Wolterton Hall

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).

Collections: The Gobelins tapestries in the blue drawing room 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 of Birth: Circa 1683
Date of Death: 1758
Nationality: English
Notes: Ripley was a follower of William Kent and was in charge of the building works at Houghton Hall.

Date: 1727-41
Designed: House

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Architect: Charles Bridgeman

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: 1738
Nationality: English
Notes: Bridgeman is one of the key figures in the establishment of The English Garden. He provided a crucial role in the transition from the formal, geometric layout of the early 18th century gardens to the natural look of Capability Brown. Bridgeman was the Royal Gardener to George II and Queen Caroline and also worked at Hampton Court, Clermont, Eastbury, Wimpole, and Marble Hill. He reached his peak with his work at Stowe.

Designed: Landscaped grounds and added lake

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Architect: George Stanley Repton

Date of Birth: 1786
Date of Death: 1858
Nationality: British

Date: 1828
Designed: Rusticated arcade added to south front and East Wing

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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: 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 and 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: Peter Sheppard and Keith Day; here since 2016.

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.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

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

Email: info@woltertonpark.co.uk

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

Historic Houses Member: Yes

House, Family & Collections History

Gardens, Outbuildings, Chapel & Church History

Architects

Historic Publications References

Bibliography / Reading List for this House

Listings for House & Park

Families Who’ve Lived Here / Current Ownership Type & Use

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