Norfolk Hall

Norfolk Hall is an Elizabethan manor house, privately owned, standing in unspoilt countryside in North Norfolk. Following a ten-year restoration project by its owners, the Hall is now an immensely welcoming home with many period features, including 17th century portraits, tapestries and antique furniture as well as those all-essential country house sofas. 

Built in 1569, the Hall is a Grade II listed Elizabethan manor house. It was described by Pevsner, the architectural historian, as one of the earliest examples of Elizabethan architecture in Norfolk. A house has existed since the 11th Century when the manor was first granted by William the Conqueror. During the early 18th Century, the Hall was the home of William Talman, royal architect to the court of James I and architect of some of England's finest country houses, including Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.

The Hall can now sleep up to 14 guests, with additional accommodation for up to 16 further guests within the grounds. The entrance hall has an open fire place and leads to a grand staircase. A panelled reception room has a baby grand piano and open fire. The dining room has an open fire, ornate ceiling and seating for 14. There is also a children's den, a bar with banquette seating and a contemporary stainless steel kitchen overlooking the walled herb garden. 

At first floor level, there is a long drawing room with oak panelling, huge sofas, a small library and cloakroom, a Master bedroom with 17th Century four-poster bed and en suite bathroom. There are two further double bedrooms, both with four-poster beds and en suite bath or shower rooms.

At second floor level there are four more double bedrooms, all with en suite facilities, all featuring handsome period beds.

Situated between Aylsham and North Walsham, Norfolk Hall lies in an extremely peaceful setting at the end of a long drive off a quiet country lane. The Hall is set in six acres of formal and informal grounds that include a tranquil walled garden with a summer house, fountain, knot garden and swimming pool. Beyond the child-friendly lawn at the front of the Hall is a lime tree walk, statuary, an old moat and a wild flower meadow.

Featured in the top 50 coolest country retreats in the Sunday Times, January 25 2009, Norfolk Hall is described as rustic chic:

"An Elizabethan manor house, straight from a Miss Marple whodunnit, it has four posters, a panelled long hall, fountain, a swimming pool and the mandatory housekeeper. Pay more and you get a butler, a cook, and hot and cold running housemaids".

The Hall is a spectacular and very atmospheric setting for a relaxing family holiday or the celebration of a special occasion, such as a wedding aniversary, birthday or reunion.

Situated in Norfolk's 'golden triangle' there is excellent access to local attractions, from the unspoilt beaches of the east and north coast, to the National Trust treasures of Blickling and Felbrigg Hall. Subject to availability, there is the possibility of being able to use a private beach hut.

Dogs: We regret that dogs are not permitted at this property.

Accommodation Location

Ground Floor

Hall with open fire, leading to a grand staircase.

Panelled reception room with a baby grand piano and open fire. Freeview TV, DVD player and CD player.

Dining room with open fire, ornate ceiling and long table seating 14. Children’s den.

Contemporary stainless steel kitchen overlooking walled herb garden, equipped with a Smeg range cooker and dishwasher, large fridge and freezer.

Bar with banquette seating and CD player.

First Floor

Long drawing room with oak panelling, huge sofas, small library and cloakroom.

Master bedroom with 17th Century four poster 5 ft bed and en suite bathroom with a roll top bath and shower.

Double bedroom with an 18th Century four poster 5 ft 6" bed and en suite bathroom with roll top bath and shower attachment.

Double bedroom with a four poster 5 ft bed, Elizabethan fireplace and an en suite shower room.

Second Floor

Double bedroom accessed via a private staircase with Gothic style 6 ft bed and day bed, (an additional single bed to create twin bedded room, for children or sharers if required), and en suite bathroom with double ended roll top bath.

Double bedroom with 17th Century oak four poster 4 ft 6" bed and en suite bathroom with slipper bath and shower attachment.

Double bedroom with oak 5 ft bed and en suite bathroom with roll top bath.

