A watercolour wall hanging of the arguably Henry VIII’s grandest building project was unveiled at the launch of a bid for funding to improve an historic park on Monday night.

A print of Joris Hoefnagel’s 1572 watercolour of Nonsuch Palace was revealed at Epsom Town Hall on Monday, January 25.

The unveiling coincided with the launch of the Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee’s project to apply for Heritage Lottery funding to improve the park and enhance the public’s knowledge of Nonsuch Palace.

Construction on the palace started in 1538 on a site between Epsom and Sutton and took several years to complete.

Nonsuch Palace would have cost more than £100million if built today, and Henry VIII hoped it would rival Francis I of France’s Chateau de Chambord.

It was razed to the ground by Barbara, Countess of Castlemaine, mistress of Charles II, around 1682-3.

Mike Teasdale, the chairman of Nonsuch Park Joint Management Committee believes the project could greatly improve the area, if the committee’s bid is successful.

He said on Tuesday: “Last night was only the first step in a relatively long-term project, but I’m excited about it.

“So many people think the park is wonderful to walk around and I truly believe Nonsuch Palace is a little gem.”

The wall hanging has been loaned to the council by the Lord of the Manor of Nonsuch Dr Tim Carter, and can be viewed at Epsom Town Hall.

Members of the public are welcome to see the hanging of Nonsuch Palace by Joris Hoefnagel but are asked to contact the Town Hall in advance to make an appointment.