Ulting Hall

Manor house, dating from the 16th century or earlier, with substantial later additions and alterations, most notably a fine hall, staircase, and study dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The building is timber-framed with rough rendering, under red plain tiled roofs. Two rear chimney stacks are of red brick, one with a diagonal shaft and the other a square cross plan. The house is two storeys high, with attics and a cellar, and has a complex plan, now incorporating a central stairwell and a number of gabled rear wings.

The windows are tripartite, small-paned, vertically sliding sashes (single-light internally), with a central single-light window on the first floor. The central double doors have glazing bars to the top lights, reveal panels, imposts, and a keystone to a moulded segmental arched surround.

Internally, portions of the original timber frame are exposed, showing heavy studs, side girts, and top plates related to an early roof raise. The two large brick chimney stacks contain later fireplaces. A thick, round-headed archway of painted brick, cutting through an old chimney stack, leads from a rear room to a store room.

The circa 1800 hall features five molded modillions, anthemion and palmette moulding to the cornices, molded wainscots, and architraves. Six-panelled doors lead to a circular stairwell, containing a stick staircase with a wreathed handrail and open string. A tall alcove is present, along with three curved and panelled doors with molded surrounds to the walls of the circular stairwell. The vaulted dome, with glazing bars, has a pointed stained glass finial. Tuscan columns at the rear of the hall support the first-floor stage, with molded capitals and bases. The study is panelled, with an arcade of two columns featuring foliate capitals, before a recessed round-headed window with panelled side cupboards. A fine Adam-style fireplace is included, as are false panelled shutters to the front window. Forget-me-not and Lily of the Valley moldings appear on the cornice. A bedroom includes molded wardrobes and drawers, while a molded mirror surround and panelling are found in the games room. A drawing room, and one bedroom, feature large bow windows. The dairy has a stone flag floor, and a pump is in the kitchen. The large cellar consists of several builds with vaulted arches to one bay and a brick floor throughout.

Documentary research suggests the manor was held by Hecen in 1066, followed by the Bainards, Fitzgilberts, Fitzwalters, De Ultings, Bourchiers and Parrs, passing to Thomas Heneage in 1626, and subsequently to Voice, Nethercoat, Gower, and Nicholson by 1874.