A nationally important late 17th century country house built for Sir Jacob Astley. The house is built in the Domestic Classical style influenced by architecture in the Netherlands and was probably completed in about 1687, and the main block is of red brick with stone and stucco dressings. The Hall has pedimented windows and dormer windows and a central portico with a coat-of-arms and swags. The interior of the main block has a late 17th century plasterwork ceiling and a room with a detailed Greek Revival ceiling dating to about 1820, as well as a wealth of other decorative detailing. To the east of the main block is a service wing which echoes the nine bay façade with a three bay portico of the main Hall. There is also a later five bay wing to the east, and the north wing and parts of the stable court date to about 1810. The Hall is the only Norfolk house to feature in Kip and Knyff's 'Britannia Illustrata', published in 1707, and is shown surrounded by large and complex gardens. The Hall fell into neglect during the latter half of the 20th century and is gradually being restored.
--- | Aerial Photograph: TG0331 F-J, K, L, R-U, X-AF,AK-AL,AM,AN. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1986. [Articles on the sale of Melton Constable Hall]. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1986-1988. [Articles on the restoration of Melton Constable Hall]. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1985-1086. [Articles on the threat to Melton Constable Hall and the potential compulsory purchase]. |
--- | Aerial Photograph: TG 0331/ ABC, ABD, ABE. |
--- | Aerial Photograph: TG 0331/ AR, AS, AT, AV, AX, AU. |
--- | Illustration: Various. Various. Architectural plans. |
--- | Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1994. TG 0331ABF, ABH. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1999. Parkland views from this part of north wing. 15 December. |
--- | Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card. |
--- | Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 611-614; Pl 71. |
--- | Correspondence: Various. 1987. Letters. |
--- | Photograph: 1987. EDJ. 10-16. |
--- | Photograph: EGK. 8-9. |
--- | Newspaper Article: The Times. 1982. [Arrticles on Melton Constable Hall]. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1983. [Sale advertisement for Melton Constable Hall]. 25 June. |
--- | Newspaper Article: The Times. 1985. Move to save listed house. 31 December. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1989. The magic of Melton. 8 April. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1993. [Articles on the warning over an overall decay of Melton Constable Hall]. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1993. 'No need for any anxiety'. 30 June. |
--- | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1999. Little gem of baroque architecture. 4 June. |
--- | Article in Serial: 1905. Melton Constable, Norfolk.. Country Life. 16 September, p1. |
--- | Article in Serial: 1928. Needlework furniture at Melton Constable.. Country Life. 6 October, p1. |
--- | Article in Serial: 1973. Melton Constable. Country Life. 8 November, p1. |
--- | Article in Serial: 1936. Astley of Melton Constable.. Country Life. 12 September, pp3. |
--- | Article in Serial: Christopher Hussey. 1928. Melton Constable - II.. Country Life. 22 September, pp8. |
--- | Article in Serial: Christopher Hussey. 1928. Melton Constable - I, Norfolk.. Country Life. 15 September, pp7. |
--- | Article in Serial: 1905. Melton Constable, Norfolk.. Country Life. 16 September, PP7. |
--- | Sale Particulars: Strutt & Parker. 1986. Melton Constable Hall, Norfolk.. |
--- | Photograph: 1987. Photographs of the Stableyard, Melton Constable Hall.. Black and white. |
--- | Photograph: 1987. Photographs of Melton Constable Hall. Black and white & Colour. |
--- | Photograph: Photographic Record of Melton Constable Hall. Print. |
--- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
--- | Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Post-Medieval. Melton Constable. |
--- | Monograph: Pevsner, N. 1962. North-East Norfolk and Norwich. The Buildings of England. 1st Edition. pp 196-197; Pl 57. |
--- | Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service. |
<S1> | Unpublished Document: Rose, E.. 1981. Building Report. Building Report. |
<S2> | Designation: English Heritage. National Heritage List for England. List Entries 1049224, 1153044, 1304482 and 1373774. |
<S3> | Publication: Kip and Knyff. 1707. Britannia Illustrata. |
<S4> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2006. What does the future hold for historic hall?. 31 May. pp 21-24. |
<S5> | Article in Serial: Gurney, D. (ed.). 1991. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1990. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLI Pt II pp 240-246. pp 242-243. |