NHER 10775 (Building record) - Starston Hall

Starston Hall.
A late 16th century- early 17th century house. There is a semicircular moat still extant. The house underwent refurbishments in the 19th century, including brick encasing, windows, and the construction of a lean-to at the back of the building. The house was converted into a B&B in the 1990s, at which point the moat was also dredged. The building is now a house.
Information from National Heritage List for England (S1) and newspaper clipping (S2).
See also Norwich Castle Museum Record Card (S5), aerial photographs (S6), and Pevsner and Wilson (S7).

September 1951. Listed Grade II.
Listing Description:
Late 16th-century/early 17th-century house, on moated site, refurbished and encased in red brick in circa mid 19th century. Steep black-glazed pantile roof with stepped gable ends with middle-back coping. Two storeys and attic (attic windows in end gables). Four window bays. 19th-century two- and three-light casements in double recessed openings with chamfered reveals and brick dripmoulds. Doorway off centre. Two rebuilt brick stacks each with two round shafts of moulded brick with star caps. 19th-century lean-to at rear.
Interior: stopped and chamfered ceiling beams. Wind braces in roof.
Information from National Heritage List for England (S1).
P. Watkins (HES), 31 October 2018.

September 1982. Field Observation.
Semicircular moat indicated but not named. South Norfolk District Council say site of a manor house. The moat is deep and waterfilled and apparently medieval. No trace of the missing section.
The hall is clad in 19th century brick in 'Tudor' style on south, east and west and is cracked in several places. On the north a small strip of original wall is visible above a lean-to, revealing the wallplate of a timber frame. Two long very low windows in this section of wall are perhaps late, perhaps the tops of blocked ones. 19th century 'Cossey' chimneys.
Information from HER Record Card (S2).
E. Rose (NAU), 29 September 1982. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 05 August 2025.

October 1988. Additional Information.
One gable collapsed in storm of 16th October 1988 - information from Norfolk County Council.
Information from HER Record Card (S2).
E. Rose (NAU), 8 January 1989. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 05 August 2025.

April 1998. Record Enhancement.
English Heritage Listing dates the building to the 16th or 17th century, refurbished and clad 19th century, but only internal details described are a stopped and chamfered beam, and windbraces to the roof.
See National Heritage List for England (S1) for listing details.
Newspaper (S3) in secondary file notes two stone columns recently imported from another house.
Information from HER Recording Form (S4).
E. Rose (NAU), 20 April 1998. Amended A. Henderson (HES), 05 August 2025.

April 2000. Site Visit.
Semi-circular moat runs southwest to northeast, maximum width is 5m wide, broadens to southwest, where a bridge crosses the moat with wood revetted steps leading up the bank. Moat sides have been planted with low garden plants and shrubs. To the southeast slightly lower profile could indicate site of east arm.
Information from HER Recording Form (S4).
H. Paterson (A&E), 11 April 2000.

April 2000. Management Agreement.
Management Agreement signed 20 April 2000.
See copy in office file.
H. Paterson (A&E), 23 May 2000.