Oxburgh Hall with kids – a day out in Norfolk

It’s easy to think of National Trust properties as frozen in time, all their history revealed and on display – but one of the best things about visiting Oxburgh Hall with kids, is that they’re busy uncovering more secrets every day.

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At the National Trust property in Norfolk, a fabulous moated house with gardens and woodland just south of King’s Lynn and around an hour from Norwich, there’s been a major £6 million restoration programme going on.

That means that most of the house was tucked away under scaffolding during our visit – a whopping 440 tonnes of it, which would stretch over 31 miles if you laid it out – although you can still explore inside… and even better there’s a case showing some of the new discoveries they’ve made so far.

The work began after a dormer window fell off (leading to the discovery that all these later additions were in danger of doing the same, which made the restoration project pretty well essential), and some the most exciting finds so far include a 15th century illuminated manuscript, a 16th century prayer book and Tudor fabrics.

While they aren’t all on display – although there’s more detail on the website – you can also see plenty of royal links from the turbulent history of the Catholic Bedingfeld family which owned the house since it was built in 1482.

Kings and Queens have stayed here, starting with Henry VII, with the King’s Room named after him. The Bedingfeld family was among the first to support Mary I too; you can see a letter signed ‘Marye the quene’, thought to be the first time she called herself that.

They were in such royal favour, that they were twice entrusted with the care of high-ranking ‘guests’, keeping Catherine of Aragon, and later the future Elizabeth I under house arrest – although not actually at Oxburgh Hall itself.

When Elizabeth herself came to the throne, it marked the beginning of harder times as the family was persecuted for its faith, only briefly returning to royal favour with Charles I, before Oxburgh Hall was ransacked and partly burned down during the Civil War.

As you explore, you can spot a secret door in the library and there’s also a priest hole concealed beneath a trap door in the garderobe.

You can also spot scissors belonging to Mary Queen of Scots (well, probably belonging to her) and a letter signed by Elizabeth’s spymaster Francis Walsingham, plus an intricately engraved glass with Jacobite symbols.

Currently on loan at Oxburgh Hall, the third baronet is thought to have been part of the Jacobite rebellion to overthrow George II.

And that’s just the items on display: while Oxburgh has all but fallen into ruin several times over the centuries, it was given a new lease of life by various owners, including some amazing embossed leather wallpaper on the walls by the stairs.

I was in history geek heaven, basically – and my daughter was pretty fascinated too, wandering past the fabulous furniture and portairs galore. Even if she thinks anyone in a powdered wig is one of the King Georges…

For now, the ongoing work means you can’t visit all the rooms (or the roof!): some are inaccessible, others are currently storing contents from the attics while the restoration is taking place, but there was still plenty to see. And a good excuse to come back…

And there were still the grounds and gardens to explore, with ideas for a nature trail if you’re visiting Oxburgh Hall with kids.

We set off along the path into the woodland, ticking off the otter statue, red admiral butterfly and oak tree from our list (along with a bonus bat sculpture) before strolling through the formal gardens.

You won’t find the long estate walks of other Norfolk National Trust sites like Blickling Hall, but it’s easy to while away a few hours, checking out the reflection of the house in its moat from all angles and eating our picnic, and you could play pooh sticks or build a den in the woods too.

As we soaked up the peace in the sunshine, it was hard to believe how much drama Oxburgh Hall has seen in the past five centuries. I couldn’t help wondering what other ancient secrets might still lie hidden.

Need to know: Oxburgh Hall with kids

Entry to Oxburgh Hall is free for National Trust members or costs from £12 for adults otherwise. Click here to buy tickets. Parking is free.

Because of the ongoing renovation work, not all the rooms may be open, so do check before you visit. Needless to say, you can’t currently climb up to the roof. The work is due to be completed in autumn 2021.

There are two places to eat at Oxburgh Hall with kids, including the Servants Hall tea room (currently closed) and the Pantry cafe.

There is baby-changing in the garden toilets.

Oxburgh Hall is in Oxborough , around 30 minutes’ drive from the north Norfolk coast, and approximately an hour from Norwick – for more ideas of things to do in Norwich with kids, check out my pick of the best for families in the city.

One of several National Trust sites in Norfolk, including Blickling Estate and Felbrigg, I’ve also rounded up more ideas of things to do in Norfolk with kids for all ages if you’re combining a day out at Oxburgh Hall with the Norfolk seaside as well as ideas of things to do in Norfolk in the rain with kids.

PIN FOR LATER: VISITING OXBURGH HALL WITH KIDS

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