Editing Somerleyton

{{Short description|Village in Suffolk, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name            = Somerleyton
| country                  = England
| region                   = East of England
| static_image_name        = Somerleyton_5.JPG
| static_image_alt         = 
| static_image_caption     = [[Somerleyton Hall]]
| area_total_sq_mi         = 
| area_total_km2           = 5.5
| area_footnotes           = <ref name=she>[https://heritage.suffolk.gov.uk/media/pdfs/somerleyton.pdf Somerleyton], Suffolk Heritage Explorer, [[Suffolk County Council]]. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref>
| population               = 300
| population_ref           = (2011 est.)<ref name=ash>[http://www.ashvillages.org.uk/our-area/ Our area], ASH Villages, Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet parish council. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref>
| os_grid_reference        = TM485974
| map_type                 = 
| map_alt                  = 
| coordinates              = {{coord|52.518|1.661|dim:5000|display=inline,title}}
| label_position           = 
| post_town                = [[Lowestoft]]
| postcode_area            = NR
| postcode_district        = NR32
| dial_code                = 01502
| constituency_westminster = [[Lowestoft (UK Parliament constituency)|Lowestoft]]
| civil_parish             = [[Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet]]
| shire_district           = [[East Suffolk District|East Suffolk]]
| shire_county             = [[Suffolk]]
| website                  = 
| hide_services            = yes
}}
'''Somerleyton''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ʌ|m|ər|l|eɪ|t|ən}} {{respell|SUM|ər|lay|tən}}) is a village and former [[civil parish]], now in the parish of [[Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet]], in the [[East Suffolk (district)|East Suffolk]] district, in the north of the [[English county]] of [[Suffolk]]. It is {{convert|4.5|mi|km}} north-west of [[Lowestoft]] and {{convert|5.5|mi|km}} south-west of [[Great Yarmouth]]. The village is closely associated with [[Somerleyton Hall]] and was largely rebuilt as a [[model village]] in the 19th century at the direction of [[Samuel Morton Peto]]. The parish was combined with [[Herringfleet]] and [[Ashby, Suffolk|Ashby]] to create the parish of "Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet" on 1 April 1987.<ref name=she/><ref>[https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/12764/waveney-parishes-order-1987.pdf The Waveney (Parishes) Order 1987], [[Local Government Boundary Commission for England]]. Retrieved 25 January 2020.</ref>

The village is on the edge of [[The Broads]] national park with the [[River Waveney]] forming the western boundary of the former parish. This forms the county border with [[Norfolk]] and the Suffolk village of [[Blundeston]] is to the east. The village has a population of around 300.<ref name=ash/>

==History==
At the time of the [[Domesday Book]], the manor of Somerleyton was held by the [[William the Conqueror|king]]. It was named ''Sumerledetuna'' and was recorded as having 17 families living in the village.<ref name=she/><ref>[https://opendomesday.org/place/TM4997/somerleyton/ Somerleyton], Open Domesday. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref> The manor was owned by the Jernegan family from the early 14th century. The family built [[Somerleyton Hall]] in around 1579.<ref name=she/><ref name=suckling>[[Alfred Suckling|Suckling AI]] (1848) 'Somerleyton', in The History and Antiquities of the County of Suffolk: Volume 2, pp. 43–58. Barsham: Suckling. ([https://books.google.com/books?id=YvI9AQAAMAAJ  Available online] at Google Books. Retrieved 16 March 2021.)</ref>

The hall was bought by Sir Thomas Wentworth in the early 17th century and was substantially remodelled by the Wentworth family as a mansion house. This included a {{convert|52|ha|acre}} deer park which was established by 1652. The estate was occupied by [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian troops]] a number of times during the [[English Civil War|Civil War]] and was purchased by Admiral [[Sir Thomas Allin, 1st Baronet|Sir Thomas Allin]] in 1669. It remained in Allin's family until it was acquired by railway developer [[Samuel Morton Peto]], who oversaw the latest rebuilding in 1843. The hall and the park and gardens are Grade II* listed buildings.<ref name=she/><ref name=suckling/><ref name=hall>{{NHLE|num=1198046 |desc=Somerleyton Hall |accessdate=16 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=park>{{NHLE|num=1000188 |desc=Somerleyton Park|accessdate= 16 March 2021}}</ref>

Peto directed the rebuilding of the village at the same time, creating a [[model village]] based on [[Blaise Hamlet]] near [[Bristol]]. The development of both the hall and village was designed by [[John Thomas (sculptor)|John Thomas]].<ref name=hall/><ref>Stevens T (2015) [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/27225 Thomas, John], ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]''. {{subscription required}}</ref><ref>Port MH (2004) [https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/22042 Peto, Sir (Samuel) Morton, first baronet], ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]''. Retrieved 9 March 2021. {{subscription required}}</ref> The rebuilding process bankrupted Peto and the estate was sold to Sir [[Francis Crossley]], a carpet manufacturer from [[Halifax, West Yorkshire]]. The title of [[Baron Somerleyton]] was created for Crossley's son, [[Savile Crossley, 1st Baron Somerleyton|Savile]] in 1916.

