Somerleyton Hall
History of Somerleyton Hall
The grounds of Somerleyton Hall have been home to high status buildings since the post conquest Norman era. In 1240 the existing manorial Hall was rebuilt by Sir Peter Fitzosbert as a magnificent country house on the site of the original medieval Hall.
Four centuries later the house was further enlarged and restyled by John Wentworth and transformed into an archetypal East Anglian Tudor-Jacobean mansion.
Somerleyton Hall is widely regarded as one of the best examples of an archetypal Tudor-Jacobean mansion and one of the most beautiful stately homes in Britain whose rooms and gardens are open to the public. The highlights of the house include:
The Entrance Hall:
Clad in richly carved oak with green-veined Devon marble panels, this striking space is notable for its highly patterned Minton floor tiles and an unusually coloured stained-glass dome ceiling..
The Ballroom:
Formerly a huge banqueting hall, decorated in deep crimson damask wallpaper, contrasted with white sculptured marble, elaborate gilding and finished with an elegantly designed ceiling.
The Library:
Currently used as a family sitting room which was originally a banqueting hall with a twenty-eight feet high ceiling covered with elaborate plaster motifs as decoration and featuring a huge alabaster fireplace.
The Dining Room:
Hung with family memorabilia, oil paintings, and a signature Crossley carpet on the floor. The carpet in characteristic deep pink, was commissioned by the present Lord Somerleyton (the great grandson of the carpet mogul Sir Francis Crossley) and designed by his cousin Nick Crossley.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Opening times 2010
Thursday 1st April to Sunday 31st October 2010.
Monday Bank Holidays only
Tuesday 13th July – 14th September
Wednesday 14th July – 15th September
Thursday 1st April – 28th October
Friday Bank Holidays Only
Saturday Closed
Sunday 4th April – 31st October
Opening hours:
Gardens 10am – 5pm
Hall 11.30am – 3.30pm (last tour)
Tea room 10am – 5pm
Admission prices:
(Group Rates 20+ shown in brackets).
Gardens only Hall & Gardens
Adult £5.50 (£4.50) £8.95 (£7.95)
Over 60's £4.50 (£3.50) £7.95 (£6.95)
Child £3.50 (£2.50) £4.95 (£3.95)
Family ticket: £25
Season ticket: £25 Adult / £20 Over 60's / £13 Child
Private tours: £26 All Day / £15 Afternoon & Evening
Wheelchair access:
All areas of the Hall that are open to the public are accessible by wheelchair
Wheelchairs available on request
All areas of the gardens are accessible and grass areas can be used for moving around – paths can be a little difficult after heavy rain.
There are two disabled toilets at the top of gardens and also in the Winter Garden.
Directions:
By road:
From Norwich (30mins) - on the B1074, 5 miles NW of Lowestoft, 7 miles SE of Great Yarmouth (A143). Coaches should follow signs to the rear west gate entrance.
From London (2.5hrs approx) - take the M11, A11 towards Norwich, take the A146 to Lowerstoft and then A143 Beccles Rd towards Great Yarmouth.
By rail:
Somerleyton Station is 1.6 miles from the Hall (no taxi or bus service available).
River access:
20 public moorings are available outside the Duke’s Head Pub – a short walk from The Hall and Gardens.
By air:
Norwich international airport if 40 mins drive with regular services to Amsterdam, Paris and Manchester.
Address :
Somerleyton Hall
Lowestoft, Suffolk,
NR32 5QQ