Holt Hall is on the market after two years of uncertainty around its future.

Before it closed, it was the second-largest provider of outdoor learning residential stays and learning day visits in Norfolk. In 2019, more than 50 schools took trips to Holt Hall.

Eastern Daily Press: The driveThe drive (Image: Savills)

In December 2020, Norfolk County Council (NCC) made the decision to close and sell the hall, having been visited by generations of schoolchildren.

John Fisher, cabinet member for NCC's children's services, said: "The statistics do not warrant the extra expenditure...Norfolk schools, certainly some of the schools from more deprived areas, are not attending Holt Hall."

Eastern Daily Press: The formal gardensThe formal gardens (Image: Savills)

The decision was met with public outcry, with Friends of Holt Hall saying the council was "determined to end public leadership in outdoor learning, and leave provision to 'the market'."

The hall went on the market yesterday, October 26.

Eastern Daily Press: The pondThe pond (Image: Savills)

NCC has expressed its wishes to have the hall remain as an education centre, rather than becoming a residential home.

As part of the application process, people will be asked what they want to do with the hall and this will infer their decision.

Eastern Daily Press: New woods will be planted across Suffolk to help people reflect on the pandemic. Stock photoNew woods will be planted across Suffolk to help people reflect on the pandemic. Stock photo (Image: Savills)

This choice to retain the hall's history as an educational facility will hopefully set many's fears aside.

The Victorian mansion is Grade-II listed and set across 86 acres, with formal gardens, parkland, grazing land, and woodland which contains clearings for camping.

Eastern Daily Press: The clearing for campingThe clearing for camping (Image: Savills)

The hall also has a former coach house, stables, and other historic outbuildings. These have been converted into a teaching block.

There is then a lake surrounded by mature trees, partially ancient broadleaf with some hornbeams and oak.

Eastern Daily Press: A set of stairs in the main houseA set of stairs in the main house (Image: Savills)

The house itself is around 15,642 square feet and was built in the 1840s and extended in the 1860s. The previous hall had a chapel and was demolished.

The estate was sold in lots in 1946 following the death of the owner. The Norfolk Education Committee ran the site as a boarding school from 1950 to 1972, and in 1973 it became a field study centre.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the rooms used to teachOne of the rooms used to teach (Image: Savills)

PROPERTY FACTS

Kelling Road, Holt

Guide Price: Available upon application

Savills, 01603 229229, www.savills.com

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