Wolterton Hall
One of the four grand power houses of Norfolk and since restored to the highest of standards.
Wolterton Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 7LY
Wolterton Hall was built by Horatio Walpole, brother of Sir Robert, our first Prime Minister. Inspired by Palladio, Thomas Ripley the architect produced an exceptional house of great originality and style.
As Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert seems to have had unlimited access to funds and his brother seems to have done rather well in building Wolterton Hall which is more modest in scale though still a very substantial stately home.
The Walpoles had been established in north Norfolk as landed gentry from the 14th century. Horatio decided to purchase Wolterton to build himself a grand house.
Horatio bought an existing house at Wolterton but after the work had begun, it burnt down. His architect, Thomas Ripley, was already working on Houghton Hall, persuaded him to start again with a house inspired by Andrea Palladio, who had revived the classical buildings of Ancient Greece.
Work began in earnest in 1727 and the hall was completed in 1742. Having been ambassador in Paris and the Hague and a member of Parliament and an active government minister, Horatio built a strong relationship with Cardinal Fleury, Louis XIV’s foreign minister, which resulted in a peaceful relationship with France, on which Britain’s prosperity was built. Cardinal Fleury gave Horatio the fine tapestries which still adorn the state rooms at Wolterton.