Nonsuch Mansion

Nonsuch Mansion is a Grade II listed house located within Nonsuch Park in north Surrey, England. In medieval times it was part of the three thousand acre manor of Cuddington. The mansion was built in 1731-43 by Joseph Thompson and later bought by Samuel Farmer in 1799. He employed Jeffry Wyattville to rebuild it in a Tudor Gothic style in 1802-6. Farmer was succeeded by his grandson in 1838 under whom the gardens became famous.

Design

Nonsuch Mansion bears a resemblance in its design to the original design of Nonsuch Palace, whose construction was begun by King Henry VIII in the 16th Century.

Markings on the building

Built within the north porch of the mansion is a block from the original Nonsuch Palace that bears an inscription which means "1543 Henry VIII in the 35th year of His reign."

I S 4 3

HENRICV OC

TAVS*3 S

The Farmer's family crests are noticeable throughout the mansion, bearing a motto 'Hora e sempre' - now and forever. This is most visible in the South Porch where the crests have been painted above the three internal doorways, leading back to the North Porch, Rose room and the Orchid room.

Uses of the Building

The park came into public hands in 1937. The authorities were able to throw open its doors and Nonsuch Mansion became the centre piece for celebrations for many decades. Providers and Friends carefully preserved and protected the mansion and its story. The service wing is opened by the Friends of Nonsuch on some afternoons.

Nonsuch Mansion was closed due to ownership legalities and a drawn out planning process in 2004. This confusion has been resolved and a new operator is in place.

After careful refurbishment during summer 2009, the mansion is now open to the public as an event venue.

External links

• Friends of Nonsuch
• Nonsuch Mansion website
• British Listed Buildings, Nonsuch Park House, Ewell