Thorndon Park, (also known as Thorndon Hall), Brentwood, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

The site occupies about 243 hectares and includes the earthwork remains of the original Thorndon Hall which dated from between 1558 and 1603. A new hall was built in the early-18th century, designed by James Paine, with the deer park landscaped by Lancelot Brown in the 1760s. Part of the estate was designated as a country park in the 20th century, whilst part is given over to use as a golf course designed by Colt and Alison in 1920.

Brief history of site

The first contrived landscape at Thorndon came in about 1412 with the building of a brick lodge and the enclosure of 125 hectares of parkland. In 1576 John Petre began to rebuild the house and remodel the garden. During the 17th century little activity occurred on the Thorndon estate, but in the early-18th century the eighth Lord Petre commissioned Giacomo Leoni to partially remodel the Hall and went on to devise an extensive and highly elaborate formal scheme for the Thorndon landscape. The ninth baron embarked on the building of a new Hall designed by James Paine in 1763. Lancelot Brown was commissioned to bring the landscape up to date.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	177	Grid Ref:	TQ617917
Latitude:	51.60093	Longitude:	0.3333866

Key information:

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