NHER 9132 (Building record) - Besthorpe Hall and remains of 16th and 17th century gardens

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Summary

Besthorpe Hall dates to around 1590 and was refronted in 1880. To the west of the house is a possible tilting ground where medieval jousting used to take place. This was probably constructed at the same time as the house. The walls and the rest of the garden are important examples of Mannerist garden design, and the tilting ground has also been interpreted as a 17th century terraced garden.

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Location

Map sheet TM09NE
Civil Parish BESTHORPE, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

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1981. Field Observation (Visual Assessment)
1560-90, largely refronted about 1880. Large tilting ground survives, and garden wall etc.
See HER Notes (S4) for full details of building assessment.
E. Rose (NAU), 9 October 1981. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 17 August 2026.

1988-1992. Parkland Survey.
A detailed survey of the parkland surrounding Besthorpe Hall was undertaken by the Centre for East Anglian Studies and a Manpower Services Team under the overall direction of Norfolk County Council. This survey formed the basis of the Norfolk County Council Inventory of Parks and Gardens of Speical Historic Interest in Norfolk (S6). The survey included doucumentary research, field survey, a tree survey, and application of a grading system to assess the historical importance of the site
See unpubilshed report (S7) and completed inventory summary (S6) for further details.
H. Hamilton (HES), 17 August 2026.

March 1999. Field Observation (Visual Assessment).
Field visit by the Norfolk Monuments Management Programme to assess condition.
'Tilting yard' in excellent condition as part of grounds of Hall. Walls well maintained. Conifers cur into topiary rectangular shapes in lawn. Pond now altered to circular shape.
Information from HER Notes (S4).
Compiled by H. Paterson. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 17 August 2026.

1996-1999. Building Alterations.
Plans put in place to replace the 19th century chimney stack and install a lantern roof over the existing winter garden.
See architectural plans (S10) associated with planning applications for further details.
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 17 August 2026.

  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Post-Medieval. Besthorpe.
  • <S10> Drawing: Various. Various. Architectural plans.
  • <S11> Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 204.
  • <S12> Monograph: Williamson, T. 1998. Archaeology of the Landscape Park: Garden Design in Norfolk, England, c. 1680-1840. BAR (British Series). Vol 268. pp 19-20.
  • <S2> Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TM 09 NE 4 [3].
  • <S3> Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • <S4> Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • <S5> Serial: Blomefield, F. 1805. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk. Vol I. p 501.
  • <S6> Unpublished Report: Norfolk County Council. 1992. Inventory of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Norfolk. NCC Parks and Gardens Survey.
  • <S7> Unpublished Report: Centre of East Anglian Studies and Manpower Services. 1988-1992. Besthorpe Hall. Besthorpe, Attleborough, Norfolk. Park and Garden.
  • <S8> Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. Design for Besthorpe Hall.
  • <S9> Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1992. [Photograph of Besthorpe Hall]. 12 June.

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Record last edited

Aug 17 2026 5:32PM

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