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Historic buildings,
etc., in North Norfolk. - Page 3
Holkham Hall.
This mansion is built in classic 18th century Palladian style,
set in a deer park with herds of fallow deer, is a living treasure
house of art and architecture. Built in the late 1720s, it still
belongs to the original family, the Cokes, Earls of Leicester.
It is built of local bricks, very pale in colour. There are
four wings, the central block inside, palatial and overpowering,
and contains the state rooms. There are facings of pink alabaster
inside, the ceilings marvellously plastered with leaves and
flowers. The marble hall contains classical statues and is very
imposing. There is a fine collection of books. Thomas William
Coke (‘Coke of Norfolk’, the great agricultural reformer)
actually begun the park before the house. It contains a Triumphal
Arch, an 80 foot Obelisk and a Temple, all designed by William
Kent. The park was laid out by Capability Brown. There is a
large lake and the walled kitchen garden, with a vinery and
glasshouses, is now run as a nursery. Also in the park is the
120 foot high Leicester Monument. This commemorates Coke of
Norfolk (1754-1852) and has symbols to represent his improvements
to agriculture. On its plinth it has a seed drill, a plough,
a Devon ox and a Southdown sheep. The capital has turnip leaves,
a mangel-wurzel, and above is a wheatsheaf.
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Houghton
Hall.
Building commenced in 1722 by Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime
Minister of England. It is built of sandstone encasing the brick walls
and has domes at either end. There is a vaulted Entrance Hall. There
is much original furnishing and works of art, including Kneller’s
George I, Maratti’s Innocent IX and carving by Grindling Gibbons
in the parlour and work by Inigo Jones. The park contains herds of
white fallow deer. There is a collection of over 20,000 model soldiers,
some arranged as for the Battles of Waterloo and Culloden Moor.
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King’s
Lynn Custom House.
1683. It was designed by Henry Bell and built of stone as a
merchants’ exchange. On the first floor was the collector
of customs. It stands on the quay and has a statue of King Charles
II in a niche.
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King’s
Lynn, Thoresby College.
Built 1500 for thirteen Trinity Guild priests.
King’s
Lynn, St. George’s Guildhall.
15th century and used as a theatre.
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King’s
Lynn
Trinity Guildhall. Built in 1423.
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Letheringsett
Watermill.
Step back in time and visit a water-powered mill, which still produces
flour.
Mannington
Hall.
A crenulated moated house built in the mid 15th century.
Melton
Constable Hall
An important 17th century house with cupola, part is earlier. The
park was landscaped by Capability Brown. Belle Vue Tower was built
as a windmill in 1781, later turned into a folly.
Norwich
Castle.
There was an earlier structure before the present 12th century hall
keep. It was completely resurfaced in the mid 19th century. The other
buildings in the inner bailey are much later.
Norwich,
St. Ethelbert’s Gate.
1316-20. The upper part was used as a chapel. A large two-centred
arch.
Norwich,
Water Gate.
15th century and very picturesque.
Norwich,
Dragon Hall.
A 14th century hall house with 16th century timber screen. The upper
floor is timber framed and it has a vaulted undercroft. The first
floor Hall has a carved dragon on a timber beam; it has remains of
paint.
Norwich,
Great Hospital.
It was founded in 1249 to look after elderlyneedy priests and poor
scholars and sick paupers. The chancel was divided to make women’s
wards, the west part of the nave the men’s wards, the centre
part for worship.
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