Photo: Hindringham Hall by Alex Noel-Tod, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
A moat has run the full circuit around Hindringham Hall since the 12th century, long before the present house was built.
The hall itself is an 'E'-plan manor of flint and red brick with pantiled roofs, reached across a small brick bridge over the water.
It stands in the village of Hindringham in Norfolk, a few miles from Walsingham.
The house was built around 1538 by Martin Hastings, a courtier who had made his fortune serving Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII.
It fell into decline over the following centuries until Gerald Gosselin, of Bengeo Hall in Hertfordshire, restored it in 1900.
Charles and Lynda Tucker now own the house and conduct guided tours themselves.
Historic Houses members can visit the gardens free of charge on open days, though the house itself opens only a handful of days each year for guided tours.
History
The hall was built around 1538 by Martin Hastings, a courtier who had made his fortune serving Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII. It fell into decline over the following centuries until Gerald Gosselin, of Bengeo Hall in Hertfordshire, restored it in 1900. Charles and Lynda Tucker now own the house and conduct the tours themselves, covering both its inhabitants and the medieval moat and fishponds.
Architecture
The house follows an 'E'-plan layout in flint with red brick dressings and red pantiled roofs, a Tudor arrangement that survived the Georgian and Victorian fashions that altered so many similar houses.
Worth knowing
The original builder, Martin Hastings, owed his wealth to service under Henry Fitzroy, Henry VIII's acknowledged illegitimate son, an unusually direct link between a small Norfolk manor and the Tudor court.
Gardens & grounds
The gardens, tended by Lynda Tucker, are known for their roses and a pair of black swans on the moat, with medieval fishponds surviving from the site's earlier monastic or manorial use.
Plan your visit
Nearest station: Walsingham (Wells & Walsingham Railway) (2.9 miles)
Open from March to October; check official website for dates. Guided tours available on selected dates.
Nearby properties
Binham village cross
View Binham village cross on heritage mapBinham Priory
View Binham Priory on heritage mapBlakeney Guildhall
View Blakeney Guildhall on heritage mapBlakeney Point
View Blakeney Point on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Hindringham Hall there are 3 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings, across English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of Hindringham Hall there are 11 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings and 3 historic houses, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Hindringham Hall there are 29 historic properties, including 10 historic buildings, 8 historic houses and 7 churchs, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Facts
A Tudor manor encircled by a moat dug 400 years before the house itself was built.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Norfolk, England
- Visit duration
- Allow 2 hours for guided tour, includes tea and cakes
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