Before County Hall there was Bracondale Lodge - a talk and tour
Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2DQ
County Hall was built on the southern outskirts of Norwich in 1966. Before that, the site was the country retreat of Dr Philip Meadows Martineau, a prominent Norwich surgeon and the uncle of the writer and abolitionist Harriet Martineau. He built a villa here for his family and had the surrounding woods and parkland designed by the landscape architect Humphry Repton.
While Bracondale Lodge (aka Bracondale Woods) was demolished completely, aspects of Repton’s parkland remain unchanged.
Come hear about the history of Bracondale Lodge and its inhabitants in this illustrated talk. Then join a guided tour of the grounds to look for signs of Repton’s original design (optional and weather permitting).
This event is hosted by ‘Hall Marks: the long shadows of Norfolk’s lost country houses’. This project is investigating the enduring legacy of Norfolk’s lost country houses and their estates. It is made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Timings
- Thursday 17 September:
- 1000-1230
Location & directions
Norfolk Record Office, The Archive Centre, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2DQ
- Contact on day:
- Dr Andrew Tullett
- Telephone number:
- +441603223624
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Free event, but booking essential. Please book using Eventbrite.
- Booking website:
- https://BracondaleLodge.eventbrite.co.uk
- Alternative booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/before-county-hall-there-was-bracondale-lodge-a-talk-and-tour-tickets-1990477706402?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Booking opens:
- 26 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Accessibility details
The talk will be fully accessible to wheelchair users. The tour of the site may include some sections where wheelchair access may not be possible.
Additional information
There will be a display of archives related to Bracondale Lodge for participants to view following the presentation.
- Max number of people:
- 30
- Estimated duration:
- 2 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
