Earlier Houses: Worksop Manor was the seat of the ancient lords of Worksop. A manor house of circa 1585, designed by Robert Smythson, burned in 1761 and replaced by Paine's house of 1763-67. It was this earlier manor that served in 1568 as a prison of Mary, Queen of Scots.

House & Family History: The enormous house which Paine designed for the 9th Duke of Norfolk to replace the earlier house was never completed. The House was to be a square of 305 feet, with a gargantuan Egyptian Hall (140 feet long) in the central courtyard, a tribune, and an enormous staircase. When construction was stopped in 1767, with only one wing fully completed, even that was palatial in scale. Had the House been completed, it would have been one of the largest houses ever built in England. In 1838 the Earl of Surrey sold the Estate to the Duke of Newcastle for £375,000 (worth approximately £260 million in 2012 values, using the labor value commodity index). The duke stripped the House of lead and fittings and demolished the main wing (he was only interested in the Estate, which was contiguous to his own Clumber Park Estate). In the mid-19th century what was left (the Service Wing, parts of the Eastern Wing, and the Stableblock) were coalesced into a new house, which still stands. This ashlar house is a quadrangle of 23 bays wide by 14 bays deep, with hipped slate roofs. Traditionally, the lord of the manor of Worksop may assist a British monarch at his or her coronation by providing a glove and putting it on the monarch's right hand and supporting his or her right arm. King James I stayed at Worksop in 1603 on his progress south from Scotland to take the throne of England.

Comments: Christopher Hussey believed that, had Worksop been completed to Paine's plans, it would have been his masterpiece.

Garden & Outbuildings: Smythson also designed Worksop Manor Lodge, which survived virtually unaltered until 2007, when it burned down (it is currently being restored). Robert Abraham's works, including the Gardener's Cottage, were built for the Earl of Surrey. The Triumphal Arch from James Paine's work at Worksop is extant. Since the early 20th century the Estate has been home to Worksop Manor Stud, which breeds thoroughbred horses.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. III, 1820.

Country Life: CLIII, 678, 750 plan, 1973.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, 16th century; Talbot family here since the 14th century. Edward Howard, 9th Duke of Norfolk, 18th century; Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, later 13th Duke of Norfolk, 19th century; Howard family here from the 17th century until 1840. Henry Pelham Alexander Pelham-Clinton, 6th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, 19th century. Thomas Henry Foley, 4th Baron Foley, 19th century. William Isaac Cookson, 19th century. Sir John Robinson, late 19th-early 20th centuries.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No