Didlington Estate, Norfolk

From the Particulars of Sale, Didlington Estate, 1910, pp. 7-13.

PARTICULARS.

About two hours from London, on the Great Eastern Railway, BRANDON STATION is reached, and a pleasant drive through a bracing country, passing through the typical norfolk VILLAGE OF MUNDFORD, and crossing the River Wissey, brings one to the Mundford Entrance to

Didlington Park
GUARDED BY AN

ORNAMENTAL ENTRANCE LODGE.

A Long Drive through a

MAGNIFICENT TIMBERED PARK

OF ABOUT

700 Acres,

bounded by the River Wissey, flanked on both sides by delightful Heath-
land and finely-grown Forest Timber, and intersected by a capital Trout
Stream, terminates at

Didlington Hall

a stately Mansion, beautifully situated, built of white and red brick and
slated, from a design of the Georgian period, the Eastern end being
surmounted by

A LOFTY TOWER.

Access if gained through a fine Portico, supported by four assive stone columns,
beneath which double doors open into

THE ENTRANCE HALL,
measuring 27 ft. 7 in. by 20 ft. 3 in., having oak block floor and fire-place with
marble mantel and dog grate. On the left is

The Morning Room
a cheerful apartment, measuring 32 ft. y 19 ft. 3 in, with two windows over-
looking the front and having a fine open fire-place with marble mantel and
jambs and a dog grate. The room is fitted with glazed book cupboards and
drawers in the recesses. Another door gives access from the Back Passage and
Offices.

THE INNER HALL,
measuring 25ft. 10 in. by 17 ft. 2 in., which has a lofty coved ceiling beautifully
painted, representing the “Four Seasons,” is reached from the Outer Hall
through double glazed doors, and has a fire-place with white marble mantel.
On the right is

The Noble Dining Room,
measuring 44ft by 20 ft. 9 in., with lofty windows on two sides looking North
and West on to the Terrace and Gardens. This rooms has a carved marble
chimney-piece.

The Library
is also reached from the Hall, and measures 39 ft. by 23 ft. 6, the walls being
entirely lined by walnut bookcases; the door is concealed by book-backs,
and a safe is built into the cases. The fine steel and ormolu grate is set in a
white and grey marble mantel, and three lofty windows facing West open on to
the Terrace.

THE
Entertaining Rooms,
occupy the whole of the South Front of the Residence, and
form a

Fine Suite of Apartments
communicating throughout the entire length. At the Western
end is

The Yellow Dining Room,
measuring 20 ft. 9 in. by 14 ft. 4 in., with panelled ceiling,
steel grate with carved white marble mantel and kerb designed
by FLAXMAN, walls panelled in silk, and window recess, 19 ft. 6 in.
by 6 ft. 3 in., overlooking the Lake. Adjoining is

The Boudoir,

a beautiful corner room, 16 ft. 9 in. by 12 ft. 3 in., having
ornamental ceiling and two windows facing South and West,
satin-wood mantel and bookshelves and door en suite. Com-
municating is

The Vernet Room,

27 ft. 6 in. by 11 ft 6 in., beautifully decorated, the walls being
covered with lather painted by JOSEPH VERNET (which can
be purchased by arrangement), and having door leading to
the Garden Terrace. Next is

The Red Drawing Room,

32 ft. 6 in. by 20 ft/ 9 in., with marble mantel, window recess,
19 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft. 3 in., overlooking the Terrace. Com-
municating on the other side is

The Octagon Room.

20 ft. 9 in. in diameter, lighted from above by handsome dome,
the ceiling and walls bing decorated in painted panels with
grotesque figures of animals and birds, and tablets inscribed
with the names of famous Potters, and having display cupboards
for china.

The Garden Entrance, 13 ft. 9 in. by 11 ft. 9 in., leads in to the

New Museum or Ball Room,

a stately apartment, finished throughout in oak, and measuring
90 ft. 9 in. by 28 ft. 3 in. At one end is a MINSTREL
GALLERY for Organ. Remarkably handsome Italian Renais
-sance carved marble mantel-piece with medallions in relief.
The room is lighted on the South and East by lofty windows
from which charming Views of the Grounds are obtained.
Adjoining is

The Old Museum,

lighted from above, with recess at one end.

The Billiard Room,

with top light and coved ceiling, 30 ft. 6 in. by 22 ft. 6 in.,
fitted with bookcases and having a white marble mantel.

