DiCamillo Companion
England

Kentwell Hall (Kentwall Hall)

Long Melford, Babergh, near Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

England

Circa Date: 15th century core w/16th, 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century alterations and additions

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: Yes

Country House: Yes

crown This house has been used for TV and Film Historic Houses Member

The Great Hall

  • Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on the site of the current house.

    Built / Designed For: Sir William Clopton (born in the 14th century)

    House & Family History: William Clopton (born 1541) hosted Queen Elizabeth I at Kentwell in 1578; the queen, according to local lore, was not impressed by her accommodation and meals at Kentwell and called it Hungry Hall. Kentwell was digitally surveyed in great detail so that it could be rebuilt in New Zealand and used (suitably adapted for filming) as the professor's house for the 2005 movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The approach to house is through an avenue of limes three-quarters of a mile long. The grounds contain an unusual square dovecote, the largest in Suffolk. The farm is organically operated.

  • Architect: Thomas Hopper

    Date: Post 1822
    Designed: Interiors

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  • John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, 1824.

    Country Life: XII, 465, 1902.

  • Title: Burke's & Savills Guide to Country Houses, Volume III: East Anglia
    Author: Kenworthy-Browne, John; Reid, Peter; Sayer, Michael; Watkin, David
    Year Published: 1981
    Publisher: London: Burke's Peerage
    ISBN: 0850110351
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II*

  • "Matthew Hopkins: Witchfinder General" (1968). "The Woman in White" (1982 - TV mini series). "Treasure Hunt" (1988 - TV game show, episode 6.2, "Suffolk"). "No Excuses" (TV series). "Lovejoy" (1993 - TV series, episode 5.2, "Who Is the Fairest of Them All?"). "The Wind in the Willows" (1996). "Stately Suppers" (2005 - TV documentary, one of 10 half-hour episodes).

  • Current Seat / Home of: Patrick Phillips

    Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Gilbert de Kentwelle, 12th century. William de Valence, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir William Clopton, 15th century; John Clopton, 15th century; Francis Clopton, 16th century; Thomas Clopton, 16th century. Sir Thomas D’Arcy, 17th century. Thomas Robinson, 17th century; Sir Lumley Robinson, 1683-84. Sir John Moore, until 1702; Henry Moore, until 1773. Robert Hart Logan, early 19th century. Edward Robert Starkie Bence, early 19th century; Charles Douglas Bunbury Starkie Bence, early 20th century; Bence family here from 1838 until 1971.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01787-310-805

    Fax: 01787-379-318

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.kentwell.co.uk/

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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