On a visit to Worcestershire in 1575, Queen Elizabeth I’s attention was grabbed by John Pakington (1548-1625), of the manor of Hampton Lovett, near Droitwich.

She invited him to her court in London, where he lived in great splendour, and nicknamed him ‘Lusty Pakington’ on account of his great strength and sporting prowess.  It is said that he once laid a wager with three other courtiers to swim from the Palace of Westminster to London Bridge, but the ‘Virgin Queen’ forbade the contest.

He was ”very high in the Queen’s grace” and was knighted in 1587, but it wasn’t to last and he returned to Droitwich. After marrying wealthy widow Dorothy Smith in 1598, he built Westwood House on the estate of a former nunnery, near Hampton Lovett, which had been granted to his great uncle (also Sir Pakington) by Henry VIII (see separate entry).

The marriage was a turbulent one and within a few short years Sir John and ”his little violent lady parted on foul terms”. Dorothy departed for London but her luggage, sent ahead, was stolen. Believing her husband had instructed men to plunder her she had him hauled before the courts and he was jailed. 

Westwood House, inherited after his death by Pakington’s grandson (also John, see separate entry) still dominates the skyline to the west of Droitwich. The addition of its four diagonal wings was a precursor of the Butterfly Plan which became popular in the 19th century.

The estate, called Westwood Park, is Grade II listed in the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens and includes a huge lake, dug by Sir John, which is used for water skiing.

Westwood House was converted into 12 luxury self-contained apartments. The kitchen garden covers the site of a long lost nunnery. Click here for a video by Andrew Grant estate agents that explores the interior and exterior of Westwood House.