Record Details
| NHER Number: | 8131 |
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| Type of record: | Building |
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| Name: | Catton Hall |
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Summary
Catton Hall was built in 1780 on an undeveloped site by Jeremiah Ives who was the mayor of Norwich between 1786 and 1801. The extensive parkland around it was laid out between 1788 and 1790 by Repton and it is his earliest known commission. Changes took place in the 19th century when Camellia House, a large cast iron cross-shaped conservatory adjoining the building was built in 1830. It was privately owned until 1948 but was used as a military convalescence home during World War One. It was bought by Norfolk County Council in 1948 and turned into an old people's home. It is now privately owned. Developments at the hall in 2003 led to the discovery of a large range of cellars extending beneath the garden south of the house. This has been interpreted as a possible icehouse.
Images - none
Location
| Grid Reference: | TG 230 121 |
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| Map Sheet: | TG21SW |
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| Parish: | OLD CATTON, BROADLAND, NORFOLK |
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Full description
18 May 1977. Visit.
Late Georgian, plastered. South front with two bay windows, one at each end, with good ironwork balconies at first floor level. Later block to east of eastern bay connects by a curving Tuscan colonade to a fine conservatory with cast iron pillars. Dentilled cornice on north and east sides. Square bay added to north with flat corner pilasters. Now restored and used as old people's home. Fluted stone pillar reused as lamp on path to north. Park was Repton's earliest work (1788).
E. Rose (NAU), 18 May 1977.
1985.
Architect: William Wilkins. Conservatory was added as Camelia House between 1852 and 1860 and is almost identical to one built by Boardman at Hanworth Hall, now demolished, in 1870s. It seems to have some early Boulton and Paul items in it.
E. Rose (NAU),15 March 1985.
1994.
No longer an old people's home.
See (S1) in file and large rolled plans.
E. Rose (NLA).
October 2002. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with extension. No contexts used.
No features or finds of archaeological significance were recorded.
See report (S2) for further details.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 5 August 2004.
November 2002.
(S3) dates the building to circa 1780, but the ironwork on the bay windows is late 19th century. The infill wing to the north is a 19th century library and the west wing is also 19th century, but the colonnade connecting to the orangery is 20th century. The interior is said to have 18th century staircase, panelling, Ionic columns, cornices and fireplaces, with Edwardian decoration on the floor landing. The curving wing connecting the west extension was examined by the author; it has bricks dating to after about 1770 and is indeed probably 19th century.
E. Rose (NLA), 18 November 2002.
The building was a military convalescent home during World War Two. (S4) says that stained glass from here was removed to Plumstead near Holt church, but (S5) says this came from the church.
E. Rose (NLA), 26 February 2003.
February 2003.
Visit to inspect remarkable set of 18th century cellars discovered under lawns, with 19th century tunnel from west - possibly for conversion to ice store?
See (S6).
E. Rose (NLA), 26 February 2003.
Monument Types
- CELLAR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- CONSERVATORY (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- GREAT HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
- ICEHOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Associated Finds - none
Protected Status
Sources and further reading
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1985. [Articles and letters to the editor regarding the proposed demolition of Camellia House]. |
| --- | Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1995. TG 2311C - E; TG 2312A - C. |
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1989. [Photograph of Catton Hall]. 19 September. |
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991-1994. [Sale advertisements and an article on the sale of Catton Hall]. |
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991. Plan for flats at old hall. 19 January. |
| --- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1994. [Photographs of Catton Hall]. 21 May. |
| --- | Unpublished Document: Manning, M.. 1975. History of Old Catton.. |
| --- | Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card. |
| --- | Documentary Source: Manning, I. M. A History of Old Catton. pp 8-9. |
| --- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
| --- | *Rolled Plan: Large Plan Exists. |
| --- | Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service. |
| <S1> | Illustration: Various. Various. Architectural plans. |
| <S2> | Unpublished Contractor Report: Boyle, M. 2003. Report on An Archaeological Watching Brief at Catton Hall, Catton Hall Park, Old Catton, Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 766. |
| <S3> | Designation: English Heritage. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1050905. |
| <S4> | Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 627. |
| <S5> | Unpublished Document: Manning, M.. 1975. History of Old Catton.. |
| <S6> | Unpublished Document: Rose, E.. 2003. Building Report.. Building Report. |
Related records - none
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