and decayed until the early-1990s, when it was renovated and converted into apartments.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Northwick Park
- Grade: I
Features
- Orangery
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Fountain
- Description: Cast-iron fountain in shallow circular stone basin.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Mansion (featured building)
- Description: The Jacobean house has been divided into apartments.
- Lake
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Civil Parish
Blockley
- References
References
- Atkyns, R and others {The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire} (London: W. Bowyer for Robert Gosling, 1712) The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire
- Kingsley. N., {The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Volume 2, 1660-1830} (Cirencester: Phillimore, 1992), pp. 188-91 The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Vol. II 1660-1830
- Verey, D., {The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 1, The Cotswolds} (London: Penguin, 1970), pp. 522-4 The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds
- Mowl, T., {Historic Gardens of Gloucestershire} (Stroud: Tempus, 2002), p. 106 Historic Gardens of Gloucestershire
Contributors
Gloucestershire Gardens & Landscape Trust
Mary Blumer