History

Happisburgh Manor certainly has a long and colourful history. Known locally at ‘St. Marys’, it is believed to be the first ‘fully worked’ example of a four-winged butterfly plan house.  This means it has a central core with four wings projecting diagonally to look like a giant butterfly from above.

This unusual design uses light in the best way possible and as the house occupies a commanding position, you also have wonderful views over the surrounding countryside, coastline and down to the sea.

Happisburgh Manor was designed by Detmar Jellings Blow in close collaboration with Ernest Gimson for Albemarle Cator, head of a prominent local family. Blow & Gimson, following the style of the Arts & Crafts movement, used only local materials such as flint, pebble, brick, thin tiles and Norfolk reed for the thatched roof, which is the largest domestic thatched roof in East Anglia and possibly in the UK.

In December 1941, Happisburgh Manor suffered bomb damage when a 500kg bomb was dropped, killing two and wounding ten. The house itself had considerable damage to the rear and one wing was demolished, however, this part of the house has since been restored and refurbished to its former glory.