Photo: Raynham Hall by Nigel Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Raynham Hall is a historic house in Norfolk, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Raynham Hall
Raynham Hall in Norfolk has been the family seat of the Townshends for nearly 400 years.
The house gave its name to the five estate villages known collectively as The Raynhams.
It is best known for a photograph taken on its staircase in 1936, said to show the ghost of a grey lady and still cited as one of the most famous supposed ghost images ever captured.
The hall remains in private hands and visits are arranged through the estate rather than a national heritage body.
History of Raynham Hall
The hall is thought to have been built in the early 17th century for Sir Roger Townshend, and has remained in the family's hands ever since. Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend (1674–1738), was a significant statesman and Secretary of State who is traditionally credited with promoting the four-course crop rotation system that helped transform English farming.
Architecture of Raynham Hall
Raynham Hall is thought to date from the early 1600s and is often discussed as one of England's earliest houses to show Palladian influence, though the attribution of its design has long been debated among architectural historians.
Worth knowing
The hall produced the 1936 photograph of the so-called Brown Lady descending the staircase, widely regarded as the most famous ghost photograph ever taken and published at the time in Country Life magazine. Charles Townshend earned the nickname 'Turnip Townshend' for his promotion of turnip cultivation as part of his agricultural reforms.
Plan your visit to Raynham Hall
Nearest station: Walsingham (Wells & Walsingham Railway) (7.7 miles)
Places to visit near Raynham Hall
Sennowe Park
View Sennowe Park on heritage mapNorth Elmham chapel and manor house
View North Elmham chapel and manor house on heritage mapCastle Acre Castle
View Castle Acre Castle on heritage mapCastle Acre Castle, town defences and Bailey Gate
View Castle Acre Castle, town defences and Bailey Gate on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 10 miles of Raynham Hall there are 9 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings and 3 historic houses, across English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 20 miles of Raynham Hall there are 33 historic properties, including 10 historic buildings, 9 historic houses and 9 churchs, across Historic Houses, English Heritage and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Facts
Home of England's most famous ghost photograph and nearly four centuries of unbroken Townshend ownership.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- Norfolk, England
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