Kirstead Hall is a fine Grade 1 listed Elizabethan Manor house begun in 1570. The gardens contain an important Grade 2* octagonal dovecote and next to the house stand two imposing Grade 1 listed Tudor barns. The east end room was used by Edward Seago (1910-74) as his first studio and the honeysuckle over the porch was there in his time. This is essentially a family house occupied by three generations exuding warmth and hospitality.

The tour, conducted by the owners will take about 2 hours, and covers the house, dovecote and antique furniture restoration studio, and includes tea/coffee, biscuits and cakes.

Take a guided walk through the centuries of Aylsham’s history. Starting from the relatively modern Bure Valley Railway, we’ll go along part of the original main road from Norwich to Cromer with its 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings, to the Market Place, through the churchyard, past the fourteenth century parish church, to the Heritage Centre for cake and a cuppa. Looking at some of the buildings en route will help unfold the story of the town, founded around 500 AD, that continues as a thriving market town in the 21st century.

Includes tea and cake.

Built by George Skipper, beginning in 1900. The interior is a sumptuous homage to the English Renaissance fashioned from 15 kinds of marble which were destined for Westminster Cathedral. The cost proved too much for the Cathedral authorities, but Skipper persuaded Norwich Union to buy the entire consignment and he used it to stunning effect

Booking opens 6 May 2019