Double bedroom with oak panelled four poster 5 ft bed and day bed, (an additional single bed to create twin bedded room for children or sharers if required), and en suite bathroom with roll top bath and shower attachment.

The Long Barn sleeps 10: 3 double bedroms and 2 twin bedrooms, all with en suite bath or shower).

30ft high vaulted reception room, with flagged floors, underfloor heating, and open fire. Dining room with double doors onto covered terrace for al fresco dining and private south facing walled garden.

Shared games room.

The Dovecote sleeps 6: three double bedrooms, 2 of which can be made into twin bedrooms, all with en suite bath or shower.

Cosy reception room with inglenook fire. Dining room with double doors onto covered terrace for alfresco dining and private south facing walled garden. 

Grounds

The Hall is set in six acres of formal and informal grounds that include a tranquil walled garden with a summer house, fountain, knot garden and swimming pool (available to use between May 1 and September 30).

Beyond the child-friendly lawn at the front of the Hall is a lime tree walk, statuary, an old moat and a wild flower meadow.

There is ample open parking as well as under-cover parking for two cars.

Facilities / Services

Freeview TV, DVD player and CD player.

Dishwasher

Services available on request

Champagne cocktails on arrival

Services of a Housekeeper or butler. Maid service for linen changes.

Chef or outside catering.

Helicopter flights for leisure or transfers.

Classic Car Hire.

Child minding.

Grocery shopping.

Cycle hire.

Chauffeur to collect guests from Norwich Station or Airport.

Food Hamper

On your arrival you will find a Welcome Hamper of fresh local organic produce from award-winning Norfolk delicatessen Samphire, and the ingredients for the special house cocktail.

Swimming Pool

Outdoor heated swimming pool, open from 01 May to end of September. The pool is exclusive to the Hall, and within the walled garden so very private from the two barns.

Rental Conditions: No smoking, pets, hen/stag parties or fireworks.

Activities

Beachfront

Use of a traditional beach hut is included in the rental. The nearest beach is at Mundesley, a quiet and rather quaint Edwardian seaside village with typical Norfolk brick and flint architecture. Award winning blue flag beach with lifeguards. Very good for children. Beach huts available May to September.

There are also beach huts available at Sheringham, situated at the far end of east promenade. Quiet location accessible from Sheringham town or from quiet path to east of town. Beach huts are on the small promenade at the foot of the cliffs, and have direct access with walkways over rocks to sandy beach. Available all year round.

Attractions

Several historic houses, both National Trust and privately owned, are open to the public and are easily reached. These include Blickling Hall, once the home of the Boleyn family. In nearby Aylsham, a miniature steam railway runs to Wroxham, the heart of the Norfolk Broads, from where guests can take Broads cruises.

Beaches

To the west there is the vast, pine-wooded Holkham Beach and to the east, the endless and unspoilt Waxham beach. From Morston guests can take seal-watching boat trips, while from Sheringham there are steam train services.

Children

For children there is a den (no adults allowed) with dressing up box, Punch and Judy theatre, bean bags, TV, music system, toys and games

Local Facts

Within easy reach by car are the picturesque Georgian market towns of Holt and Burnham Market; seaside villages of Cley and Stiffkey and traditional resort towns of Cromer, Sheringham and Wells.

There are also a number of excellent pubs and restaurants in the area.

The Hall is a 3 hour drive from London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Norwich is a 20 minute drive and has an airport and main line rail station. Fast trains from Liverpool Street Station in London to Norwich take 2 hours.

Destination introduction

An Anglo-Saxon settlement, North Walsham was very prominent in the production of wool in medieval times, and still has the feel of a prosperous and busy market town. The ruined church tower dominates the town centre and is a famous landmark of the area.

30km north of Norwich, North Walsham has its own train station, serving fast trains just three and a half hours from London, via Norwich. Just a few miles from the sweeping sand beaches of the Norfolk coast and close to the famous Norfolk fens, North Walsham is a unique place and never fails to inspire.