Meldon Park is a privately owned country mansion situated at Meldon, Northumberland. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

Lodge and gateway to Meldon Park, 2010

Present building

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In 1832, Isaac Cookson commissioned architect John Dobson to replace the old manor, which stood on the banks of the River Wansbeck, with a new mansion, which was completed in 1835.[1] During the 20th century, extensive internal improvements and embellishments were carried out by Edwin Lutyens.[1]

Historical ownership

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The Manor of Meldon was anciently held by the Fenwick family from whom it passed by marriage to the Radclyffes.[2] James Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater lost the estate to the Crown following his attainder for treason in the 1715 Jacobite rising.[2] The house was put on the market for sale in 2022.[3]

Cookson family

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The Crown granted the estate to the Greenwich Hospital, by whom it was sold in 1832 for £55,000 to Isaac Cookson, a wealthy Newcastle upon Tyne merchant.[2] Cookson was Mayor of Newcastle in 1809 and High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1838. In 1881, the Cookson family lived in some style with eighteen servants.[4] The house and grounds were sold in Dec 2022. Meldon Park offers holiday accommodation (known as Meldon Cottage) which is available to book.[5]

Resources

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The Cookson Family Papers are archived at Durham University Library Archives.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Keys to the Past[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b c History, Topography and Directory of Northumberland William Whellan (1855)
  3. ^ [1] Country Life
  4. ^ 1881 Census
  5. ^ "Meldon Cottage in Morpeth, Northumberland - Houses for Rent in Morpeth, Northumberland, United Kingdom". Airbnb. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  6. ^ "Catalogue of the Cookson Family Papers".
  • Country House Rescue; Channel 4; 12 July 2012

55°09′48″N 1°49′56″W / 55.16333°N 1.83222°W / 55.16333; -1.83222