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South Elmham Hall
South Elmham Hall is a 13th century former bishop's palace standing within a four-acre moated site. The 16th century exterior of the Grade I listed house hides a medieval first floor hall, where the Bishop of Norwich held court and entertained. Many features survive including probably the earliest domestic wall paintings in Suffolk. The tour includes a walk through the former deer park (good shoes recommended) to South Elmham Minister (once described as one of the most romantic and enigmatic ruins in England) and 11th century chapel built to commemorate the site of a Saxon 7th century minister. The garden of South Elmham Hall includes a ruined gatehouse, and a grove of mature trees. The Hall is at the centre of a traditional mixed farm, which has won awards for conservation and wildlife management.
South Elmham Hall was at the centre of an ancient Episcopal estate with the Bishops See of Elmham dating from the 7th century. Nothing remains from the earliest settlement except pottery scatter on the settlement sites. The Vikings are said to have plundered and burned the East Anglian Minsters. South Elmham Manor was gifted to the Priory of Norwich on the Foundation of Norwich Cathedral in 1100 by the then Bishop Herbert de Losinga. Herbert also stocked a deer park. Bishop Walter de Suffield is said to have 'lived at South Elmham in great splendour' Bishop Henry de Spencer had a licence to crenulate in 1387. Held by the Bishops until 1450 and the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Then acquired from Henry VIII by Edward (later to become) Lord North. The Norths remodelled the Medieval Palace into a hunting lodge, they in turn sold in 1617 when it became part of the Flixton estate. Later in the 19th century it was home to the Stewards and managers of that estate.
Tour approx 3 hours, £26.50 including 2-course lunch, guided walk to Minster, tea and cakes.
www.southelmham.co.uk
www.batemansbarn.co.uk
| Tour Dates 2009 | |
|---|---|
| December 2008 | Fri 12th, 5.30 pm (tour of the house followed by Christmas meal in the restaurant) |
| April | Mon 13th, 12.30 pm |
| May | Thu 14th, 12.30 pm |
| June | Thu 18th, 12.30 pm |
| July | Thu 16th, 12.30 pm |
| August | Thu 13th, 12.30 pm |
| October | Thu 22nd, 12.30 pm |
| December | Fri 18th, 6.00 pm (candlelit tour followed by supper and free glass of wine) |
To book, call the Mercury Theatre on 01206 573948
or book on-line at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk.
Other nearby properties:
16. Earsham Hall
22. Heath Farmhouse
