The
Gosforth Park estate of about was owned from about 1509 by the
Brandling family. The house was built between 1755 and 1764 for Charles Brandling (1733–1802) to a design by architect
James Paine. Brandling also laid out the park and a lake.
Charles John Brandling (1769–1826) suffered financial problems as a result of which the estate was sold, in 1852, to Thomas Smith. In 1880, the house was sold with to High Gosforth Park Ltd, a company formed to establish a racecourse on the estate. A fire started by
suffragettes in 1914 destroyed the interior of the property.
Norah Balls admitted late in life to having been involved in the arson attack. Restoration of the house took place in 1921. == References ==