Gawdy Estate

In the late 16th century, the Gawdy family built a grand Elizabethan red-brick hall on higher ground, with tall gables, mullioned windows, and wide country views.

From 1662 to 1688, the estate passed from the Gawdy family to the Wigans and later the Ives, during which time the house was partly rebuilt, its Elizabethan character adapted to Restoration-era tastes; the Gawdys, noted for their legal expertise, Crown service, and substantial landholdings, were among Norfolk’s most respected gentry.

Gawdy Hall’s parkland was reshaped into a naturalistic Georgian landscape of lawns, sweeping drives, and ornamental planting, with early maps showing tree-lined  avenues and serpentine water features that formed the picturesque setting  still seen today; this transformation echoed the work of visionary designers like Lancelot “Capability” Brown, whose sweeping parkland style defined the harmonious English landscapes of the Georgian era.

The estate was sold at auction in 1938 to Jean Henri Tresfon, Chairman of the Norwich-based firm Boulton & Paul. In 1939, Tresfon built the South African style lodge as a temporary replacement for the demolished hall—and it became his residence thereafter.

Today, Gawdy Estate, a sister estate to Courteenhall, spans 611 hectares of arable land, woodland, and parkland. It blends historic character with regenerative land management, supporting wildlife through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Rare breed sheep improve soil health, while work with the Waveney Valley Cluster Farm enhances biodiversity and water quality — creating a resilient, thriving landscape for future generations.