A Handsome Grade II Listed Queen Anne Country House Set Centrally In Its Own Gardens And Parkland

LOT 1 - Great Hockham Hall is that rarest of things: a house of architectural distinction that has been lived in, loved and quietly perfected. Built in 1702 for Sir Philip Ryley, this handsome Grade II Listed Queen Anne house in red brick presents five bays to both east and south — a geometry of elegant repetition that is deeply satisfying to the eye. The entrance front, approached through a later eighteenth-century porch with engaged fluted Tuscan columns, sets the tone for what lies within: rooms of excellent proportion, generously scaled and beautifully lit.

The hall passed through several distinguished hands over three centuries before being acquired in 1994 and embarking on an extensive programme of restoration. The present owners, who have held the property since 2011, have continued to invest with discernment and care, honouring the architecture whilst equipping the house for the demands of modern life.

Throughout the principal reception rooms, original detail has been preserved and enhanced: fine panelled doors, generous cornicing, dado and picture rails, polished hardwood floors and open fireplaces all contribute to an interior of genuine character. The drawing room is of particular note, its full-length sash windows with working shutters flooding the room with light and framing views across the formal gardens and parkland beyond. The kitchen and breakfast room is arranged around an Aga and connects to a large barrel-vaulted cellar — a practical, atmospheric space suited equally to the serious wine collector or the ambitious cook.

To the north-west, a wing of the house has been given over to leisure, containing an indoor swimming pool and conservatory, a billiard room and a sauna – amenities that transform the house from a historic residence into a truly self-contained country retreat.

The house is arranged over three floors. The second floor, originally attic rooms, has been fully incorporated to provide additional bedroom accommodation, though it could equally be sealed off if a household’s requirements change. Nine bedrooms and eight bathrooms in total; the principal bedroom commands views east and south over the park that are, in any season, exceptional.

Secondary Accommodation
Approached by a separate driveway, Game Cottage provides three-bedroom accommodation comprising living room, dining room, study, kitchen and family bathroom. Stable Cottage offers two bedrooms, a large living room, kitchen and bathroom. Both cottages are currently let providing immediate rental income or the flexibility to accommodate staff, family members or visiting guests.