A memorial to two airmen killed in a friendly fire incident during [[World War II]] is on Waddling Way, an un-metalled road east of the village which runs towards [[Flixton, Lothingland|Flixton]]. A [[Royal Air Force]] [[DeHavilland Mosquito]] nightfighter  being flown by two [[United States Navy|American Navy]] pilots was mistakenly shot down by British [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft fire]].<ref>McLachan I (1994) ''Final Flights''. Patrick Stephens Ltd. {{ISBN|978-1852601225}}</ref>

In the 1950s, [[Christopher Cockerell]] designed and tested the first [[hovercraft]] at his boatyard in the village. A column was erected in the village in 2010 on the 100th anniversary of Cockerell's birth.<ref>[https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/hovercraft-memorial-underway-7529840 Hovercraft memorial underway], ''[[East Anglian Daily Times]]'', 28 February 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/somerleyton-column-remembers-genius-1874616 Somerleyton column remembers genius], ''Great Yarmouth Mercury'', 7 June 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.</ref><ref>Wheeler RL (2009) [https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-72363 Cockerell, Sir Christopher Sydney], ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]''. Retrieved 14 March 2021. {{subscription required}}</ref>

In 1971 the civil parish had a population of 319.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10268217/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Somerleyton AP/CP through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=31 March 2024}}</ref>

==Somerleyton Hall==
[[File:Somerleyton Aerial.jpg|thumb|right|Somerleyton Hall]]
[[File:Somerleyton Hall - gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1506774.jpg|thumb|right|the Grade II* listed kitchen garden at Somerleyton Hall]]
{{main|Somerleyton Hall}}
The Victorian rebuilding of [[Somerleyton Hall]] created a mainly two-storey mansion, mainly in the [[Jacobean architecture|Jacobean style]]. It features a French Renaissance inspired [[loggia]] and a square [[belvedere (structure)|belvedere]] clock tower, although the house has a 17th-century core and some of the wood panelling from the original building has been reused internally. The rebuilding was led by [[Samuel Morton Peto]], who owned the estate in the 19th century, with the designs for the house the work of sculptor [[John Thomas (sculptor)|John Thomas]]. Thomas was also responsible for the designs for the rebuilding of the village and parish church. The clock was the work of [[Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy]].<ref name=hall/><ref name=park/><ref name=shhist>[https://www.somerleyton.co.uk/somerleyton-hall/history/ History], [[Somerleyton Hall]]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref>

The park surrounding the hall was established in the 17th century and expanded during Peto's ownership to one of {{convert|140|ha|acre}}. This included the building of a series of formal gardens designed by [[William Andrews Nesfield]] and includes a kitchen garden with glasshouses probably designed by [[Joseph Paxton]].<ref name=park/><ref name=shwg>[https://www.somerleyton.co.uk/gardens/walled-garden/ Walled Garden], [[Somerleyton Hall]]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref> The only other example of similar work by Paxton is at [[Chatsworth House]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1031936 |desc=Kitchen Garden of Somerleyton Hall|accessdate= 17 March 2021}}</ref> The park features two sculptures by Thomas and one by Gustav Natorp as well as a yew hedge maze.<ref name=park/><ref name=shgarden>[https://www.somerleyton.co.uk/gardens/ Somerleyton Gardens], [[Somerleyton Hall]]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref>

The house is the home of the Crossley family and both the house and grounds are open to the public as a tourist attraction.<ref>[https://www.visitengland.com/experience/experience-somerleyton-halls-romance-history-and-grandeur Experience Somerleyton Hall’s romance, history and grandeur], [[Visit England]]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref> The estate owns a wide range of assets throughout the local area, including the Somerleyton village pub and a country park at [[Fritton Lake]].<ref>[https://www.somerleyton.co.uk/contact/ Contact us], [[Somerleyton Hall]]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref>

