Blo Norton Hall is a stunning moated house, dating back to the sixteenth century, located in the pretty south Norfolk village of Blo Norton. The village itself is surrounded by quiet lanes, ideal for walking, cycling and painting, and is close to Redgrave and Lopham Fen. Only two hours door to door from London, it is the perfect choice for a relaxed, big group weekend or holiday in the East Anglian countryside.
In the summer of 1906, Virgina Woolf came to stay at Blo Norton Hall. The house reputedly provided the setting for her short story, 'The Journal of Miss Joan Martyn'In the story the main character, Rosamund Merridew, is a historian researching England's land-tenure system. Today's guests will find the house equally fascinating, furnished throughout with antique furniture, its grand oak staircase and reception rooms hung with family portraits and other oil paintings.
The drawing room is the main gathering point, with its large, open fireplace. There's a smaller, informal TV room next door. The large, charismatic, open plan kitchen is probably the hub of the house, and has direct access into the gardens.
The first floor corridor leads to six supremely comfortable bedrooms and six bath/shower (five of which are en-suite).The second floor has outstanding views over the gardens and a further 3 bedroom suites, each with a bath/shower room and large sitting area.
The house is furnished throughout with antique furniture. Family portraits and other pictures line the grand oak staircase and reception rooms. The entrance hall leads into the Main Hall where access to the drawing room can be found. This room has a large open fire place and is next to a King Size bedroom, ideal for those less able. The large charismatic open plan kitchen is on the east of the entrance hall with direct access into the gardens. A further downstairs bedroom is also available on request.
The first floor corridor leads to six luxurious bedrooms with six bathrooms / shower rooms ( five en-suite).
The second floor provides outstanding views of the surrounding gardens and offers a large sitting area with TV and Ping Pong Table.
The bedrooms comprise:
3 large four poster beds
2 large double rooms
1 Family room with king-size and small double bed
2 twin room
Sleeping Max of 18 Persons (includes children over 3 years of age, Travel cots accepted)
Guests can dine together in the large, oak-panelled hall.
* 2 TVs
* Washing machine
* Tumble dryer
* Everhot cooker/range, gas hob, electric oven
* Dishwasher
* Combi microwave oven
* Fridge freezer
* Music system
* iPod dock
* Barbecue
* Garden furniture
Central heating, logs and kindling, and all linen/towels are included.
Domestic help and cooking can be arranged. Please ask well in advance.
Wedding facilities
Recommended catering & event management facilities are available on request.
On the river Little Ouse, which forms a picturesque border between Norfolk and Suffolk. The house is therefore in an ideal position for exploring all that both counties have to offer. The nearest towns for shops and facilites are Diss and Thetford. It is 16 miles to Bury St Edmunds and 32 miles to Newmarket.
Nearest airport: Stanstead/Norwich/Ipswich
Nearest station: Diss (fast train from Liverpool St), also Thetford.
While staying at Blo Norton, Virginia Woolf used to cycle around the Norfolk lanes and visited various places including Kenninghall. Pottering around the lanes and poppy fields on a bike is still extremely popular in Norfolk, not least because of its only gentle undulations and wide horizons.
Other things to do in the area, within 10 miles, include:
Riding stables (at Garboldisham, half a mile away)
Boundary Farm Riding Stables (IP22 2QP) Tel : 07908 22360
Redgrave & Lopham Fen National Nature Reserve
Knettishall Heath Country Park
Bressingham Gardens
Banham Zoo
Wyken Hall Vineyards
Ancient House Museum, Thetford
Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum
A few miles further afield:
Wingfield College
Grime's Graves
High Lodge Forest Centre
Bury Saint Edmunds Cathedral
Museum of East Anglian Life
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve
West Stow Country Park
Newmarket Racecourse
From £2,195 - £4,500 per week.
Low Season - January to March
Mid Season - April, May , September, October& November
High Season - June, July, August, Christmas & New Year
For 2,3 & 4 night weekends breaks, please call or email for prices & availability.