Nonsuch Park is named after the ‘unequalled’ palace built for King Henry VIII in 1538. Nonsuch Palace was the first great Renaissance building in England taking nine years to build and costing £24,000, a phenominal sum at that time.
The palace passed to King Edward VI and then Queen Mary I, who sold it to the Earl of Arundel. It returned to royal ownership during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, until it was gifted to Barbara Villiers, King Charles II extravagent mistress. Barbara Villiers sold the palace and it was demoloished for materials used to build the new local spa town of Epsom. Nothing remains of the palace today.
A model of Nonsuch Palace from the south side (Friends of Nonsuch/ Dr.J.Crook FSA). The obelisk marker, in the photographs that follow, is located where the fountain stood
The Formal Gardens
The Mansion House, at the centre of Nonsuch Park, was completed in 1743 by Joseph Thompson and later remodelled in the Tudor Gothic style by Jeffry Wyattville in 1806The Mansion HouseNonsuch Park covers an area of 250 acres featuring a large open space with The Avenue and connecting pathsThe tree-line is the site of the former palace
Three obelisks mark the front, middle and rear of the palace
Nonsuch Park provides fifeteen miles of criss-crossing tracks perfect for running and cycling
