A Grade-I listed manor house that Henry VIII once described as his ‘small country palace in Barsham’ has gone on the market for £3million.
Built between 1520 and 1530, Wolterton Manor House, in East Barsham, boasts a Great Hall, eight bedrooms and is set within four and a half acres.
King Henry VIII reportedly stayed in the mansion on five separate occasions, each time with a different wife, while visiting the nearby shrine to our Lady of Walsingham tp pray for a son and heir.
As well as the Tudor monarch, Barsham Manor in Fakenham, Norfolk, has played host to knights, politicians and celebrities, and was once owned by Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood.
The Grade I listed property was built for Sir Henry Fermor, well connected at Henry VIII’s court, it has been privately owned down the centuries by aristocratic families including the Calthorpes and the Astleys.
Fit for royalty: King Henry VIII stayed in the mansion on five separate occasions, each time with a different wife, while visiting the nearby shrine to our Lady of Walsingham. He once described as his ‘small country palace in Barsham’
Gilded: The historic manor house, which is a listed building, has gone on the market for a regal £3million – but needs work
Does your house have stained glass windows? As well as the Tudor monarch, Barsham Manor in Fakenham, Norfolk, has played host to knights, politicians and celebrities, and was once owned by Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood
The Grade-I listed brick-built Tudor property still features period touches, including turrets, chimneys and a royal coat of arms above the front porch.
The estate agents say the main draw is the 41ft long Great Hall with a huge stone fireplace and a minstrels’ gallery.
Despite the hefty price tag, the manor needs a £1million overhaul after its last extensive renovation in the late 1990s.
During the 18th century the property was left uninhabited and fell into disrepair before being renovated between 1922 and 1936.
In the grounds there is also a separate three-bedroom cottage along with two workshops that could also be converted into accommodation.
Alex Drown, from the Burnham Market branch of Abbotts Town & Country Houses said: ‘King Henry VIII had visited here, we got the information off the owner who often does tours for charity around the grounds.
Original features: Despite the hefty price tag, the manor which was built for Sir Henry Fermor in or around 1520, needs a £1million overhaul after its last extensive renovation in the late 1990s
Tudor themes: During the 18th century the property was left uninhabited and fell into disrepair before being renovated
Two homes for the price of one: In the five-acre grounds there is also a separate three-bedroom cottage along with two workshops that could also be converted into accommodation
Connections: The home was initially built for Sir Henry Fermor and has been privately owned – mostly by aristocratic families
Palatial: This floorplan reveals just how sprawling the manor house – and its cottage and workshops – really are
‘He is really interested in the history of the place and is a character. Henry VIII used to visit while travelling to a nearby shrine and called it his ‘small country palace in Barsham’.
‘It has also played host to plenty of other celebrities, politicians and knights, especially when Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood owned it.
‘It is still a very traditional property, the owner bought it a couple of years ago with the thought of renovating it.
‘Realistically it needs around £1million spending on it as it is a big job as it is a listed building.
‘The current owner started it but due to a change in circumstance he can no longer finish the renovations.
‘It still has loads of original features -the doors and fire places are all original.
‘It is a beautiful property but does need some renovation.’
Unusual: The Grade-I listed brick-built Tudor property still features period touches, including turrets, chimneys and a royal coat of arms above the front porch
Fancy: Built between 1520 and 1530, the Manor House, in East Barsham, boasts a Great Hall and eight bedrooms