Mannington Hall, Medieval country house in Itteringham, England.
Mannington Hall is a 15th-century manor house in Itteringham, Norfolk, surrounded by a moat on all sides. The building features towers and mullioned windows, with a layout that reflects the defensive priorities of the period in which it was built.
The house was built around 1460 by William Lumnor, who obtained oak timber from John Paston for its construction. In the 18th century, Horace Walpole, 2nd Earl of Orford, made substantial changes to the property, shaping much of what visitors see today.
The rose garden is divided into sections, each dedicated to a different period in the history of rose cultivation. Walking through them feels like moving through time, with older varieties grown just as they would have been centuries ago.
The gardens open to visitors from May through September, while the paths around the grounds can be walked year-round. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as paths can be uneven or muddy depending on the weather.
Hidden within woodland to the southwest of the house are the ruins of an 11th-century church that most visitors never notice. Nearby, a collection of ancient inscriptions gathered by Horace Walpole has been set into the walls of the estate, making the grounds something of an open-air display.
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