Norton House, Somerset facts for kids
Norton House was a large, grand home, also known as a mansion, located in Midsomer Norton, Somerset. It was built around 1789 by the Savage family. This family made their money by investing in the coal mines of the Somerset Coalfield. Sadly, the house was taken down between 1937 and 1938 to make room for new houses. However, some parts of the old house and its gardens can still be seen today.
Contents
The Beginning of Norton House
In 1789, a man named Thomas Savage started building Norton House. He chose a spot close to the center of Midsomer Norton. The Savage family were very important in the local area because they owned many coal mines. When the house was built, they also planted many trees on the nearby hills. These trees made the area look beautiful.
Water for the House
Thomas Savage wanted running water inside his new home. So, he hired special workers to build a springhead on a hill above the house. This springhead collected water and sent it down pipes to Norton House. In 2013, this old springhead was fixed up and looks almost new again.
Later, around 1881, a new water company was started in Midsomer Norton. This meant the springhead was no longer needed for water. It was then changed into an ice house. An ice house is a special building used to store ice all year round. To keep the ice cold, the building was covered with a stone roof and buried under a mound of earth. The ice itself would have been collected in winter from a nearby pond. This pond was probably made just for this purpose, and you can still see it today.
The Grand Gates
Even though the house is gone, you can still see the stone gate posts from Norton House. They are in Silver Street, Midsomer Norton. These tall stone posts were built around the 1830s. They have fancy designs at the top, including a pattern that looks like honeysuckle flowers. The original cast iron gates, which had flower designs, are no longer there. These gate posts are considered important historical items.
Later Years and When It Was Demolished
Over time, the land around Norton House changed. In 1874, a new railway line was built right through the estate. This railway, called the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, connected Bath and Bournemouth. This meant the house was separated from some of its land.
When the last member of the Savage family passed away in 1888, the house was sold. A man named Frederick Bird bought it with 27 acres of land. After he died in 1904, the house was bought by Gerald Thatcher. His brother was a famous composer, Sir Reginald Thatcher.
In 1912, a person known as Prince Tschajkowsky bought the house. People believed he was from Russia. He made many improvements to the house. However, he left within two years, and there were stories about him owing money. During World War I, Norton House was used to give shelter to people who had to leave their homes in Belgium.
Old photographs show that Norton House was a beautiful Georgian-style mansion. It had lovely lawns, carefully designed gardens, and a glass conservatory.
After the war, the building was used as a school for a while. Finally, Norton House was taken down in 1937 and 1938. The land where it stood is now covered by houses, Somervale School, and the Silver Street Nature Reserve.
Silver Street Nature Reserve
Today, part of the old Norton House grounds is a special place called Silver Street Nature Reserve. It is located next to the restored Midsomer Norton railway station. Visitors to the reserve can see the springhead that once supplied water to Norton House. You can also explore the ponds that were part of the house's beautiful gardens.
Images for kids
-
The Crimean War monument in former grounds of Norton House, Midsomer Norton
