Latest News from Somerleyton...

Diane Von Furstenburg Launched at Somerleyton Hall by Collen & Clare, Southwold

Southwold fashion business celebrates its 10th anniversary with the glamorous launch of a global luxury brand at Suffolk family seat.

The historic panelled rooms of Somerleyton Hall were the stunning backdrop for a glamorous salon show held last night (Weds Feb 29) to celebrate the first decade of the destination fashion boutique Collen and Clare and their success in securing the summer 2012 collections from the global luxury brand Diane Von Furstenberg.

It is a real coup for Vanessa Collen and Clare Grady who together founded the Southwold boutique and have brought some of the leading fashion and style brands to the area, as well as created a loyal customer base many of whom had turned out.

Greeted by the girls on arrival with champagne and canapés created by the Somerleyton team, guests moved into the ballroom for the show which pulsed with a 1970s soundtrack of songs featuring New York, the birthplace of the famous wrap dress, as professional models modelled more than 40 outfits featuring key themes of the season - all of which were on sale in a  specially created pop-up retail space in the library.

“We felt it was time this real iconic brand came to Southwold. DVF is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is real New York glamour, so what better time for us to stock the collection,” said Clare.

“DVF is known for her signature printed silk wrap dress that goes from day to night and we are delighted to say that we will be stocking some of the vintage styles as well as other pieces demonstrating the versatility of the collection. We also are the first regional boutique to stock the DVF fragrance which until today was exclusive to Harrods and which our guests sampled during the event.”

Lara Somerleyton from Somerleyton Hall said: “Somerleyton Hall provides a wonderful backdrop to the clothing, I feel sure that the rooms will be flattered by the DVF dresses and we hope we can reciprocate by providing a grand setting for them.”

Somerleyton scoops regional awards...

Congratulations to the team at Somerleyton Hall for winning a raft of prestigious awards this season.

After winning the Best in Suffolk Archant Award the Hall & Gardens went on to be joint runners up at the Regional East of England Tourism Awards at Ickworth, to be voted one of the best three small attractions in Eastern England is a fantastic and well deserved achievement.

The Hall and Gardens were also thrilled to have won this year’s Best Tourist Attraction on the Sunrise Coast Award, making it a hat trick year for the team.

Although just over the border the Hall & Gardens were also one of the three finalists at the EDP 2010 Best Small Tourist Attractions in Norfolk Awards held at the Holiday inn in Norwich so this has definitely been a season to remember !!

Further information

Read more on the Tourism in Suffolk website.

BBC ONE’s Antiques Roadshow visits Somerleyton Hall

BBC One’s ever popular Antiques Roadshow, filmed at Somerleyton Hall in September 2009, is provisionally scheduled to be broadcast in March 2010. Please check here for confirmation of the exact date nearer the time.

This will be presenter Fiona Bruce’s second year with the Roadshow and she says, “Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch. Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the 'what's it worth? moment. The AR isn't just about antiques - it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.'

Some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists were on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who were invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

The last series, watched by an average of over seven and half million viewers, included a glass vase bought for a £1 which later sold for £36,000, rare watercolours by an important American artist found on a tip, and that maquette of the Angel of the North valued at £1million. So it’s no wonder that the team couldn’t wait to get going and unearth more treasures from around the country.

For further information press can contact:
Olwen Gillespie, Antiques Roadshow,     
antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk
Tel: 0117 974 2395

Estate Larder Survey - we want your views...

At Somerleyton we are developing our larder of locally produced foods with a view to offer a range of products to the community. Please let us know which items would be of interest to you by completing our very quick online survey - it only takes a minute!

Take the survey

Marco Pierre White visits Somerleyton and Fritton House for his ‘Great British Feast’ series.

As acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White journeys the UK to find the best ingredients and recipes for his Great British Feast, it’s no surprise that the historic Somerleyton Estate on the Norfolk/Suffolk border has become his latest port of call

Marco and his team visited Somerleyton to shoot an episode featuring wild food from the country’s larder. With the help of Estate gamekeeper, Arthur Whymark and deer warden, Mark Burrage, Marco created a new dish of Squirrel with Walnuts, featuring fresh seasonal ingredients from the estate – including a few resident squirrels of course!

Marco commented: “I was surprised to discover that squirrel is considered a delicacy in certain parts of the UK and quite widely eaten - having tried it I can see why. We tend to be squeamish about eating this small mammal but, when you think about it, it’s no different to eating rabbit.”

The Somerleyton visit and squirrel dish, cooked in the Fritton House kitchens is featured in the next episode, showing on ITV1 on 16th July. The recipe can also be found on the ITV website. Somerleyton enjoys an enviable reputation for fine food, both in terms of the Estate’s produce and the exciting menus at award-winning hotel Fritton House and the nearby gastro-pub, the Dukes’ Head.

Woodland Lodges featured in 'Grazia' magazine

We are happy to report that our Woodland lodges at Fritton lake were recently featured in Grazia magazine as this month's Hot Travel Trend!

• Read the full article (pdf, 500k)

Spooky Fund Raiser at Somerleyton

Forty fearless phantom finders were greeted by some spooky goings on at a charity haunted house night at Somerleyton Hall.

Radio Broadland hosted the event with TV psychic investigator Lizzie Falconer and historian Nick Barratt.

The intrepid ghost hunters witnessed plenty of spooky activity including slamming doors, strange lights and whispering voices heard at the historic Hall.

The honourable Hugh Crossley said, “The night was a fantastic success with everyone having a great time. Most importantly, the spooky evening raised over £5,000 for local children’s charities.”

In the press - media quotes

“The house has been beautifully restored and converted”
– Condé Nast Traveller, January 2007

“On his family’s farming estate, Hugh Crossley has turned a 16th-century inn into a relaxing, contemporary hotel and restaurant, with fresh flowers everywhere. Interesting artwork, comfy sofas, a lounge with a large fireplace and good meals using estate produce.” – The Sunday Times, December 2006 – “Ten hotels on the way up. There’s a new run in stylish, good-value boltholes”
– Financial Times How to spend it magazine, December 2006

“It has been transformed into a particularly smart boutique hotel”
– Eastern Daily Press, August 2006

“The distinctive bedrooms are luxuriously furnished to the nth degree with all of them boasting individual design and layout. But one thing they all commonly enjoy is wonderful panoramic views of the adjoining parkland. It’s an enviable pastoral setting and a jewel in the estate’s crown. I found the restaurant a quality establishment from head to toe and one that I felt very relaxed and comfortable in.”
– Norwich Evening News, July 2006

“The rooms are wonderful - the hotel has an emphasis on taking good care of its guests and this is underlined by the quality of the food offered in the bar and restaurant. An ideal location for all ages and a welcome refuge from the frantic pace of modern life”
– East Magazine, August 2006