Following the fire of 1642, which severely damaged the estate, Francis Willoughby returned to his ancestral seat. Francis, alongside his siblings Cassandra and Thomas, immediately embarked on the task of restoration and expansion. This concerted family effort was crucial in repairing the structure and making the hall habitable again.
This period marked a significant shift for the estate. Once the restoration was complete, the hall assumed a new importance within the family and served as the primary residence for the Willoughby family for over two centuries, a role it maintained until the 1850s. This long tenure as the family’s main home cemented the hall’s position in their history and ensured its continued upkeep and development through subsequent generations.
We are continually working to ensure the accuracy of this timeline. Should you find any errors or omissions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
1672
Francis Willoughby Inherits Hall
Inherited the hall at the age 4.
He was created a Baronet in 1677, at the age of five, in recognition of his father’s scientific work.
More…
1677
1688
Thomas Willoughby, 1st Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Brother of Frances.
Sheriff of Nottingham and a politician. More information… He loved the Gardens at Wollaton and had interest in botany, which he inherited from his father.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission
1688
Cassandra Willoughby
Thomas Willoughby and sister Cassandra, returned to the Hall, making it their principal residence.
Cassandra Willoughby played a significant role in the restoration of Wollaton Hall and its gardens, and meticulously cataloged the family archives and natural history collections.
Moved her fathers collections of “dried birds, fish, insects, shells, seeds, minerals and plants” to Wollaton, laying the foundation for today’s Natural History Museum.
Late 1690 ish
1695
Siberechts Painting
Jan Siberechts’ 1695 painting is a key record of the Hall historic grandure. It offers a magnificent bird’s-eye view, meticulously detailing the architectural grandeur and capturing the extensive gardens and working farmlands.
Also a 1697 version showing evolution of the gardens.
1700 – 1705
Landscaping
Gardens below the southern terrace restyled, adding pond and fountain. More Information...
Lime Tree Avenue and Sweet Chestnut Avenue Planted.
Historic Context: 1702: Accession of Queen Anne
1707
Kip Engraving
An engraving by Jan Kip from a drawing by Leonard Knyff shows the tree-lined avenues.
1710
1715
1729
Francis Willoughby, 2nd Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Educated at Eton. A politician. More information…
1742
1758
Francis Willoughby, 3rd Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Educated at Bury St Edmund’s School, Cambridge. More information…
Memorial in St Leonards Church.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission.
Historic Context: 1760: Accession of George III.
1760: HMS Victory launched – built with 5500 Oak Trees
1774
Thomas Willoughby, 4th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Politician. More information…
Memorial in St Leonards Church.
Photo: Wikipedia.
1774
Landscaping
Lake enlarged and “Boat House” added. More Information…
Stable Block Exended. More Information…
1781
Henry Willoughby, 5th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
High Sheriff of Yorkshire.
More information…
Memorial in St Leonard’s Church.
Photo: Mutual Art
1780’s
Landscaping
1783: Foundations laid for the Walled Garden. More information…
1784: Pleasure Garden created (Formal Garden). More information…
1788: Ha Ha’s built. More information…
1786: 11,300 Oak trees planted covering 25 acres.
1790
Iron Gates
Iron Gates on Lime Tree avenue installed.
1800
Henry Willoughby, 6th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
A keen fox hunter. More information…
Henry’s Memorial is in St. Leonard’s Church.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission.
Historic Context: 1805: Battle of Trafalgar.
1800’s
Landscaping
1800: Lake further extended to current form. More Information…
1800ish, Gazebo built. More Information…
1800ish, Doric Temple built. More Information…
1810’s
Landscaping
1813: Trees planted in Thompson Wood (Referred to as Chouler’s Plantation). More Information…
1816: The duck decoy, behind the lake in Wollaton Park, was created to catch wildfowl for food. More Information…
1820’s
Landscaping
1821: Diversion of Derby Road and new portion of park wall created.
1823: Camellia House built. More Information…
1826: Ice house built. More Information…
1829: The building now housing the Industrial Museum constucted. More Information…
1832: Beeston Lodge Built. More Information…
Historic Context: 1820: Accession of George IV
1835
Digby Willoughby, 7th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
A Royal Naval Officer. More information…
Photo: Wikipedia
Historical Context: 1837: Accession of Queen Victoria
1836 to 1850
Landscaping
1836: Digby Avenue planted. More Information…
1840: Lime Tree Avenue re-planted. More Information…
1850: Giant Sequoias (Wellingtonia) planted in Cambridge Road Field.
1850: Rose Garden established. More Information…
1856
Henry Willoughby, 8th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
A Captain in the Scot’s Fusilier Guards. More information…
Did not live in the Hall, preferring Birdsall House as his primary residence.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission.
1877
Digby Willoughby, 9th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
A Captain in the Scot’s Fusilier Guards. More information…
Chapel dedicated to his memory in St Leonards (see inscription).
Did not live in the Hall, preferring Birdsall House as his primary residence.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission.
1888
1922
Godfrey Willoughby, 10th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Naval and military career. More information…
Godfrey faced death duties of 40% on the estate.
Photo Copyright © Private Collection. Reproduced with Permission.
1924
Michael Willoughby, 11th Baron Middleton inherits Hall
Soldier, awarded the Military Cross in India. More information…
With Digby’s death duties not fully paid, Michael faced double death duties.
Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Creative Commons License
1925
Hall Sold
To cover death duties, the hall is sold to Nottingham Corporation now Nottingham City Council. More information…
Information Sources
- Wollaton Hall website 🔗
- Wollaton Historical and Conservation Society 🔗
- Willoughby Family 🔗
- Nottingham Civic Society 🔗
- Industrial Museum website 🔗
- Conservation Plan for Wollaton Hall and Park, NCC 2002
- Restoration & Management Plan, NCC 2002 and 2009 Addendum
- Historic England 🔗
- University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections 🔗
- Transport Nottingham Wollaton Park Walk Appendix 🔗
- Pall Mall Magazine, 1900
- Country Life Magazine, 1900
- “Short History of Wollaton and Wollaton Hall”, Sheila Strauss, 1978
- “Park for all Seasons”, Rachel Marshal, 1996
- “The Landscape of Wollaton Park”, Stephen Daniels…, Nottingham University 1999
- “Wollaton Hall and the Willoughby Family”, Pamela Marshall, 1999
- “Wollaton Park Nature Trail”, NCC, Dr Sheila Wright, 1999
- “Great Nottinghamshire Gardens”, Philip Jones, 2001
- Sutton Passeys Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2010 🔗
- Other sources as cited inline.
Timeline created by Colin Robbins.