Nether Park is arguably one of the most stunning Georgian small estates within commuting distance to London.
A member of the prestigious “Historic Houses of Britain”, Nether Park House is Grade II* listed with an illustrious history as well as benefitting from extensive modernisations across the estate and outbuildings.
Originally the site of Nether Court, built for Queen Emma of Normandy, who married King Aethelred of England (parents of Edward the Confessor). Through her subsequent marriage to King Cnut the Great, she was Queen of England, Denmark & Norway.
The manor house, known as Nether Court, was the original building on the site of which Nether Park stands today. It was sub-tenanted in the 12th century to the family of Thomas de Burghfield , who proudly took his name from the village, and the manor was given a the royal title of ‘Regis’ by King Edward IV. Other known tenants of Regis Nether Court include Sir Nicholas De La Beche (1291 -1345), and his family who were influential and powerful landowners during the reigns of Edward II and Edward III.
Nether Park as we know it today is a Grade II* listed Georgian house built around the bones of the original Nether Court. The building was built in the late 16th century, altered and extended in the early 18th century and again in the early 20th Century with the addition of the north west block. Flanked by four chimneys which service the 18th century fireplaces, the brick house has a hipped old tile roof, a narrow string at the first floor and wood cornice with fluted frieze and a brick parapet.
In 1950, Nether Park was bought by Ralph Merton, an industrialist, and his wife Esther. A keen and talented gardener, Esther transformed the grounds using her love of unusual shrubs and flowers, to create a garden that was famously always in bloom. With yew hedges, formal lawns and spectacular herbaceous borders, the gardens were open to the public to visit, explore and enjoy the wonderful oasis Esther had created.
