Historic Mansfield Woodhouse
Some interesting local sights
By Ralph Lloyd-Jones
The historic centre of Mansfield Woodhouse contains a superb concentration of vernacular architecture, every building 'having a story to tell'. Some, but by no means all, are shown in these photographs (mostly taken in early 2011). Because quarrying was a local industry, even quite ordinary houses were well-made out of stone and have survived down the centuries. The most important secular building is the Wolf Hunt House, so named because it was the home of the King's officially-appointed wolf hunter for Sherwood Forest. As wolves have been extinct in the area since the 15th Century, parts of the much altered house must predate that time; this is extremely early and rare in non-religious architecture in England.
Most of the buildings facing onto the High Street originally had long yards (some of which are visible to this day) that would have been used to corral livestock on market days. Many wide gateways and entrances to these yards can still be spotted. Several large 16th/17th Century houses (such as Clerkson's, Burnaby, the Manor House, etc.) are said to have been built for their convenient proximity to the Dukeries. Many have survived, now converted to other uses. It is good to note that some fine buildings, such as the Adult Education Centre and Christadelphian chapel, have retained their original purpose after at least a century of use.
The 1684 monument to Sir John and Lady Digby in St Edmund's church is described by Nikolaus Pevsner, the architectural historian, as 'atrociously provincial'. That tomb iis significant as a memorial to a Cavalier from the English Civil War, one of the few local gentlemen who went to fight for King Charles when he first set up his banner in Nottingham in August 1642. Sir John's statue has long since lost its sword, but Lady Digby retains what is said to be 'a pat of butter with which to grease the palm of St Peter' (to get into heaven).
As mentioned, here are just a few of the interesting and historic sights which can be spotted on any short walk round the centre of Mansfield Woodhouse.
Dial House
Station Street
The Dial
Possibly an hour out due to daylight saving, but still working
The New Inn
Station Street
Old stamp machines on the Post Office
1d, a halfpenny...
House in yard behind Post Office
1930s Tinplate advertisement filling window on that house
Avon Tyres began in 1885 and are still going strong
Agricultural/malthouses
Station Street
Framework knitters' house, said to be the oldest in the country
Note long windows, top left
Old windows
Late 17th/early 18th Century windows in Station Street
Portland Hotel and Parliament Oak Inn
Now a bookies and a pharmacy
Clerkson's Hall (1631)
Now divided into flats and offices
The Wolf Hunt House
Oldest secular building
Back of Wolf Hunt House
15th/16th Century doorway/small window
Ancient window on side of the Wolf Hunt House
The white upstairs window is 16th Century or earlier
Village lockup
High Street
Old Blacksmith's
This was the smithy within living memory
Smithy bellows
The blacksmith's bellows can still be seen under the rubbish
Winstanley's House, 16th/early 17th Century
High Street
18th Century house
Albert Street
Parmenter's Yard
Albert Street
Entrance to Parmenter's Yard
Houses in Parmenter's Yard
Christadelphian Chapel
Park Road
Adult Education Centre
Park Road
Adult Education Centre window and Edwardian sign
Village cross stump
Church Street
Burnaby House
Now Saville House School, Church Street
Sir John and Lady Digby
St Edmund's Church
Great War memorial
France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Italy are the four Fronts comemorated
"Woodhouse Castle"
The Manor House, also divided into flats