Nonsuch Park

Nonsuch Park is a public park in Surrey, England, lying between Stoneleigh, Cheam and Ewell in the borough of Epsom and Ewell. It borders the London Borough of Sutton, so it is an easy green escape from the capital's southern suburbs. It is the last surviving part of the Little Park of Nonsuch, a royal deer-hunting park that Henry VIII created around his palace.

Where does the name come from, and what stood here?

In the late 1530s Henry VIII began building Nonsuch Palace on this site, with work continuing through the 1540s. To make room, the existing village of Cuddington was levelled. The palace served the English royal family as a country residence in the 16th and 17th centuries. No palace buildings remain above ground today; what survives is the layout of the land and traces of its surroundings.

What is there to see?

On the highest point of the old Little Park stood the Banqueting House, which English Heritage dates to 1538-1546. Its base survives, protected as a scheduled monument and listed Grade II. The brick retaining wall was rebuilt in the 19th century, when the area became an arboretum. The site is managed jointly by Sutton and Epsom and Ewell councils.

At the centre of the park stands the Mansion House. In the 18th century Thomas Whately, author of a 1770 book on gardening, lived here and worked on the grounds. Today the ground-floor rooms can be hired for weddings and private parties.

What is a visit like?

The park is mostly wide open green space: meadows, avenues and patches of woodland, suited to walks, jogging or a family picnic. On site you will find the Nonsuch Pantry, serving drinks, snacks and ice cream, plus a public toilet. Disabled parking is next to the Mansion House. Barbecues are not permitted.

How the land was protected

The park was acquired in 1937 and opened to the public the same year. This preserved it as open space within the Metropolitan Green Belt around London.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for Nonsuch Park? No, it is a public park open to residents and visitors.

Can I see Nonsuch Palace? The palace itself did not survive. You can see the surviving base of the Banqueting House and the grounds of the former hunting park.

Can I have a barbecue? No, barbecues are not allowed.

Where can I get food or a drink? At the Nonsuch Pantry, which offers refreshments, snacks and ice cream.

Is there disabled access? Disabled parking is available beside the Mansion House.