Norland Park is the residence at the center of the Dashwood family’s large country estate.
Architecture and Decor
Partway through the novel, we hear that the Dashwood girls discover “an ancient respectable looking mansion” in the neighborhood of Barton which, we are told, reminds them a little of Norland. We find out later that this house is Allenham.
Based on conversations between John Dashwood and Elinor, we are led to believe that John and Fanny make significant change to the home after Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters leave. Since much of the furniture and china go with the Dashwood women, John says, he and Fanny have to replace much of it. Furthermore, he adds that they are planning a flower garden and a green house “upon the knoll behind the house. The old walnut trees are all come down to make room for it. It will be a very fine object from many parts of the park, and the flower-garden will slope down just before it, and be exceedingly pretty. We have cleared away all the old thorns that grew in patches over the brow."
Park, Gardens, and Land
We also know that John Dashwood begins the enclosure process for Norland Commons somewhere after taking possession and before February, when he is in London.
