Jane Austen’s ‘Netherfield’ or Balls Park

This fine pencil drawing was preserved in a scrapbook belonging to Augusta Mary Lyons-Howard (1821-1886). The drawing depicts Ball Park, a fine mid 17th century house set in a garden landscape and situated in Hertford. Then home to Lord Townshend, the house is said to have been the inspiration for Netherfield, the home of Mr Bingley, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.

The house takes its name from its original owner back in 1297, Simon de Ball. Passing through several hands and having been re-built in 1637, the house and estate was inherited in 1759 by society hostess Etheldreda Townshend and remained in her family until 1901. A large quantity of artworks from the Wallace Collection were secretly transported to Balls Park in 1940 to keep them safe from the blitz. The house, still looking much as it did when this drawing was taken, has since been developed into residential apartments.

The drawing was probably made during a weekend house party. Augusta, the artist, was married to Henry Granville FitzAlan-Howard, later the 14th Duke of Norfolk. It is set in a period dark wood frame with a gilt slip and has a label on the reverse dating it to 1850.