A historic country manor house, which boasts 7,900sq ft of space and inspired writer Virginia Woolf, has gone on the market for £2.6million.
Woolf – who famously wrote Mrs Dalloway and A Room of One’s Own – visited Blo Norton Hall in 1906 when she was 24 and wrote a novella there, using the property as the setting for it.
Shortly after Woolf’s stay, the 16th century moated manor was rented by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, son of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire and godson of Queen Victoria.
The Grade II* Listed nine-bedroom hall in Norfolk is now on the market with Savills, who say the property is steeped in history.
The hall is classic Elizabethan architecture and has lots of impressive features including mullion windows, octagonal chimneys, stained glass, original panelling and flooring and large open fireplaces.
Historic country manor house Blo Norton Hall, which boasts 7,900sq ft of space and inspired writer Virginia Woolf, has gone on the market for £2.6million
Virginia Woolf (pictured) visited Blo Norton Hall in 1906 when she was 24 and wrote a novella there, using the property as inspiration
The hall is classic Elizabethan architecture and has lots of impressive features including mullion windows, octagonal chimneys, stained glass, original panelling and flooring and large open fireplaces
Shortly after Woolf’s stay, the 16th century moated manor was rented by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, son of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire
Woolf used the property as the setting for The Journal of Miss Joan Martyn.
In the story the main character, historian Rosamund Merridew, is travelling around Norfolk when she comes across a forgotten manor house and decides to investigate the inhabitants’ ancestors.
It was then rented by Prince Frederick, who lived there until his death 20 years later.
The house has 7,900 sq ft of accommodation over three floors.
On the ground floor there is an entrance hall, dining hall, kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, living room and two further reception rooms that could also be used as additional bedrooms.
The first floor has six bedrooms and six bathrooms and there another three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the top floor, along with a large games room.
The property is surrounded by formal gardens with topiary, parterre and high hedging and an ornamental pond, as well as an orchard. A bridge over the moat leads to the park and woodland beyond.
The Grade II* Listed nine-bedroom hall in Norfolk is now on the market with Savills, who say the property is steeped in history. Pictured: The sitting room
The master bedroom boasts a large space with rustic features including a four poster bed
The kitchen and breakfast room has been modernised but rustic features still remain in tact
The property is surrounded by formal gardens. In total the area boasts 72 acres of land
A bridge over the moat leads to the park and woodland beyond
In total it has 72 acres of land. There is also a pair of Victorian three-bedroom cottages with private gardens.
Blo Norton Hall is surrounded by unspoilt countryside on the edge of the pretty village of Blo Norton, which has a fen that is a site of special scientific interest.
Ben Rivett, of estate agents Savills, said: ‘Blo Norton Hall is an extraordinary example of Elizabethan architecture, from the moment you arrive sweeping down the lime tree avenue, through to the incredible details you are inundated with when walking through the main door, this house is very special.
‘But beyond its stunning period details, Blo Norton Hall lays claim to some incredible history across more than 700 years, with one of the most iconic British authors of the 20th Century setting a story at the house.
‘This classic combination of impeccable architecture, intriguing history and beautiful location make Blo Norton Hall a real gem amongst the country houses of East Anglia.’
The first floor has six bedrooms and six bathrooms and there another three bedrooms and three bathrooms on the top floor
The house has 7,900 sq ft of accommodation over three floors
Downstairs is a drawing room, living room and two further reception rooms that could also be used as additional bedrooms
The property is surrounded by formal gardens with topiary, parterre and high hedging and an ornamental pond, as well as an orchard
New owners will also be able to enjoy a match of tennis as the manor has a private court
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