Wolterton, near Norwich
Norfolk
England
Circa Date: 1726-41 w/19th, 20th & 21st century alterations and additions
Pronunciation: WUL-TER-TUN
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Country House: Yes
The garden facade in 2022
An engraving of the garden facade in 1830 (before the addition of the stairs and the wing). From "Neale's Views of Seats."
The garden facade today
The entrance facade
The old entrance hall
The staircase hall ceiling
The saloon
Torchere in the saloon
Urn in the saloon
The drawing room
The dining room
Bedroom
Bathroom
The walled garden
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.
Built / Designed For: 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton
House & Family History: Wolterton was built by Horatio Walpole, 1st Lord Walpole, Sir Robert Walpole’s brother. The grand early 18th century red brick Neoclassical mansion is noted for its opulent Georgian interiors and is considered one of the four grand historic power houses of Norfolk (the others are Houghton, Holkham, and Raynham). In 2023 the house, together with 458 acres, was listed for sale £25 million.
Collections: In 1858 there was a big sale of the contents of Wolterton. The Gobelins tapestries in the blue drawing room today are believed to have been a gift from Cardinal Fleury. David Willaume II's gold two-handled cup and cover of 1739 was sold at Christie's on June 15, 1983 for £237,600.
Garden & Outbuildings: Charles Bridgeman landscaped the grounds and added the lake.
Architect: Thomas Ripley
Date: 1727-41Architect: Charles Bridgeman
Date: 1720sArchitect: George Stanley Repton
Date: 1828John 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: Vol. III, 1820.
Country Life: XXIV, 450, 1908. CXXII, 116, 166, 1957.
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Disintegration of a Heritage: Country Houses and their Collections, 1979-1992, The
Author: Sayer, Michael
Year Published: 1993
Publisher: Norfolk: Michael Russell (Publishing)
ISBN: 0859551970
Book Type: Hardback
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*
Current Seat / Home of: Richard Ellis; here since 2023.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir Henry Spelman, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton, 1722-57; Horatio Walpole, 3rd Earl of Orford, 19th century; Robert Horatio Walpole, 10th Baron Walpole, 1989-2016. Peter Sheppard and Keith Day, 2016-23.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The house can be booked for events and overnight stays.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01263-768-966
Website: https://wolterton.co.uk/
Historic Houses Member: Yes