Deer Parks

Monasteries, manors & economic powerhouses
Topic 3: Deer Parks

During the medieval period, a number of manors were granted the right to create deer parks.

These were usually close to, but not encompassing, the manor house and will be marked by a substantial boundary. This may have been a ditch, a bank or a hedge, or any combination of the three.

In later years country houses were moved to within the parks and the boundaries could be replaced with fences and walls, depending upon fashion and the availability of suitable materials.

Whilst deer parks seldom contained the main house, they often held accommodation for estate workers and lodges for visiting guests. It is possible that earthworks relating to these can survive within preserved parks and gardens.

Armstrong’s 1778 map showing the deer park with the addition of the recently build house.