NHER 6815 (Building record) - Gunton Hall

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Summary

A mid 18th century mansion, designed by Matthew Brettingham who also designed nearby Hanworth Hall, NHER 6636, and is best known for his work at Holkham Hall. The hall was enlarged in the late 18th century by Wyatt. The south front has a colonnade with Tuscan columns and projecting pavilions. After a fire in the late 19th century the hall became neglected until it was extensively restored and subdivided in the 1980s. The hall is surrounded by a remarkable number of service buildings and courtyards, including a late 18th century octagonal game larder.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet TG23SW
Civil Parish HANWORTH, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

On site of deserted medieval village, no sign of which remains.
Hall part of 1742 (gutted 1882) and rest of 1785, restored, with remarkable range of service buildings and stables, perhaps unparalleled. Owner in 1981 restoring into separate dwellings.
For full details see (S1) in file.
E. Rose (NAU) 4 November 1981.

Walled garden south of hall, brewhouse yard, game larder, house itself, service range to north, all Grade II.
Stable block Grade II*.
See (S2) for complete listing descriptions for the stable block.

For description of service courts in detail see (S3).
E. Rose (NLA), 2 January 2007.

NIAS records:
April 1982, during work on the west wing a tiled pit was discovered and thought to be a plunge bath. 1.72m deep, 3.39m long and 1.81m wide and lined in slate. It was likely built in 1826 when the house was extended to include more "bedrooms, a suite of apartments and hot and cold bathrooms beneath". Further extension and alteration in 1908 made this bathroom obsolete. It has been left unaltered by the 1982 development and simply boarded over.
See (S4).
W. Arnold (HES), 16 February 2011.

August 2011. Planning Application.
Retention of timber floor in dining hall, cellar staircase and balustrade to main staircase and re-location of internal doors, blocking up of doorway and installation of softwood panelling to dining hall.
See (S5)
Z. Dack (HES), 21 September 2011.

  • --- Aerial Photograph: TG2234 A,C,D,K,L-Y.
  • --- Article in Serial: Kit Martin. The Country Life Interview.. Country Life.
  • --- Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • --- Drawing: Various. Various. Architectural plans.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1982. [Sale advertisements for the East Wing, Bell Yard and Stable Yard properties at Gunton Hall]. 29 July.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1983. New village aim of restoration project. 18 November.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1985. [Articles the winning of an award for Gunton Hall]. 23 September.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1985. [Sale advertisement for Gunton Hall]. 21 September.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1989. [Sale advertisement for East Wing of Gunton Hall]. 18 August.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991. Park saved from dereliction. 29 July.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1992. [Article and sale advertisment for Gunton Hall]. 26 May.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1992. Manageable mansion (sale advertisement). 19 June.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1993. [Sale advertisement for Wyatt's Kitchen]. 14 May.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1998. [Article and sale advertisement for Audit House].
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1999. Historic hall up for sale. 4 October.
  • --- Photograph: 1913. Gunton Hall and Gardens (BB82/12339 to 12345).
  • --- Photograph: 1980. Gunton Hall (AA82/293 to 314).
  • --- Photograph: 1980. Gunton Hall (BB82/5647 to 5655).
  • --- Photograph: 1981. Gunton Hall. Print.
  • --- Photograph: BZM 10,13.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 23 SW 1 [2].
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Unpublished Document: Rose, E.. 1981. Building Report. Building Report.
  • <S2> Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1172496.
  • <S3> Article in Serial: Holmes, J.. 2006. Gunton Park.. NIAS Journal. Vol 8, no 1, p 59.
  • <S4> Archive: NIAS. Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society Records.
  • <S5> Unpublished Document: 2011. Planning Application.

Object Types (0)

Record last edited

Jun 27 2025 8:25AM

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