Woodlands/forests owned by the Duke of Manchester

[castlebob]

Hello All,
Does anyone know of any woodlands/forests in Hunts that were owned by the Duke of Manchester? A distant branch of my family worked the woods there in the 1800s, I believe.
Cheers
Bob

[bedfordshire boy]

The 1873 Return of Owners of Land shows the Duke of Manchester of Kimbolton Castle, as owning 13,585 acres of land having a gross estimated rental of £20,589-11-0. There's no breakdown of where the land is situated, nor is there a breakdown of the type of land.

David

[castlebob]

Thanks David,
Pretty substantial acreage! One of my ancestors was thought to have managed some woods/forests for the Duke, plus Carderet in Beds
Bob

[linmey]

He also rented the sporting rights to my GG grandfathers land for of £8 per annum. You would think that his own 13,585 acres would have been enough to keep him happy wouldnt you!!!

Linda.

[castlebob]

True, Linda
Probably shot out the wildlife on his own land!
Cheers
Bob

[linmey]

In the 1920s the Duke used to hunt there with George V and his sons and then pop in and expect to be fed and I believe on occasions had picnic lunches brought out into the fields.
Obviously thats what happened to the family fortune Bob!!

Linda.

[castlebob]

Fascinating stuff!
Bob

[linmey]

All very `feudal` back then wasnt it! So many of my family seem to have been employed by the Duke from gamekeepers to laundry women. I went round kimbolton Castle last November. I expect you have been Bob.

Linda.

[castlebob]

 
 Do you know if forestry records survive from the 1800s?
Thanks,
Bob