A home in East Anglia bursting with character, with grand gardens, open plan living space and its own moat
Perhaps you never realised that you needed a moat. But now that you know there are houses out there which have them, that little voice in the back of your head is calling to you.

An Englishman’s home may be his castle, but there are some features of the average castle which nobody needs. A dungeon, for example — why would you want a cellar designed to bedark, damp and unpleasant to be in? And, frankly, raising a portcullis every time you wanted to drive into the garage would be an endless faff.
But there’s something about the idea of having a moat which can’t help but make you grin. And that particular piece of medieval design is one of the features of Kirk Hall.
The bulk of the house, which lies in the heart of Norfolk lies, isn’t medieval at all, but rather an attractive Grade II-listed family home which dates from about 1840 — with various later additions, such as the main façade — that’s on the market for £1.15 million via Savills.
It’s situated a short drive from Thetford Forest (the largest lowland pine forest in Britain), and there is no doubt that the magnificent grounds of Kirk Hall take inspiration from the East Anglian landscape in which they lie.
The house is surrounded on all sides by formal lawned areas that fade away into shrubs, herbaceous borders, orchards and woodland underplanted with spring bulbs.
As well as featuring a moat around some of the property, Kirk Hall also features its own lake.
Nature follows you inside, with exposed oak beams throughout the 4,000sq ft property, while there are fine views of the gardens from the dining area in the open-plan space which incorporates most of the living, eating and sitting space, beautifully-framed beneath the distinctive vaulted ceiling by a full height window.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
There are several more formal rooms are to the front of the house, including elegant dining and drawing room — both double aspect — with the latter having a rectangular bay with delightful window seat looking out the moat.
There's also a large office, spacious utility and boot room, while upstairs there are either four or five bedrooms, depending on how you choose to arrange things.
Kirk Hall is on the market for £1.15 million via Savills — see more pictures and details.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
I wanna quiz like common people: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 16, 2025
Important notes about names, Pulp, world records, and moon landings make up Monday's quiz
By Country Life Published
-
'One of the 10 most perfect houses in Britain' has come to the market at £9.5 million
Penny Churchill looks at the magical Maperton House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'One of the 10 most perfect houses in Britain' has come to the market at £9.5 million
Penny Churchill looks at the magical Maperton House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
17 outstanding homes for sale across Britain, from under £250k to £6.5 million, as seen in Country Life
Something for every budget in this week's round up of homes across the country that have come to market via Country Life.
By Toby Keel Published
-
An utterly charming island home in Scotland with gardens so beautiful they made the cover of Country Life
An Cala on the Isle of Seil has a fascinating history that is only enhanced by its amazing setting.
By James Fisher Published
-
Soft tones and a sense of place: A Mayfair duplex that breaks the modern mould
A new designer-led residence at 60 Curzon in Mayfair reminds us that everything new doesn't necessarily have to look it.
By James Fisher Published
-
'The very best North Yorkshire has to offer': The £25 million Kirkham Estate
With 1,103 acres and on the market for the first time in a century, we've got a new frontrunner for the sale of the year.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back home
At first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificence
Womersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigree
The Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
By James Fisher Published