==Culture and community==
[[File:Boats at Somerleyton Marina - geograph.org.uk - 1506149.jpg|thumb|right|Boats mored at Somerleyton Marina on the [[River Waveney]].]]
Somerleyton has a primary school, built as part of the development of the model village,<ref>{{NHLE|num=1284086 |desc=County Primary School|accessdate= 13 March 2021}}</ref> a village hall and playing field as well as a public house, the ''Dukes Head''.<ref name=hs>[https://www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/uploads/Somerleyton,_Ashby_and_Herringfleet-_Parish_Profile.pdf Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet], Healthy Suffolk, 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2021.</ref><ref>[https://suffolk.camra.org.uk/place/271 Somerleyton], Suffolk Pubs, Suffolk [[Campaign for Real Ale]]. Retrieved 13 March 2021.</ref><ref name=np>[http://lound.onesuffolk.net/assets/Uploads/Neighbourhood-Planning/Final-Draft.pdf Lound with Ashby, Herringfleet and Somerleyton Neighbourhood Plan], Lound Parish Council, 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2021.</ref> The Somerleyton Estate remains a major landowner throughout the surrounding area. Many of the houses in the village are listed buildings and development is restricted to preserve the period style of the village.<ref name=ash/><ref name=np/><ref name=plan155>[https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Your-Council/WDC-Council-Meetings/2019/March/Council-20-03-19/Item-11-APPENDIX-A-Waveney-Local-Plan.pdf Waveney Local Plan], [[Waveney District Council]], adopted 2019, published by [[East Suffolk District Council]], 2019, pp.155–159. Retrieved 10 February 2020.</ref><ref name=ca>[https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Planning/Design-and-Conservation/Conservation-Area-Appraisals/Somerleyton-Conservation-Area-Character-Appraisal-with-Management-Plan.pdf Somerleyton Conservation Area: Character Appraisal], [[Waveney District Council]], 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref>

The [[Wherry Lines|Lowestoft to Norwich railway line]] runs through the parish close to the Waveney, crossing the river at [[Somerleyton Swing Bridge]]. [[Somerleyton railway station]] on the edge of the village has operated since 1847.<ref name=she/> The lines passes close to Cockerell's boatyard, Somerleyton Marina, and the site of the former Somerleyton brickworks which produced bricks for the buildings such as [[Liverpool Street railway station]]. The brickworks closed in 1939 and the chimneys were subsequently demolished.<ref name=hs/><ref name=np/><ref name=ca/>

==Church of St Mary==
[[File:Somerleyton eglise ext.jpg|thumb|right|The church of St Mary.]]
The parish church is dedicated to St Mary and stands in Somerleyton Park close to the hall. The building retains a 15th-century tower but was otherwise rebuilt at Peto's direction, the design again completed by Thomas. The rebuilding process discovered a medieval stone slab with the symbols of the [[Four Evangelists]] beneath the floor boards. It is presumed to have been hidden during the [[English Reformation|Reformation]] and has been replaced over the south doorway. The [[rood screen]] and [[baptismal font]] both date from the 15th century, the former with 16 panels with paintings of saints. The building is a Grade II* listed building.<ref name=lc>{{NHLE|num=1183419 |desc=Church of St Mary|accessdate= 16 March 2021}}</ref><ref name=sc>Knott S (2008) [http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/somerley.htm St Mary, Somerleyton], Suffolk Churches. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref>

==In literature and television==
The [[BBC]]'s ''[[Antiques Roadshow]]'' took place at Somerleyton Hall in 2009, with selected excerpts to form a one-hour broadcast in 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120322015158/http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/whatson/latest_news.php BBC ONE’s Antiques Roadshow visits Somerleyton Hall], Somerleyton Estate. Archived 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2013.</ref> An episode of Roald Dahl's [[Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)|Tales of the Unexpected]] TV series was filmed at Somerleyton Hall in 1979,<ref>James D (2019) [https://www.edp24.co.uk/lifestyle/when-anglia-s-tales-toppled-bbcs-footie-favourite-1343578 Unexpected victory: When Anglia’s Tales toppled BBC’s footie favourite], ''[[Eastern Daily Press]]'', 25 January 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2021.</ref> and the house was used as a stand in for [[Sandringham House]] in the 2003 television drama ''[[The Lost Prince]]''.<ref>[https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/suffolk-stately-home-has-starring-role-1-58311 Suffolk stately home has starring role], ''[[East Anglian Daily Times]]'', 18 January 2003. Retrieved 24 February 2010.</ref> The house was used for the same purpose in the 2020 series ''[[The Crown (TV series)|The Crown]]''.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-55062901 The Crown: Somerleyton Hall is transformed into Sandringham], [[BBC News]], 26 November 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref>

The house and the maze, where the narrator becomes lost, feature prominently in [[W. G. Sebald]]'s 1995 novel-memoir ''[[The Rings of Saturn]]''.<ref>Doyle RB (2011) [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/travel/24footsteps.html Footsteps: Rambling With W. G. Sebald in East Anglia], ''[[The New York Times]]'', 22 April 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2021.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Somerleyton}}

{{East Suffolk}}
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[[Category:Villages in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Waveney District]]