Mapperley Park is a leafy suburb of Nottingham, a mile north of the city centre. Initially developed as an exclusive suburb for the Edwardian middle classes, Mapperley Park retains its architectural character and was designated a Conservation Area in 1976.
In 1877 the town of Nottingham substantially increased in size from 1,996 to 10,935 acres, through the Borough Extension Act. Mapperley, Carrington, and Sherwood, were among a number of satellite villages that were brought within the town.
The majority of the houses in Mapperley Park were built over a fifty year period from the 1900s onwards and the area has a distinctly Edwardian feel. Much of the northern part of Mapperley Park was developed on land that formerly belonged to Mapperley Hall, the grand home of the successful banking family, the Wrights.
Mapperley Park retains its leafiness, and the Conservation Area status means that the majority of trees have a preservation order that ensures the area retains its character.
Changes in lifestyle over the years has meant that a lot of the substantial family homes have been converted in to apartments. There has also been the addition of small mews developments and purpose built apartments that have given Mapperley Park a younger and more diverse demographic than the wealthy industrialist families the estate was originally built to house. Nevertheless, many large luxury homes remain, some with swimming pools and tennis courts.
Greater detail of the history of the area can be found in Ken Brand’s excellent An Introduction to Mapperley Park, published by Nottingham Civic Society. The Association has copies to sell for £3 for anyone interested. There is also greater detail in the Conservation Area Appraisal elsewhere on this website.
Mapperley Park 