Off the Entrance Hall is THE COURT, comprising lavatory
with hot and cold supplies and two w.c.'s.

The First Floor

is reached by a wide Oak Principal Staircase eith ornamental ballisters, and
lighted by a glass dome.

Around this Landing the PRINCIPAL BED-CHAMBERS are arranged
as follows:—

THE PATCHWORK ROOM,
measuing about 22 ft. 2 in. by 21 ft., is situated in the North-west corner, and
commands good Views in both directions. It is fited with fire-place and marble
mantel, and communicates with a charming BOUDOIR, with white marble
mantel, and with a BATH ROOM with fitted Bath (h. & c.), and w.c., also
a comfortable DRESSING ROOM with fire-place and marble mantel.

THE WOOL ROOM.
A Bed-chamber, facing the front, and measuring about 22 ft. by 14 ft. with marble
mantel

THE DAY NURSERY,
about 21 ft. by 13 ft., communicating with

THE NIGHT NURSERY,
about 21 ft. by 13 ft., w.c. and housemaid's cupboard, with hot and cold and
filtered supplies.

The Principal Guests' Bed-Chambers
are approached from a lobby leading from the First Floor Landing to the
Corridor, and comp[rise

A Charming Suite,
facing South, and consisting of a BED ROOM, 21 ft. by
19 ft. 6 in. decorated in Japanese style by an eminent
native artist, the walls being covered in Japanese matting, and
silk panels painted in beautiful designs embroidered in gold,
and ceiling painted with flying storks. Adjoining is the BATH
ROOM, fitted with Bath (h. & c,), and w.c., also DRESSING
ROOM and WARDROBE ROOM. BOUDOIR, about 20 ft. by
12 ft., with polished steel and ormolu grate,and white marble
mantel.

The Prince's Room,
about 24 ft. by 20 ft. 6 in. a tastefully decorated apartment
having a carved wood mantel with colored marble frieze and
aurround. DRESSING ROOM adjoining and communicating
with BATH ROOM (h. & c.), and w.c., also a SMALL BOUDOIR
with corner fireplace and window overlooking avenue.

This Suite has been occupied on many occasions by Members
of our Royal Family, amongst those who have used the rooms
being His late Majesty King Edward, His present Majesty
King George, and his late Majesty the King of Portugal.

The Middle Room,
35 ft. long, the width varying betwwen 23 ft. by 15 ft. 6 in. has
a charming View to the West over the Deer Paddock, and
communicates with a DRESSING ROOM, divided by a painted
glass screen from the BATH ROOM.

In this portion of the House is also ANOTHER BED ROOM,
a housemaid's cupboard (h. & c.), and cupboard.

From the Corridor lighted throughout one side, fitted with cupboards and china
shelves, are:—

Five Guests's Bed-Chambers,
COMPRISING
THE OAK ROOM, about 23 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft.; two rooms measuring about
23 ft. 6 in. by 17 ft. 6 in/ each, communicating with DRESSING ROOMS, about
23 ft. 6 in. by 10 ft. 9 in.; housemaid's cupboard with sink (h. & c.), and w.c.

In the East Wing, on this Floor, are:—

Four Guest's Bed Rooms and Bath Room,
and above are
Five Bachelor's Bed Rooms,
housemaid's sink (h. & c.), and w.c.

On the Second Floor

approached by Three Staircases are:—

FIVE BACHELORS' BED ROOMS and SITTING ROOM, BATH ROOM
{h. and c.), Box Room, Cupboards, and w.c.; another BED ROOM, about 22 ft. by
21 ft. 3 in.; a similar BED ROOM, with beautifully-painted ceiling after the
design of the Baths of Titus at Rome; SITTING ROOM, about 18 ft. 9 in. by
16 ft. 6 in. facing South; TWO OTHER BED ROOMS, BATH ROOM,w.c.,
and Housemaid's Sink; Photographic Dark Room, with sink; Store Cupboard.



