Nicholson to design the Mansion House. Formally known as Roundhay Park Mansion, the large mansion was built in ashlar stone in classical Georgian style; of two storeys with seven bays, the centre three set behind an iron portico. Thomas's son, Stephen Nicholson Esq., inherited the house and became the Lord of the Manor of Roundhay. Roundhay township's 1,467 acres were recorded in 1842 as being "mostly the property of Stephen Nicholson". The Mansion House was unused for many years after the departure of catering firm, Gilpin's. Events and catering company 'Dine' was appointed by Leeds City Council to run the Mansion, and in 2009, after refurbishment and gaining a civil ceremony licence, the Mansion re-opened to the public. The venue contains a restaurant and cafe, and hosts private functions. From the early 1800s, a number of farming estates with large houses were built in Roundhay and some houses are now grade II listed; The Mansion at Roundhay Park (c. 1811), Elmete Hall (1865) and Beechwood (c. 1820). Scottish architect George Corson designed a large wing known today as Corson House at Roundhay's Beechwood Estate and in 1873, he won a competition to design a number of substantial villas along Park Avenue, "the jewel in Leed's crown", and West Avenue on the fringe of Roundhay Park. The villas were built on plots of an acre or more with separate coach houses, stables and servants' quarters at the back so as not to be seen from the park. Woodlands Hall (known originally as Roundhay Mount and later as Carr Head), Parc Mont and several other mansions along Park Avenue are architecturally significant. Roundhay Park Roundhay Park (2.8 km2), is a Victorian park, the second largest city park in Europe after the 'Englischer Garten' (3.7 km2), in Munich, Germany. Roundhay Park comprises more than of parkland, lakes and woodland. The park has scented gardens for the blind, National Plant Collections, Canal Gardens, the Monet and Alhambra Gardens and Tropical World which attracts visitors all year round. In 2005 the Friends' Garden was opened, alongside Canal Gardens and the Rainbow Garden. Woodpeckers, common warblers in spring and summer, mute swans, visiting whooper swans, great-crested grebes and herons can be found at the park. The Upper Lake is maintained as a wildlife area, and the larger Waterloo Lake is used for fishing. Roundhay Park provides the venue for special events including sporting events, flower and