The first reference to 'Northwode Park' appears in 1388, with reference to the property of Archbishop Neville. At this point the land was used for arable farming, cattle and pigs; the underwood was used for fencing. Norwood was probably emparked at about this date, or a little earlier, with approximately 140 acres enclosed (1).
The park was surrounded by ditches and substantial earth banks, topped by a pale, with an occasional gap which allowed deer in, but not out of, the area. The ditches and banks are still clearly distinguishable boundary features surrounding much of the park. In 1649 Edward Cludd had a map prepared, showing the area of the deer park … also clearly marked are the two ponds … presumably used to water the deer and are likely to to have been a feature of the original emparkment. (2)
The park in the manor of Southwell was given to the Archbishops of York by Royal Charter in 956 A.D. It was one of four in the area, the others being Hexgrave, Hockerwood and Southwell New Park. It was set out as a Deer Park in around 1250 comprising approximately 100 acres. The perimeter ditches and banks are still visible in a number of areas. Also dating from this period are the two fishponds located at the eastern corner of the park. The larger of the two is likely to have been the vivarium or breeding pond, the smaller one the servatorium or holding pond. The park remained in the ownership of the Archbishops until the Commonwealth. Saxton's County map of 1576 shows Norwood as being emparked. John Speed's map of 1670, however, does not. (3)
Park of the Archbishop of York, first mention 1388. (4)
See MNT26684 for later Park.

<1> Thoroton Society, 1986, TTS, pp 14 - 29 (Published document). SNT1575.

<2> Dawson Taylor Landscape, 1993, A Report on the Deer Park and Parkland, Norwood, near Southwell. An EIA relating to the proposed layout of a nine hole golf course. (Unpublished document). SNT2084.

<3> Biggadyke J, 1995, Norwood Hall - Register Review Report (Unpublished document). SNT4576.

<4> Cantor LM, 1983, The Medieval Parks of England: A Gazetteer, pp 58-9 (Monograph). SNT1789.