NHER 51031 (Monument record) - Gressenhall Park

November 2007
A post medieval park associated with Gressenhall House (NHER 2823) is shown on historic maps. It was previously recorded as part of NHER 2823. This park is first shown on Faden’s county map of 1797 (S1). On that map it is depicted as a polygonal area lying to the south of Gressenhall church that was associated with ‘Gressenhall Hall’ the property of ‘John Hill Esq’. The 1813 Gressenhall enclosure map (S2) shows the park in more detail with plantations around its perimeter and a central circular copse. Its plan appears to have changed little by the time of the second edition 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map of the early 20th century (S3). The 18th and 19th century park was developed from an earlier medieval or early post medieval park or deer park (NHER 50576) that is shown on a 1624 estate map (S4). The northern half of the later park overlapped with the area of the earlier park. The areas common to both of the parks were labelled as ‘The Lawne’ and ‘The 30 A[cre] Close’ on the 1624 map. It is not clear at what date the changes in the layout of the park occurred, but it would be reasonable to suggest that they coincided with the construction of the now demolished 18th century Gressenhall House (NHER 2823). It was under arable cultivation by August 1988 (S5) but the surrounding plantations remain.
J. Albone (NMP), 20 November 2007

April 2024. Wendling Beck and Fransham Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project.
A variety of boundaries of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible within the park, mostly within its southern portion. These have been recorded separately, and interpreted as possible remnants of the boundary of the earlier, larger park NHER 50576 (see NHER 68222 and 68223), and probable boundaries relating to fields incorporated within this later park (see NHER 68225). A block of possible ridge and furrow, probably of post medieval date, has also been recorded (NHER 68226).
S. Tremlett (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 22 April 2024.