Historic Norfolk House you must visit
Wolterton Park – open to the public again
Wolterton is one of the great houses of North Norfolk, and there are several to choose from. If you’re planning a trip here this is a must see, and what’s more, it’s just 10 miles from Cromer towards the market town of Aylsham.
The grandness of these great Norfolk houses reflects a time when there was enormous wealth and political power here, and it was the place to live and to be seen. It took the Royal family 150 years to catch on, before Queen Victoria bought Sandringham in 1862.
Wolterton was commissioned and built by Horatio Walpole, brother of Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, who lived at nearby Houghton Hall. It’s known as one of the four great Whig Power Houses of Norfolk. These grand country estates were central to the ruling Whig Party’s power and influence.
They include the previously mentioned Houghton Hall, Holkham Hall and Raynham Hall. In 2016 Wolterton Park was sold by the Walpole family after 300 years in their ownership. It was the first of the Whig Power Houses to be sold, the rest all remain in the ownership of descendants.
Wolterton was sold to restoration duo Peter Sheppard and Keith Day for a reported £10m. It had been uninhabited for 30 years, and lain largely untouched since the 1950’s. After an extensive restoration they opened parts of the estate to visitors and luxury holiday rentals. Then after 7 years they decided it was time to turn their considerable skills to saving another as yet un-named building in London.
Sheppard and Day sold Wolterton to Richard Ellis and family in 2023. The Ellis’s have a long association with Norfolk. Thirty years ago they founded a holiday letting agency, that became a nationwide brand before it was sold in 2022. The sale proceeds have never been disclosed but they funded the acquisition of Wolterton for around £25m which is probably the biggest private property purchase Norfolk has ever seen.
The Ellis’s were actually looking for an estate to establish a vineyard, when a land agent tipped them off about Wolterton. They’re not planning to live in the house, instead they intend to run it as a business and preserve it for future generations. There are bedrooms open for hire (apparently £700 a night) and there’ll be weddings and functions – but surprisingly it’s free to visit (although donations to the family’s Ted Ellis Naturalist Trust are encouraged).
We went to visit on the eve of Halloween, just before Wolterton closed for the winter, although there are some seasonal events during the darker months. We were overwhelmed by how ‘homely’ the interiors are. Yes, they are stuffed with grand antiques, but the sofas look as though you could just plonk yourself down with a glass of something, and that apparently is the whole point. This will not be shown as a grand stately home, come museum, but as a living, breathing place.
It’s so unlike some of the other grand houses in Norfolk. There are no roped off rugs, no processing around rooms in a set sequence, you’re free to wander about with no stern guides watching over your visit. The other thing we noticed, and we’re big on this too, is how clean everything was. It really is very welcoming and surprisingly warm, yes the heating is on!
From outside you can head up to the balcony, which it’s claimed is bigger than the more famous one at Buckingham Palace, and even better, you can actually walk on this one. Once up there you can marvel at the view towards the lake. The lawn is manicured within an inch of its life, and mown with dashing diagonal stripes. It really is breath-taking. How crazy would you have to be to actually buy it? I’m sure the family must wonder that when the heating bill arrives.
The walled garden is currently closed, but it’s being restored, and if the house is anything to go by it will be amazing. Great gardens take time. A cast iron plaque at the foot of rather a small conifer caught my eye – ‘Planted by Lady Dorothy Walpole 1901’ it reads. If only we could all have a plaque laid when we plant something.
Wolterton is an absolute treat to visit. The story of the house is described over invitingly framed boards as you enter. The text doesn’t totally shy away from acknowledging the more controversial effect these grand estates had on the countryside, swallowing up common farm land, destroying villages and concentrating wealth into the hands of a few, a phenomenon also known as the Enclosure Movement.
Therefore it’s pleasing the Ellis family has chosen to share the results of their 30 years of hard work, spent building and selling a business, with us. We really hope this venture is as successful because we really enjoyed our visit.
You should allow a couple of hours to visit the house and grounds. Admission is currently free – simply apply for an invitation on their website – ours arrived straightaway, but do check your spam folder which is where ours landed. Parking is free too, and there’s a charming, but small, and busy cafe.
A visit to Wolterton Park is not to be missed if you love big houses and wonderful grounds. It’s only 10 miles from our own, somewhat smaller, but nonetheless award winning, house North Cottage Cromer which is available for hire for family and friends holidays and celebrations.
Links:
Wolterton Park – website, directions and opening times here.
We’ve also written about our visit to Houghton Hall and walled garden here.
North Cottage Cromer – not quite as grand, but every bit as homely and closer to the beach. A great, award winning, house for your family and friends to holiday. Accommodation for 12 guests right beside the sea in Cromer.
