Clan Rising
Costessey Hall today

England · Demolished

Costessey Hall

Costessey Hall was a large Gothic revival manor house in Costessey, Norfolk, rebuilt by John Chessell Buckler for Lord Stafford Jerningham between 1826 and 1836. The house was left empty after 1913, requisitioned in World War I and demolished in 1925; only the small belfry block survives in the park.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1836

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1836

What Costessey Hall looked like in its prime.

A sprawling Gothic-revival manor in pale ashlar, dominated by a tall square crenellated tower with a flagpole and a round stair turret; the main block displays steep gabled roofs, paired projecting oriel bays with mullioned windows and balustraded bases, and numerous high, ornate chimney stacks. A long service range with an arcaded veranda runs to one side. The composition sits in parkland with mature specimen trees and a broad lawn to the south.

Its story

The story of Costessey Hall.

Costessey Hall is first mentioned around 1086, when William the Conqueror gave it to Alan Rufus, Earl of Richmond; it may later have been granted to Anne of Cleves by her husband Henry VIII. Between 1826 and 1836 John Chessell Buckler built a Gothic castle there for Lord Stafford Jerningham, several times larger than the original Tudor hall.

In 1913 the contents of the house were sold and the hall was left empty; requisitioned in the First World War, it was demolished in 1925. Only the small belfry block survives in the park, four miles west of Norwich.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1836.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Costessey Hall, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

South lawn approachBase of the central crenellated towerOriel bay windows of the main façadeArcaded veranda and service rangeBattlement walk and rooftopsBelfry block in the park

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Recreate Costessey Hall with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1836, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Costessey Hall.

The families that held Costessey Hall for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Jerningham

    Lord Stafford Jerningham had the hall rebuilt as a vast Gothic castle, 1826–1836; its contents were sold in 1913.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Costessey Hall.

Norwich Cathedral, EnglandCathedralNorwich Cathedral8 km awayCarrow Road, EnglandStadiumCarrow Road8 km awayBlickling Hall, EnglandMuseumBlickling Hall17 km away

Questions about Costessey Hall

What is the history of Costessey Hall?

Costessey Hall’s main Gothic rebuilding took place in the nineteenth century, from 1826 to 1836, for Lord Stafford Jerningham. The site was first mentioned around 1086, when William the Conqueror gave it to Alan Rufus, Earl of Richmond. After its contents were sold in 1913, the hall was left empty, requisitioned during the First World War and demolished in 1925.

Why was Costessey Hall built, and what was it used for?

Costessey Hall was built as a grand Gothic residence for Lord Stafford Jerningham, replacing and greatly enlarging the earlier Tudor hall. John Chessell Buckler’s castle was several times larger than the original. It later lost its residential use: the contents were sold in 1913, and the empty house was requisitioned during the First World War.

Where is Costessey Hall?

Costessey Hall was in Costessey, Norfolk, four miles west of Norwich. The house stood in parkland beside the River Tud, while the original manor house remained on the north side of the river in Costessey Park. The surviving belfry block is by the 18th fairway of Costessey Park Golf Course.

Which family or clan held Costessey Hall?

The Jerningham family held Costessey Hall, with Lord Stafford Jerningham commissioning its rebuilding between 1826 and 1836. The contents of the hall were sold in 1913. Earlier, Sir Henry Jerningham was awarded the hall by Mary I in 1555 for supporting her contested accession against Lady Jane Grey.

What did Costessey Hall look like in its prime?

Costessey Hall was a sprawling Gothic-revival manor in pale ashlar, dominated by a tall square crenellated tower with a flagpole and round stair turret. Steep gabled roofs, paired projecting oriel bays, mullioned windows, ornate chimney stacks and a long service range with an arcaded veranda completed the composition in parkland.

Is Costessey Hall still standing, or is it a ruin?

Costessey Hall is no longer standing: it was demolished in 1925. The house had been left empty after its contents were sold in 1913 and was requisitioned during the First World War. Only the small belfry block survives in the park, by the 18th fairway of Costessey Park Golf Course.

Who built Costessey Hall?

Costessey Hall was built by the architect John Chessell Buckler for Lord Stafford Jerningham between 1826 and 1836. Buckler was responsible for constructing the Gothic castle, while Lord Stafford Jerningham was the person for whom it was built. The new house was several times larger than the original Tudor hall.

When was Costessey Hall built?

Costessey Hall was built in the nineteenth century, between 1826 and 1836. The site’s first-raised year is not recorded, but the Gothic castle itself belongs to this period. It replaced the earlier Tudor hall and was several times larger than it.

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Costessey Hall stands in historic Norwich, explore the whole city through the ages

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