Somerleyton Hall is widely regarded as one of the best examples of an archetypal Tudor-Jacobean mansion and one of the most beautiful stately homes in Britain whose rooms and gardens are open to the public. The house is very large and has a ballroom, which was formerly a huge banqueting hall, decorated in deep crimson damask wallpaper, contrasted with white sculptured marble, elaborate gilding and finished with an elegantly designed ceiling.
The Library is currently used as a family sitting room but was originally a banqueting hall with a twenty-eight feet high ceiling covered with elaborate plaster motifs as decoration and featuring a huge alabaster fireplace. The Dining Room is hung with family memorabilia, oil paintings, and a signature Crossley carpet on the floor. The carpet in characteristic deep pink, was commissioned by the present Lord Somerleyton (the great grandson of the carpet mogul Sir Francis Crossley) and designed by his cousin Nick Crossley.
Somerleyton offers an unforgettable day out with plenty of activities in and around the Estate and Fritton Lake. For adults there are picnic areas, croquet, football, rounders, nine-hole golf course, fishing, horse-riding, rowing, swimming and guided boat trips on the lake. Should you wish to venture further afield we can also organise hot air-ballooning and river boating to sea via the River Waveney. The house sits in a large park and is very private. There are stunning gardens, both walled and woodland and the estate has a very peaceful feel to it. We thoroughly recommend this home for family groups or for perhaps a special birthday celebration.
