Aldeburgh Hall

Aldeburgh Hall

Aldeburgh Manor is mentioned in the doomsday book as the residence of Wulfric, Soakman of Eadrick of Laxfield. The current buildings were created after it became a part of Snape Priory in 1150 AD, and Wolsey obtained the religious house in 1527. The main buildings date from 1530s, and were held by the Dukes of Essex and Suffolk (Howard Family) until 1609, when it was purchased by the Burghers of Aldeburgh. Aldeburgh Hall appear on a map of the 1580s in the British Library as the site of a watermill and the Aldeburgh boat building yard. Many famous ships were built in the 16th and 17th C here, including possibly the Pelican (Golden Hind), Marigold, Sea Venture and the Mayflower. The latter is mentioned in the Suffolk records as a whaler used on the Aldeburgh to Iceland route in 1609. To celebrate this ancient history the house was repaired and the large hall and 16th C fireplace redecorated, the new extensions were designed to provide additional accommodation on the footprint of the Great Barns that burnt down in the 1960s.  The ship shaped timbers recall the site's history as a boat yard and the boat shed its site on the river bank up to the 19th C.  The pool is located where the riverbank was once located.  The oak frame recalls the traditional building techniques of the Snape and Aldeburgh Priory, the remains of which still can be found in Snape Abbey farm.  The link between the old and new was achieved with a low link that contains the kitchens. The history of the site can be seen in the varied remains found loose in the garden.

CLIENT
Aldeburgh Hall
YEAR
2018-19
Aldeburgh Hall viewed from old river bank
View of boat shed and new timber frame buildings
View of Aldeburgh hall reflected in pool where old river bank was located.
Medieval Pottery, 18th C Pipes, 19th C Willow ware and animal bones from garden
1580 Map of Aldeburgh in British Library showing Aldeburgh hall beside water mill and Boatyard
Ship shaped timbers in new timber frame Hall
Interior of link between Medieval buildings and new timber buildings with kitchen
Medieval Hall with 16th C fireplace
Kitchen link and rooflight
View of river and boat shed
Timber frame in new hall under construction
Sliding doors to Boat Shed and View of pool and old river bank
Timber frame buildings in location of Great Barns destroyed in 1960
Kitchen link