This huge 16th-18th century house and its gardens are equally full of charm and curiosity, as is the haunted staircase and fine 200-acre park designed by Repton and known for its ancient oaks. The whole estate was bought by the Cobbold brewing family in the early 20th century.
The red brick mansion, originally of the Elizabethan period, was built (around 1560) by the de Glemhams, a family which took its name from Great (Magna) and Little (Parva) Glemham. Considerable structural changes were made to the Hall between 1712 and 1722, giving it an overall Georgian façade.
The Hall remained in various branches of the North family (Lord Guilford) for more than 200 years (1709-1923). In 1923 it was purchased by the Cobbold brewing family and became the home of Captain John Murray Cobbold, founder and first chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club as a professional club, and his wife Lady Blanche, a daughter of the 9th Duke of Devonshire. Captain Cobbold – (Scots Guards) - then Colonel – was killed in 1944, when a flying bomb destroyed the Guards' Chapel in London. Glemham Hall is now owned by their great-grandson Tom Hope-Cobbold who lives in the Hall with his wife Miki and two children, Bella and Oliver.
You will be guided around the majority of the Hall, from the ground floor right up to the largely untouched servant quarters in the attics, where Elizabethan elements can still be seen, by family member Lavinia Wells. Lavinia will provide an engaging talk covering art, historical events, previous occupants and what it was like to grow up on a country estate. She is a wonderful host with an abundance of tales to tell from spending time with family here at Glemham.
The gardens feature a stunning walled rose garden, herbaceous garden, an avenue of Irish Yews and a summerhouse. Wooden benches dotted here and there encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy these beautiful spaces.
Please note that there are many flights of stairs throughout the tour as well as uneven flooring. There are limited wheelchair accessible routes through the house.
Tickets £30 including tea/coffee and cake
LOCATION
Glemham Hall, IP13 0BT
Event organiser is Historic Houses.
Disclaimer: All information was correct when the listing was prepared. Any questions about the event should be directed to the event organiser.