The Hall at Felbrigg

The Drawing Room at Felbrigg Hall

One of the most elegant country houses in East Anglia, the Hall is a place of surprises and delights, a mixture of opulence and homeliness where each room has something to feed the imagination.

Great Hall


Some of the stained glass windows in the Great Hall date from the 15th-century and some originally came from St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich. The lion and fetterlock motif can be seen used in various forms throughout the house and on the estate.

The Great Hall at Felbrigg
The Great Hall at Felbrigg
The Great Hall at Felbrigg

Dining Room

Originally the location of the stairs in the 1680's wing, the dining room was created by William Windham II between 1752 and 1755.  Currently the table is set for a dinner party hosted by the Ketton family in the 1860's, and we know what the menu for this dinner was as it is recorded in Mrs Ketton's diaries. Transcriptions of these diaries can be viewed when visiting the hall.

Drawing Room

Known originally as the Great Parlour, this was the main reception and dining room throughout the late 17th-centrury, panelled in oak and hung with pictures.  Remodelled in 1751 by James Paine the original ceiling, dating back to 1687, was retained and the plasterwork depicting the feasting of game birds fruit and flowers reflects the room's original purpose.

Cabinet Room

Originally the drawing room of the 1680’s wing, it was square and panelled until the bay window was added in 1751. William Windham II remodelled the room as the setting for the Italian pictures acquired on his Grand Tour. These still hang, very much, as he originally planned.

The Cabinet at Felbrigg Hall
The Cabinet at Felbrigg Hall
The Cabinet at Felbrigg Hall

 

Library

Soak up the atmosphere of Felbrigg's outstanding Gothic library. This room was probably the Great Chamber of the Jacobean house and was made into the Library by William Windham II between 1752 and 1755. The collection contains approximately 5,000 books, including a copy of Dr Johnson's famous dictionary. The oldest book dates from 1509 and they were all bought to be read – they weren't bought by the yard.

Do you know which books to leave on the chair to summon Felbrigg's ghosts?
Felbrigg Hall library
Do you know which books to leave on the chair to summon Felbrigg's ghosts?

Chinese Bedroom

Originally two rooms, these were united in 1751 when the bay window was built. The wallpaper was ordered through the East India Company and block printed/hand painted in China. A specialist had to be engaged to hang the paper at a cost of 3s 6d per day (17.5p) and 6d (2.5p) per mile travelling. William Windham II thought this was 'a cursed deal'.

Discover more

There are over 13,000 items in the collection bequeathed to us together with the house and estate. From delicate Mantle clocks to stately Grandfather clocks; from stained glass in the great hall to terrestrial and celestial globes in the library and much much more. Visit us to view the collection or you can now view some of our historic collection online.