Sharsted Court

Sharsted Court is a country house in Newnham with a medieval core that was later expanded with an 18th-century brick front. The structure retains original oak beams and was modified repeatedly over centuries to meet the needs of different owners.

The estate began around 1080 under Odo of Bayeux and later passed through several English families including the Shrsteds, Bournes, Delaunes, and Wades. Each owner left traces in the building's architecture and layout.

The interior blends medieval design with later additions, showing how people modified their homes across generations to suit changing needs. Visitors can observe the mix of styles that accumulated as successive owners adapted the space.

Access is through wrought iron gates leading to maintained grounds with a topiary maze and mature trees on the property. The layout features varying levels and irregular passages, so planning time to explore different sections is helpful.

The house features an unusually shaped staircase and a hidden passage connecting different sections of the building. These concealed features reveal practical needs and secrets of past inhabitants.