A quick snapshot

A fleeting visit today to Wolterton Hall – situated somewhere between the sea and the town of Aylsham.

It’s not an easy place to find, but eventually having wandered through country lanes around Corpusty, Plumstead and Matlask (they sound like creations from a Trollope novel), I eventually discovered what I thought might be a way in to this estate, which until recently belonged to the Walpole family.

The hall was built by Thomas Ripley for the politician Horace Walpole in 1741 and to be honest it is massive. It has also had something of a chequered history because for many years the main house and out-buildings looked dilapidated and rather shabby.

The hall and its interior have now been renovated and I am told that one can actually obtain self-contained accommodation there.

 

Certainly what I saw of the interior looked very smart. Key areas such as a dining room and a library appear to be much as they would have been during the hey-day of the house.

The out-buildings are being “worked on”. If one wanders a little off the beaten track, one may encounter a host of builders’ vans, scaffolding and gentlemen busily reconstructing the Stewards House, the Garden house and the stables. My impression was that they still had a lot of work to do.

I was trying to find my way to the walled garden, which was a little way beyond the somewhat intensive reconstruction. But without question the walled garden is certainly worth a visit. Some parts of it are quite mature, but it is the end of the season and just at the moment no garden looks absolutely terrific. Given a little time, I think this one will be.

This week the Autumn colours, especially among the trees, were very striking. I am looking forward to another visit in the spring – so watch this space for another instalment.

In the meantime – enjoy what you see.