A Country House With A Conscience

Just a three-hour drive from London on the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk, the glorious 12-bedroom Somerleyton Hall provides the perfect staycation escape for families or small groups looking for an exceptional exclusive-use hideaway.

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Built in a Jacobean-Victorian style, The Hall, set in 12 acres of formal gardens (including a yew hedge maze which dates back to 1846) is now under the ownership of rewilding pioneers Hugh Somerleyton and his wife, Lara, and was used in the hit Netflix’s series The Crown to depict the Royal Norfolk residence Sandringham. Surrounded by spectacular countryside roamed by deer, cattle, water buffalo and Exmoor ponies, guests can delve deep into a conservation project aiming to return vast swathes of estate land into sustainable wildland. Here is a place where you can enjoy jeep safaris and foraging walks alongside all the sophisticated luxuries of one of England’s finest country houses.

Very much a family home, Somerleyton’s 12 bedrooms offer individual character and charm that reflect the passage of time. Expect four poster beds and oversized cast iron baths that blend effortlessly with contemporary furnishings, decadent necessities and spectacular views across the grounds. Explore the sumptuous candlelit ballroom, the splendour of the old palm house, the intimacy of the family dining room and the fabulous Winter Gardens. After a sunny day exploring, the new wild freshwater swimming pool, so private and pretty, offers the perfect refresher.

Hire of the Hall* is available for everything from fun birthday parties to weddings and corporate retreats, as well as longer, relaxed, weekly summer holidays. Stays include full access to the facilities at on-site Fritton Lake, part of the estate, which ensures an integrated community experience should guests wish. Enjoy tennis courts, the new nature-inspired gym, yoga and fitness classes, running trails and – for youngsters – an outdoor play area. Traditional countryside pursuits such as shooting and riding can also be arranged and there are stables for those wishing to bring their own horse. Fritton’s two-mile-long lake is the perfect place for paddleboarding, canoeing or relaxing in the Nordic-designed Koto floating sauna.

Guests at Somerleyton are superbly looked after by the in-house team, including Hugh and Lara themselves. Communal spaces comfortably suit groups of up to 20 and there's further accommodation in the Clubhouse at Fritton Lake itself or the Koto self-catering cabins dotted throughout the woodland and meadows. Fully catered and fully staffed, dining at the Hall is a delight. Furthermore, food at Fritton Lake is created by Fat Duck alumnus Chris Bartlett, who works in tandem with the seasons, using ingredients from the estate and produce from carefully selected local suppliers.

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* Hire is based on a minimum of two nights and rates are on application. Indicative costs start from £7,500 (+vat) per night on exclusive use B&B.
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Visit www.privatesomerleyton.co.uk

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THINGS TO KNOW:
Looking Back, Looking Forwards: Somerleyton Hall
Renowned as one of the finest stately homes in the country, Somerleyton Hall dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria.  It was shaped by her husband’s chief sculptor and architect, John Thomas, and celebrated garden designer to the aristocracy, William Andrews Nesfield. Previous incarnations include a Jacobean mansion, a Tudor house, and a Saxon freehold. Somerleyton Estate is at the forefront of WildEast, a conservation project to return over 1,000 acres of farmland to the wild. Since 2017 Somerleyton has been carefully managing the return of vast swathes of estate land to sustainable wildland.

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About Fritton Lake
Fritton Lake is home to a two-mile long lake set amidst beautiful woods, wildland and wildlife. Enjoy paddleboarding, wild swimming, messing around in boats and the new Koto designed floating sauna. There’s also on-site tennis, volleyball, croquet and pétanque, an outdoor heated pool, yoga and fitness classes. Those who want a break from cooking can dine at the Clubhouse restaurant, where new head chef Chris Barlett, formerly at the Fat Duck in Bray, harnesses his passion for sustainable farming practices by creating delicious seasonal dishes.

Whether you seek seclusion in mature woodland or want to be at the heart of the club facilities, there’s a plot to suit at Fritton Lake. Invest in both your own future and the creation of family memories, as well as joining a collective committed to caring for the planet and its preservation.