In the TOWER are:—
A LATHE ROOM, and the Storage Cisterns for Water, with
an OBSERVATORY and Flat Roof, from which extensive
Views of the surrounding country may be obtained; the
whole being surmounted by a Flagstaff.
____________________________

The Servants' Accommodation

is quite secluded from the foregoing, and comprises


The Maid Servants' Rooms ( reached by Staircase from the Old Hall),—

Ten Bed Rooms (accommodating Fourteen Beds), Sitting Room, Work Room,
Box Room, w.c., and Sink (h. and c.) and Ranges of Cupboards,

The Men Servants' Rooms are reached from the Back Entrance Lobby,
and afford accommodation for Eleven Men in Seven Bed Rooms; w.c., Sink

and Cupboards.
THE DOMESTIC OFFICES
are ample and conveniently situated, all upon the Ground Floor. They comprise
BUTLER'S PANTRY and CLEANING ROOM, with plate closet with iron door,
cupbnoards, sink (hot and cold supplies), and fireplace.

STEWARD'S ROOM, with fireplace and fitted range of cupboards; Still Room,

with range by BENHAM & SONS, sink and cupbroards; Store Room
and Inner ditto, with cupbroards and shelves

STEWARD'S OFFICE, with cupboards and shelves; Inner Office, with safe.

SERVANTS' HALL; Boot-hole; Brushing Room; Dairy.

LARGE KITCHEN, with range by BENHAM & SONS, hot-plate, dresser, bread

oven, and sinks; Pastry Pantry; small Larder; Scullery, with dresser
and sinks; Bake-house; large Larder, and the OLD HALL, fitted with
shelves for boxes, etc, and Safe.

SERVING ROOM, communicating with Dining Room, with hot cupboard and china

cupboard, and reached by Basement Passage, from the Ktchen.

Very large Cellarage for Beer, etc., and extensive Cellars.

Gun Room, and Keeper's Room.

The Back Entrance is reached through a Courtyard,

_______________________

The Stabling and Motor Accommodation
COMPRISES

A Glass-covered Washing Yard, with brick floor; HARNESS ROOM, with stove and
glazed cupboard; Harness-cleaning Room, with Two Bed Rooms over and 2 w.c.'s;
FOUR-STALL STABLE;
ANOTHER STABLE, with Three Stalls, Loose Box;
ANOTHER, with Two Loose Boxes;
A SIMILAR STABLE;
ANOTHER, with One Stall and Loose Box, and
ANOTHER, with For Stalls and Loose Box. Carpenter's Shop.

The Archway in stable Yard with groined ceiling was panted by LANDSEER as the background

to one of his pictures.
MOTOR GARAGE,
with pit and Electrical Apparatus for chargng accumulators, and a smaller GARAGE
or COACH-HOUSE at present used for the Steam Fire Engine.

COACH-HOUSE for Six Carriages; ANOTHER for Four ditto, with Three

Bed Rooms, w.c. and sink over.

Two Coal Cellars and Wood-house, Two w.c.'s; old Bake-house; Bottle Store, w.c.;
Stoke-hole with furnace for heating House and supplying baths; Game Larder;

small Greenhouse.

THE ENGINE-HOUSE ; Two Stables for Cart Horses; large Open Shed; Store

Room; Workshops; Men's Room; Van-house, and Dovecote.

Summary of Accommodation.
ENTRANCE HALL.	FIVE DRESSING ROOMS.
INNER HALL.	SEVEN BATH ROOMS.
MORNING ROOM.	TWO BOUDOIRS.
LIBRARY.	TWO SITTING ROOMS.
TWO DRAWING ROOMS.	TWO NURSERIES.
BOUDOIR. VERNET ROOM.	SEVENTEEN SERVANT'S BED ROOMS.
OCTAGON ROOM.	OFFICES.
MUSEUM OR BALL ROOM. OLD MUSEUM.	STABLING FOR NINETEEN HORSES.
BILLIARD ROOM.	MOTOR GARAGE.
TWENTY-NINE PRINCIPAL AND SECONDARY BED ROOMS.	FIVE GROOMS' BED ROOMS.



THE ELECTRIC LIGHT (which is generated near the Stables), is
installed throughout the House and Stables, and is in good order, the
Engine, Cells, etc. having been renewed last year

____________________


THE WATER SUPPLY is ample and is obtained from Springs, and
pumped by electricity into the Water Tower, which contains excellent
Storage capacity, Water is also pumped to the Tower by Turbine from
the Lake.

____________________


THE DRAINAGE is believed to be in good order, with modern sanitation
throughout.

____________________


THE HYDRANTS are placed in convenient positions and there is a Steam
Fire Engine with connections.

____________________


THE HOUSE IS HEATED throughout by Radiators.



© Transcription Copyright E.C. ("Paddy")Apling, April 2006.