Norrels Lodge South

One of a pair of lodges which once straddled Lord Lovelace’s historic driveway from Ockham Park to Horsley Towers.

After Lord Lovelace acquired the East Horsley Park estate in 1840, he built a private road to connect what would become Horsley Towers with his home on the Ockham Park estate, a drive of some 4 miles.  A pair of lodges were located part-way along this drive, which is now the residential road called Norrels Drive.

A combined Grade II listing applies to both Norrels Lodge North on the left side of the drive (heading from Forest Road) and Norrels Lodge South opposite. Today, both lodges are separate private residential dwellings on opposite sides of Norrels Drive, although the original iron gates, hanging permanently open, still provide a reminder of their original function.

The external walls of Norrels Lodge South have elaborate Lovelace-style decoration including ornate terracotta brickwork on all sides and a deep round arch on the gable end above the decorated metalled window. The slate roof is topped by two impressive stacks of twin chimneys.  

The precise date of construction of both lodges is uncertain since the date plaques are unreadable. However, local historian, Pam Bowley, in her book ‘East Horsley: the Lovelace village’ suggests the decoration they display is consistent with their being built during the 1860’s.

LOCATION:  On the right side of Norrels Drive 130 metres from the Forest Road junction.