Discover Notts > The Dukeries Playground of kings In north-west Nottinghamshire lie the present day remains of Sherwood Forest, once the playground of kings and dukes. The landscape between Mansfield and Worksop originally comprised huge private estates, established by nobility in a 200 year shopping spree that used the profits from the industrial revolution: Clumber Park, Thoresby and Welbeck were the country seats of powerful dukes. Today, they are still known as ‘The Dukeries’. Inside the estates, the gentry built great country houses where they discussed great affairs of state, and hosted lavish banquets and parties that were the envy of fashionable society. The house at Clumber boasted a dining room that could seat 150 guests and its celebrated art collection included paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Vandyke and Claud Lorrain. Sadly the house was demolished in 1938, but the estate, now owned by the National Trust, can be visited all the year round. Worksop Manor was also demolished, but Thoresby Hall and Welbeck remain as imposing reminders of those days of ‘ducal grandeur’. Thoresby Hall was once close to dereliction but is now restored as a fine hotel and, although Welbeck is not open to the public, it is possible to visit the Harley Gallery on the estate. This houses fine art displays and has a permanent historical display about the Portland family. In Victorian days Welbeck was the home of the reclusive fifth Duke of Portland. He constructed a bizarre subterranean network of rooms underneath the house, including a library, chapel and a ballroom. All the rooms were lit by gas and all were rarely used. He even had a tunnel made, more than a mile underneath the park, so that he would not be seen going to and from the house! Rufford was another large country house in the middle of the county. It was the home of the Savile family and the ruins of the old house and its fine Victorian outbuildings are kept open as a major visitor attraction. Clumber Park
Clues to Clumber's historic past can be detected in the classical bridge and temples and the Gothic Chapel of Clumber Park. The walled kitchen garden is currently being restored to its Edwardian splendour. It once provided fruit and vegetables for the dining table of the Dukes of Newcastle and their guests. Stunning herbaceous borders, at their best in July, would have also provided cut flowers for the house. Within the garden is the Trust's longest glass house. At 450 ft in length, it provides cover for chrysanthemums, fuchsias and carnations as well as figs, grapes and peaches. Outside, a gardener's bothy (cottage) hosts an exhibition of historic tools; while the vast vegetable plots feature organic vegetables – including unusual varieties like skirret and salsify alongside ‘heritage’ vegetables such as ‘Mr Veitech's self-protecting cauliflower’. Capital for learning | Famous people | Nottingham history | Interesting facts | The Dukeries | Postcards | Virtual tours | Videos | Souvenirs | Nottingham hotels | UK family holidays | Nottingham bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) | Nottingham holiday cottages |
