Somerleyton has been owned and managed by the Crossley family since 1863 when Sir Francis bought the estate from his fellow industrialist friend Sir Morton Peto.

   At this time the estate was nearly 7500 acres including land to the east in Flixton, Blundeston and Lound and, to the north, towards Belton Browston, Caldecott and St Olaves as well as extensive marshes to the west of the river Waveney. 

   The estate has reduced over the generations to the 5000 acres it is today. The present Lord Somerleyton managed the estate for 45 years until 2003 and it is great credit to him and the long-serving employees that so much of the integrity of the estate survives despite the great socio-economic changes since the Second World war.

   Somerleyton stands on the site of an earlier Jacobean manor house, but the house we see today is unmistakably early Victorian. Sir Morton Peto, a self-made entrepreneur carried out the transformation of Somerleyton to this extravagant mansion between 1844 and 1851, after he had purchased the estate. No expense was spared, paintings were specially commissioned for the house, and the gardens and grounds were completely redesigned.

   For the work on Somerleyton Sir Morton employed John Thomas, a protégé of Sir Charles Barry and Prince Albert, as architect. The remodelling of the old house was so extensive as to render it almost unrecognisable. Thomas was primarily a sculptor and ornamental mason who worked for seventeen years on the Houses of Parliament. His best-known work was perhaps the two huge lions on the Britannia Bridge across the Menai Straits. As architect, John Thomas also rebuilt Somerleyton's St. Mary's Church (except the tower) and the thirty-five romantic thatched cottages around Somerleyton village green.

   Projecting wings flank the courtyard, there is an Italianate Victorian campanile tower which once held a smoking-room-cum-observatory and from which one can see the sea and St. Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. A clock designed by Vulliamy of the famous clock-making family dominates the courtyard.

   The front is both impressive and romantic. Between the two wings is a connecting stone screen in French Renaissance style with most elaborate carving. The gable ends of the two wings incorporate the old Dutch gables of the original Hall.

   The lavish Winter Garden, which was largely dismantled in 1914, was a famous feature - a gigantic, ornate iron and glass construction by Sir Joseph Paxton. Peto's redesigned Hall was completed in 1851, but sadly Sir Morton could not enjoy it for long. By 1861, he was in serious financial difficulty and was forced to put the entire estate up for sale in order to help meet his debts, which amounted to £4 million. However, it was not until 1863 that the Somerleyton estate was bought by Sir Francis Crossley, Bt, of Halifax.

   Today the family company-farms 2500 acres in-hand while a further 1000 acres is tenanted to four long standing farm tenants. The in-hand farm grows cereals, including malting barley especially for the Adnams Brewery in Southwold, sugar beet and specialises in high quality potatoes for supermarkets - winning the National Growers Cup in 2002. The farm also runs a 140 head suckler herd of beef cattle and is slowly building up a herd of organic Welsh Black cattle (in honour of the current Lady Somerleyton's Welsh ancestry) and a flock of Norfolk Horn sheep. We will aim to supply both the hotel and the pub with our own produce where we can and, from 2007,  the meat will be available to purchase from some The Manor - our farm shop.

   The estate is in the government's 'Countryside Stewardship Scheme' which promotes wildlife and natural environment. As part of this scheme the estate has re-generated heath which formerly part of Suffolk's ancient heathland, planted miles of hedgerows and trees as well as planting wild bird mixes sown in place of crops to provide food and habitat for native song birds In conjunction with the Broads Authority, the estate has improved public access across Herringfleet Hills - opening up superb views across the Waveney valley and created walks to Smock Mill for people to enjoy. - Contact us here: Click Here

   The estate is currently working with their FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group) adviser on a brand new wildlife scheme for 2008 when a new scheme comes into force. The estate is equally committed to its commercial farming operation and its very high standard of environmental stewardship. Even now the estate is home to the grey partridge, barn owls, marsh harriers, lapwings, skylarks and many other native birds, as well as hares and both Red and fallow deer.

   If you are interested in learning more about the estate's farming and conservation policies please feel free to email Chris Lockhart the farm manager - Contact us here: Click Here

   The estate owns and manages over 120 residential and commercial properties. While many of the residents have lived and worked on the estate for generations there is also a new market in local commuters and families with children who go to Somerleyton primary school. Over the years Lord Somerleyton has restored and modernised not only the Hall but also nearly all of these properties as well as many old and magnificent thatched barns which are as important to the landscape as round towered churches. If you are interested in renting property on the estate.
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   Somerleyton Estate is a significant local-employer with over 100 employees on the payroll at peak season and 40 full time employees. While many staff were born and grew up here an increasing number have moved into the area seeking the unique rural environment that a traditional working estate can offer. The estate is proud of its company and are ambitious for the future particularly in the hospitality sector, so if you are ambitious and seeking a new opportunity please watch the news tab on the front page of our website for opportunities. - Contact us here: Click Here