Kirstead Hall
Norfolk brick manor house in the shape of an E, after Elizabeth I, Queen of England.
Brooke, Norwich, Norfolk, NR15 1ER
![Kirstead Hall in Norfolk](https://www.historichouses.org/app/uploads/2021/01/kirstead-hall-2-730x385.jpg)
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible parking
Kirstead Hall is a fine and beautiful mellow red-brick Grade I Tudor hall, begun in 1540 of E-shaped plan with pin tile roof and stepped Flemish gable ends.
There is brickwork with attractive blue diaper decoration, 18th-century graffiti on the leaded lights, and the porch features anti-witchcraft symbols. The gardens are partly walled with an important Grade II* octagonal dovecote in the grounds. The drawing room was the first studio of the artist Edward Seago and the honeysuckle over the porch was there in his time. Essentially still a family home, exuding warmth and hospitality, the owners’ youngest daughter and her family lived on the top floor until recently.
A family ancestress was Mary Christian, the genteel sister of the mutineer Fletcher, who has an interesting family history and also owned the Palgrave Murphy Shipping Company, which included a line between Great Yarmouth and Dublin.
Visitors can see three letters from Agatha Christie to the owner’s late aunt when she was a nun, a note from Snaffles the artist, a letter with a sketch by Field Marshall Alexander, and unusual examples of miniature honeymoon underwear circa 1926. Albums from the 1900s include the signature of King Manuel II, the last King of Portugal. The funeral service sheets of Field Marshal Alexander, The Lord Wilson and Major General Dudley Johnson VC can also be viewed.
Early albums have photos of World War I battlefields and include one of General French. A scrapbook of Country Life photos and cuttings from the 1930s can be perused. Albums illustrating social history and fashion from the 1900s include some really ugly ancestors.
The famous Talbot House, Toc H, was founded under the aegis of the owner’s great uncle Edward van Cutsem, Town Major of Poperingue in Belgium during World War I, as he was able to obtain materials to rebuild the shattered house. The executions of soldiers shot at dawn was a dreadful duty that went to his heart. He made the process more humane and his accounts of this can be read.
The owner’s uncle helped to organise the signing of the German surrender in 1945. His memoir of the occasion can be read, and he was also present at Himmler’s suicide.
Dermot’s father was the sole survivor when his tank took a direct hit during the Burma Campaign. His account can be read, “I was lying on the ground surrounded by the debris of a shattered tank…”
- Guide dogs welcome
- Accessible parking
Our hosts were so warm and welcoming. They shared their passion for their property with us and we were given a wealth of information on the history and memorabilia of the house, restoration workshop and dovecote. We were encouraged to make ourselves at home, enjoyed excellent tea/coffee, cakes and scones, and we felt like part of their family. Recommendation marks out of 10 - a well-deserved 20!!
We thought the owners were excellent, really friendly and we felt very welcome in their home. The whole experience was very interesting and we would say the best we have visited so far.
![Kirstead Hall, Norfolk](https://uploads.tickettailor.com/c_crop,dpr_1.0,h_354,q_100,w_354,x_59,y_0/c_scale,h_288,q_70,w_288/v1/production/userfiles/w6ddmg1xzsmiugeggfbg.jpg?_a=BAAARODQ)
Kirstead Hall, Norfolk
Getting here
Brooke, Norwich, Norfolk, NR15 1ER
From Norwich take the B13342 to Bungay. At Brooke village crossroads turn left on to “The Street”, At ponds keep right and take the sharp right hand bend marked Seething. Pass cottages on left. Down an incline and up another, Turn left into drive just before the sharp bend sign. From Bungay take the sign Kirstead Church continue to keep Church on the right. At T junction go straight across into farm yard. through gap in hedge on left.
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![](https://www.historichouses.org/app/uploads/2023/08/kirstead-hall_map_99178.jpg)