NHER 39812 (Building record) - The Triumphal Arch

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Summary

The arch was completed in about 1760 by Matthew Brettingham to a design by William Kent. The building has a wide central archway, with two smaller side arches, all with blank pediements and rusticated stonework. The two side archways are topped with ball finials, and the central arch has a lunette window underneath the pediement. A prehistoric flint tool and various post-medieval finds were discovered in a void underneath the main room in the central arch in 1993.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet TF83NE
Civil Parish HOLKHAM, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Record list

Tools

May 1983. Listed, Grade I.
Arch, completed about 1760 by Matthew Brettingham to a design by William Kent. Gault brick with flint rustication and stone, Tripartite façade of one wide and two narrow openings under pediments. Groined brick vaults. Tripartite lunette windows at centre. Shaped buttresses and ball finials. Niches each side centre arch.
Information from (S1).

1993. Excavation.
In void under room above centre arch, many post-medieval artefacts, and one stray undated prehistoric flint tool. Deposit excavated by [1].
See (S2) for full publication of the finds and of the arch, detailing how its appearance has changed.
See photos and press cuttings in file.
The finds were donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.28).
E. Rose (NLA). 20 May 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 May 2019.

November 2009.
The Triumphal Arch has been converted into holiday lodges.
See (S3) for further details.
H. White (NLA), 24 February 2010

  • --- Drawing: Various. Various. Architectural plans.
  • --- Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 422.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1982. [Photograph of The Triumphal Arch, Holkham]. 25 September.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2003. Triumphal hopes for holiday hideaway. 8 November.
  • --- Photograph: Edwards, D.A.. 1988. ELL 3-5.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1049476.
  • <S2> Article in Serial: Simms, J. 2000. The Triumphal Arch, Holkham. The Annual. No 9 pp 39-47.
  • <S3> Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2009. Arch is a real triumph for creative thinking. 28 November.
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • MARBLE (Unknown date)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BOTTLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • CORK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • FISH REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • GUNFLINT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • INSECT REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PAPER (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PLANT REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • RAZOR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • SHOE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • STRAP END (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • VESSEL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WALLPAPER (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WATCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WHISTLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WINDOW GLASS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Record last edited

Feb 18 2025 2:12PM

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