The New Murrey and Blue blog

I know how we often grin when speaking of brick-built outhouses, but in this case it’s a lot bigger than the edifices we laugh about. Hales Hall in Norfolk has a barn-and-a-half. And it really is the largest in England.

However, I fear that in order to read about it to the full in this article (and the included link to the agent’s site for many more photographs), you have to accept that all things Tudor are supreme. For starters there’s this: “…. There’s nothing quite like a proper Tudor house….”

Oh, yes there is! What about the numerous magnificent medieval houses that preceded the flaming Tudors? The world didn’t start with the Tudors, although the Tudors themselves started with Henry VII, in whose reign Hales Hall was built.

I agree that many buildings erected during the ascendancy of the House of Tudor are magnificent—often chocolate-boxily so—but then so were properties erected in the centuries before and after them, so I do wish this daft Tudor Worship would cease.

With that off my stout Yorkist chest, I have to concede that Hales Hall is a splendid “….seven-bedroom Grade I-listed Tudor house in nine acres near Loddon in Norfolk, jointly on the market with Savills and Blue Book Agency for £3.9m. Built by Sir James Hobart, Attorney General to Henry VII, one vast wing of the original house, which was constructed in the late 15th century, is all that remains.…”

So it seems that only one wing of the present hall dates to the time of Sir James Hobart.

There is also the vast brick-built barn. It is described thus:- “….at 184ft [it] is the largest brick-built Tudor barn in England. Featuring 180 characterful ‘loophole’ windows once used for defence, it now operates as a venue for events, including hosting up to 48 weddings per year. The barn has underfloor heating, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, sound system and bar with adjoining wine and beer barrel store….”

As you can see in the illustration above, it is a truly magnificent barn, but I have to smile, imagining the dropping jaws of both Sir James and Henry VII if they saw the interior now. Well, I suppose if Henry was sufficiently impressed he’d simply grab it for himself and Sir James would have to grin and bear it. The Tudors were good at acquiring other people’s property, as a fair number of their victims could attest.

But if it is to your liking too, I fear you don’t have Henry VII’s clout. No commandeering for you. Sorry, but you’ll require £3.9 million.