Introduction
The site has a landscaped park set around a house built in the mid-19th century.
The site consists of a large landscaped park approached by fine gatepiers with twisted urns.
Sale particulars from 1925 described an estate of 145 acres (about 59 hectares). The house was approached by a fine avenue of oaks and limes, and surrounded by pleasure gardens which included a rock garden. The sale particulars from 10 years later mentioned 'beautiful old gardens' with a walled kitchen garden.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
The history of the site is somewhat obscure. It was owned by George Giffard in 1613. The estate was divided on his death. Lower Norton (including the Hall) passed to the Fiennes family and then to a Mr. Maunder, who sold it to Thomas Eden in 1779. The north-east corner of the house is believed to date from that time. The estate was owned by the Earls of Harrowby in 1840, by James Fenton in 1868 and by Samuel Bruce from around 1879.
The house was used as a hospital during World War 1. In 1925, it was bought by a Mrs. Willoughby, who stripped out some of the internal decoration. It was sold to the father of the present owner in 1935. According to Kingsley, the family moved out to the home farm and let the house in 1996.
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Gate piers
- Grade: II
Features
- Urn
- Description: Twisted urns.
- Gate
- Description: The park is approached by fine gatepiers.
- House (featured building)
- Description: The house is of unadorned brick. It has five bays, two storeys and a stone parapet with a pedimented central porch on paired Tuscan columns. There are additions dating from the mid-19th century at the rear and further alterations by Guy Dawber in 1894.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Part: standing remains
Hectares
59
Civil Parish
Weston Subedge
- References
References
- Atkyns, Robert {The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire} (London: W. Bowyer for Robert Gosling, 1712) The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire
- Brewer, James Norris {Delineations of Gloucestershire; being views of the principal seats of nobility & gentry} (London: Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper, 1825) Delineations of Gloucestershire; being views of the principal seats of nobility & gentry
- Kingsley, Nicholas {The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Vol. I 1500-1660} (Cheltenham: Phillimore, 1989) 194-5 The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Vol. I 1500-1660
- Kingsley, Nicholas {The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Vol. II 1660-1830} (Chichester: Phillimore, 1992) The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Vol. II 1660-1830
- Verey, David {The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds} (London: Penguin, 1970) 148 The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds
- Verey, David {The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and the Forest of Dean} (London: Penguin, 1970) The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and the Forest of Dean
- Ralph Bigland {Historical, Monumental and Genealogical, Relative to the County of Gloucester} (London, 1791) Historical, Monumental, and Genealogical Collections relative to the County of Gloucester
- Nicholas Pearson Associates {Norton Hall Parkland Plan} (2012) Norton Hall Parkland Plan
Contributors
Gloucestershire Gardens and Landscape Trust
Joan Jones