Welcome to my website. I hope you enjoy your read as much as I have enjoyed researching and putting it all together....well apart from those late night site-building 'what the...... moments'. If you have any comments please feel free to email me by the contacts box - I won't be offended if you feel some of the facts are incorrect! Or if you have anything further to add or can supply any photos that would be most welcome. The site is purely non-profit and mostly of local interest to the community. Some pages contain flash (swf) files that may not run on your computer depending on the compatibility of your browser, which may throw up an error or security risk message.
Stuffynwood Hall was built in 1857 by Charles Paget, MP for Nottingham. He acquired 201 acres from the William Hollins Company, eventually developing it into the Stuffynwood Estate. It is situated in Derbyshire in an area called Pleasley Vale. The river Meden, which runs through the Vale, is the county boundary line with neighbouring north Nottinghamshire and the town of Mansfield. He built Stuffynwood Hall for his son, Joseph, soon to be married to the Dean of Derby's daughter, Helen A. Abney of Measham Hall. The main residence for the Nottinghamshire Pagets was at Ruddington Grange, a 400 acre estate that Charles built in 1828. Charles' architectural taste had been influenced by the newly designed & refurbished Westminster Palace, having been elected to Parliament in 1856. Westminster had been rebuilt in what is known as Victorian Gothic, a revival of grand medieval architecture recreated by A.W.Pugin. One of the sources of magnesium limestone used in the rebuilding of Westminster was from 'Parliament Quarry' in Mansfield and it is likely that Charles Paget used the same stone. Joseph Paget was influenced by Italian architecture, his extensions to the main house later were built in 'Italianate Style', distinguished by lofty towers, a characteristic of the affluent mansion houses built during the Italian Renaissance period. The Paget family's shareholding in the Pleasley Mills business had been held since the early 1800's after a marriage brought the Pagets and Hollins families together. It was a successful partnership of families with similar religious and political beliefs. The Hollins' managed the affairs of the company on a daily basis, however, the Pagets were more involved in public office and had other major shareholdings in banking and textile businesses.
The Hall took its name from the Stuffyns (alt. sp. Stuffins) whom for generations had lived at Stuffynwood. The early Stuffyns were the agisters of Sherwood Forest, controlling the grazing rights for the King. In 1236, records show that King Henry III ruled on a land dispute, upholding the charter granted by King John to Robert Stuffyn, owner of the Manor of Mansfield Woodhouse. Later, records show that Hugh Stuffyn, was granted land at Shirebrook, which is believed to be the estate still known as Stuffynwood. The Stuffynwood branch of the family were primarily involved with the protection of the King's venison and maintaining and administrating the neighbouring Pleasley Park, a Royal hunting Forest. A listed house on the estate has timber core samples dated to 1470, while parish registers surviving from the 16thC, record Stuffyn christenings at St Michael's, Pleasley through the 16th to 18th centuries.
As well as delving into the history of Stuffynwood, I have researched the history of former residents and unearthed some very interesting characters including the actor John Hurt's grandfather, Henry Hurt, who was a gardener on the Estate!......and of course there's 'Evil Edna' who appears on the Most Haunted link in the chapter 'Remains' - put your speakers on for that encounter.
Enjoy your read and please keep checking back for updates.
Grant Pearcy