Woolverstone Heritage Trail
This is a story about people and their part in the development of the Woolverstone Park estate. But it is also a story about places. There are eighteen listed structures in Woolverstone, a lot for a village of around 260 souls. This guide shows their place and why Woolverstone is worthy of Conservation Area status.
Follow the Woolverstone Heritage Trail virtually or on foot and discover many historic buildings
Built in 1776 for William Berners. Architect John Johnson. Later modified by Thomas Hopper in 1823. Constructed in Woolpit brick and Portland stone, with Coade ornamentation. Landscaped by William Nesfield between 1858 and 1862.
Rectangular with central courtyard. Reputedly the site of the early manor house. Tudor bricks from an earlier building can be seen to the sides. Woolpit brick and Portland stone façade. Surmounted by a Victorian water tower.
Built c.1307. Tower – septaria and flint C15. Porch C15. Extended 1832, with north aisle, transept and vestry. Chancel rebuilt, 1866. Extended 1889, with addition of a new nave and vestry.
Built in 1870. Similar to dairy at Easton. Creamery said to be modelled on Sandringham. Originally two cottages, with creamery at the northern end.
Built 1860. One of two lodges that marked the entrances to the estate. Yellow and red brick with ashlar banding. Originally with pillars and wrought iron gates. The second lodge, Monkey Lodge, can be found on Freston Hill. Built 1861. Possibly designed by William Eden Nesfield.
Originally built as single room c.1832, rebuilt in 1871 and extended in 1889. Typical Suffolk patterning, red clay tiles with black stripes, can still just be seen on the roof. Buttresses added in 20th century.
Built late C18. Part of Park Farm covering 8 acres. Large walled garden area for production of fruit, flowers and vegetables for the Hall.
Red brick. Built late C19. Replaced earlier rectory nearer the church, now the site of the Dairy House. The Old Barn and The Forge are the last remaining buildings from the former Estate Yard.
Built in 1887 by Capt. Hugh Berners to provide accommodation for widows from the estate. Note the monkeys on each end of the roof. There is a central plaque with the Berners’ crest and motto. “Del Fuego Io Avola” – he saves from fire – which is part of the Berners’ story
Hall built c.1888 by Capt. Hugh Berners. It was first used as a temporary church while St Michael’s was being extended and then became the Reading Room, Parish Room and, later, our village hall. War memorial dedicated in 1920.
Built c.1836. Red brick with mullioned windows. Complex range of farm buildings.
Designed by Edwin Lutyens and built c. 1902. Originally known as St Peter’s Home, a house of rest for the Sisters of St Peter’s Community. Garden possibly designed by Gertrude Jeykll.
Built c.1579 by Thomas Goodynge. Purpose unknown. 6 storeys. Red brick with blue diapered patterning, similar to our church porch.
Built c.1793 on site of previous chapel. Famous for a link with smugglers. A white cat, of various types, was supposed to be placed in the window when the coast was clear of Excise Men.
Built c.1839 as accommodation for the estate’s Head Gardener. The thatch was replaced over twenty years ago.