



WOLTERTON
HX Suggested Reasons to Visit
One of the celebrated 'Power Houses' of North Norfolk, and today, with fresh energy brought by the Ellis family, Wolterton remains both deeply historic and entirely alive.
About
Tucked away in the tranquil countryside of North Norfolk, Wolterton Hall is a rare example of Palladian refinement balanced with personal, lived-in charm. Commissioned in 1722 by Horatio Walpole, younger brother to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister, the house is steeped in political history.
After the original manor was destroyed by fire, Horatio enlisted architect Thomas Ripley to realise his vision: a home of classical elegance and diplomatic discretion. A gifted ambassador and statesman, Horatio built Wolterton not only as a residence, but as a stage for diplomacy - its famously thick interlocking doors, said to have been a gift from Queen Caroline, were designed to muffle sensitive conversation. In return for brokering peace with France, Cardinal Fleury presented Horatio with a series of exquisite tapestries, still on display in the Saloon today — their elaborate needlework offering both artistry and quiet mischief to the trained eye.
Wolterton is one of the four great Whig ‘Power Houses’ of North Norfolk, alongside Houghton, Holkham, and Raynham, and its story continued to evolve through the centuries. The 19th century brought architectural updates from George Repton, son of famed landscape designer Humphry Repton, while the 20th century was defined by family life, vividly documented in the diaries of Lady Nancy Walpole, who described both the charm and rhythm of estate living.
Wolterton also has a history of royal visits — most memorably Queen Mary in 1951, followed by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1952, shortly after a second fire tested the Hall’s resilience. True to form, the family continued hosting in the Servants’ Quarters while repairs took place above.
In recent years, Wolterton has undergone an award-winning restoration under the stewardship of Peter Sheppard and Keith Day, and now enters an exciting new chapter with the arrival of the Ellis family, whose Norfolk roots date back over 300 years. With their deep appreciation for craft, legacy, and landscape, the Ellises are preserving Wolterton not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing home — open to new stories and generations to come.
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Arts & Culture Programme
Wolterton Hall launches its new Arts & Culture Programme with Sea State, a powerful site-specific exhibition featuring new work by renowned British artists Maggi Hambling and Ro Robertson. Co-curated by Simon Oldfield and Gemma Rolls-Bentley, the …
Upcoming events at Wolterton
May 24, 2025
Join us at Wolterton Park for a step-by-step paint-along led by professional artist Claire Frances Smith. …
May 31, 2025
Peonies are one of the best loved flowers, and during this short UK season we will …
June 12, 2025
Join Loïc Malfait of Satiate Artisan at Wolterton’s kitchen for a mouth-watering tasting demonstration of creative …
June 11, 2025 to June 12, 2025
Join us for an unforgettable couple of days where stunning flowers, beautiful venues, and expert floristry …
Sept. 17, 2025
Learn to create beautiful Dahlia hand-tied bouquets in a unique and very special setting – Norfolk’s …
Sept. 18, 2025
Join us to learn the basics of growing your own veg and flowers and take inspiration …
Oct. 10, 2025 to Oct. 12, 2025
Explore your creativity in one of Norfolk’s most inspiring settings! Join us for a weekend of …
June 11, 2025 to Dec. 7, 2025
Wolterton Hall launches its new Arts & Culture Programme with Sea State, a powerful site-specific exhibition …
Read more about Wolterton
Launching in June 2025, the Wolterton Arts & Culture Programme marks a bold new chapter for …
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