THE HISTORY OF WOOLVERSTONE PARK - SEAT OF THE BERNERS FAMILY By Simon Pearce

Winter talk - LIVE
With panoramic views of the Orwell Estuary and the wooded shores beyond, Woolverstone Hall was built in 1776 for William Berners of London to a design by John Johnson. The estate was already emparked and the former manor had passed through prestigious local owners including Knox Ward who probably planted some of the great oaks still standing. Over the years the Berners family bought a lot of land and property on the Shotley Peninsula, including the ornate gardens at Holbrook Ponds which were used for recreation. In the mid 19th century John Berners built an estate village and made improvements to the garden and estate with the help of William Andrews Nesfield and his son W. Eden Nesfield. The Nesfields used adjoining land at Freston to create a new carriage drive through parkland, entered past a new lodge and used Freston Tower and the church as eye catchers. The Woolverstone estate was enhanced with walled and terraced gardens, an obelisk, ice house, stables, glasshouses, ferneries and a deer park. Simon will lead us through the history of this fascinating estate.

Freston Park has just been listed by Historic England as a result of research done by the SGT research group and the SUGS project. Research on Woolverstone Park has also been submitted.

Simon Pearce is a local historian who has extensively researched and shared the history of the Berners family, particularly their connection to Woolverstone Hall. He is known for his book on the life of Mary Alice Berners and has written about the Berners family's legacy in Woolverstone.