| Description | Old Park. Demesne park of the earls Warenne. Contained two lodge complexes (tentatively identified with Park Lodge PRN 4679 and Old Park at SE 3545 2187), a fish pond, and detached barns for the storage of winter feed. New Park (SE 3583 2188) and Welbeck (ca. SE 359 217), both now destroyed, may represent medieval farms within the area of the park.
Old Park contained a small inner park, the function (and exact location? ) of which is unknown; also encompassed enclosed gardens, and enclosed fields within the park boundaries. Iron ore was smelted within the park. Although the park boundary can be easily traced at the west, south and east sides on the 1st edn OS 6 map, identification of the north boundary is tentative (see paper record for the two alternatives). The Old Park is now largely built over or damaged by mining activity, canalisation and diversion of the River Aire, etc., although the area of Park Lodge still appears to be open ground and may contain remains of arch. interest. The largest part of the former area of the Park is subject to redevelopment proposals by Wakefield MDC (1992), on which WYAS have commented (see WYAS May 1991 An assessment of the Archaeological and Historical Resources of the Welbeck Project Area). |