An 1830 engraving of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
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: 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 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