Morston Hall

Morston Hall

Company type	Private
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	c. 1640
Headquarters	Morston, Norfolk , England
Products	Country house hotel, wedding venue

Morston Hall, situated in the parish of Morston near Holt, Norfolk, is a building of considerable historical importance. The original structure, dating back to approximately 1640, still contains cellars and chimneys from that era. Significant modifications were made during the 18th century, followed by the addition of a wing in the 19th century. From the 17th century until 1911, it belonged to the Townshend viscounts of Raynham Hall and was leased to prominent tenants before its conversion into a hotel focusing on events like weddings.

Early history

During the 16th century, the Manor of Morston was under the ownership of Sir Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey. In 1593, his daughter Anne wed Sir John Townshend, with their marriage settlement including several manors such as Morston. After Sir Nathaniel's death in 1622 and Sir John's earlier demise, their son Sir Roger Townshend (1596–1637) inherited the estate. The Townshend family maintained possession until 1911. They were responsible for constructing the original Morston Hall around 1640 and overseeing later extensions.

The 1838 Tithe Map records Lord Charles Townshend as owner with George Wood as tenant. The Wood family occupied Morston Hall for nearly one hundred years.

George Wood (1796–1865), a local native, married Elizabeth Wrench in 1820 and they had six children. The family cultivated roughly 2,000 acres adjacent to the Hall for about four decades. After George’s passing, his son William George Wood (1824–1903) assumed control and residence of the Hall. William married Fanny Page in 1857, daughter of Christopher Thomas Page from Stiffkey, and they had seven children. Upon William’s death, his son Robert Wrench Wood (1876–1949) inherited both the estate and farming operations until their sale in 1911. Robert married Violet Irene Chamberlin in 1910, daughter of Norfolk businessman Sir George Chamberlin, and they had two sons.

Later residents

In 1911, the Townshend family placed their Stiffkey and Morston estates on the market; these encompassed over 6,000 acres including Morston Hall, which was described as "a desirable residence for a gentleman farmer."

After being sold, the Hall was rented out. In 1914, Major Philip Hamond (1883–1953), a highly decorated soldier awarded two DSOs and a Military Cross who served in both the Boer War and First World War, leased Morston Hall. He lived there with his wife Rita until around 1922 before constructing Scaldbeck House at Stiffkey. The property was again offered for sale in 1936.

From approximately 1958 to 1964, Major Robert Hamond and his wife Elizabeth Marion resided at the Hall; he was the son of Philip Hamond.

Bernard Alan Copping, a millionaire and distinguished authority on fine silver, owned Morston Hall until his death in 1986.

Today, Tracy and Galton Blackiston run Morston Hall as a country house hotel.