NHER 12322 (Monument record) - Site of Old Bessingham Manor House

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Summary

This is the site of Old Bessingham Manor House which burnt down accidentally soon after the new building (NHER 12321) was completed in 1870. The brick and flint foundations remain, suggesting a 17th century house, perhaps T-shaped. The arched cellar remains with round-headed niches. Ruins of more modern farm buildings survive on top, but the whole area is overgrown.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG13NE
Civil Parish SUSTEAD, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

Southwest of Manor House, in wood.
Remains of Old Bessingham Manor House, burnt down accidentally soon after new building was completed in 1870. Had been thatched. Brick and flint foundations remains, suggesting a 17th century house, perhaps T-shaped. Arched cellar remains with round-headed niches. Also ruins of more modern farm buildings on top, all overgrown. Fragment of lead water pipe on surface, also in roots of fallen tree sherds of flowerpot and ornamental vase?
Visited by E. Rose (NAU),16 March 1977.

February 2026. HER Enhancement: Forestry Commission Project K.
The buildings of this old Manor House are visible on the Title map (S2) and the First Edition OS map (S3).
Buildings still depicted on the Second Edition (S4) and the edition published in 1946 (S5).
By the 1970 revision (S6), the buildings had been greatly reduced and the outline ruin can be seen.
H. Hamilton (HES), 23 February 2026.

  • <S1> Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • <S2> Map: Sustead Tithe map.. 1 inch: 3 chains.
  • <S3> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1884-1891. Ordnance Survey Map. Six inches to the mile. First Edition. 1:10,560. Norfolk XIX.NW (Surveyed 1885, Published 1885).
  • <S4> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-1907. Ordnance Survey Map. 25 inch to the mile. Second Edition. 1:2500. Norfolk XIX.5 (Revised 1905, Published 1906).
  • <S5> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1930-1949. Ordnance Survey Map. Six inches to the mile. 1930's and 1940's Revisions.. 6 inches to 1 mile. Norfolk XIX.NW (Revised 1946, Published 1950).
  • <S6> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1970-1979. Ordnance Survey Map. 1:2500. 1970's Revisions.. Paper. 1:2,500. TG1636-TG1736-AA (Revised 1970, Published 1971).
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Feb 23 2026 5:47PM

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