The Estate

Normanby was bought from Nicholas Girlington in 1591 and the house was re-built sometime in the 1590’s by the most famous architect of the time, Robert Smythson, who built Doddington Hall near Lincoln and Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire.

The first house to be built by Robert Sheffield was designed by Robert Smirke who also built the British Museum and many other prominent, public and private buildings and the later wings were built in 1904 by Brierley of York who was also one of the most prominent architects of the day. A more detailed history of family can be obtained either from the Estate Office or from the Sutton Park Estate site www.statelyhome.co.uk

Normanby Estate is a mixed agricultural, commercial and residential estate located to the North of Scunthorpe. The Estate is the home to Sir Reginald and Lady Victoria Sheffield who reside at Thealby Hall and all of the family property interests are managed from the Estate Office which is in the village of Normanby.

No matter which residence the family happened to be staying at, fresh fruit from the gardens at Normanby was sent to them. In return, the family sent hampers of dirty laundry back to Normanby for washing!

The house was converted for use as an Army convalescent hospital during WWI. Rather than move out to make room for the hospital, the Sheffield family and their servants remained to help take care of the wounded soldiers. The story of ‘Normanby at War’ is told in a series of very moving displays on the first floor of the house.