Voewood

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Voewood is the great house of the Arts & Crafts movement and, in that tradition, much of the material was quarried from the land it was built on. The house organically grew out of the ground and only local craftsmen were employed. The detailed care lavished on the house produces a unique atmosphere that cannot adequately be conveyed in photographs.

Built as Voewood, it was renamed Home Place, and is known as such in the architectural histories. Pevsner describes Voewood as “…far and away the most interesting building in Holt…seen by few and can only be seen if one looks for it…a most violently idiosyncratic house…the inventions sometimes remind one almost of Gaudi.” High praise indeed from a critical historian.

The build budget was £12,000 but it actually cost £60,000 – testament to an uncompromising architect and a tolerant client. The butterfly shape is designed to let in the sun at every angle. A Country Life article of 1909 remarked “Everywhere throughout the house there is an air of sweetness, light and spaciousness.” The house has an unusual history which is explored further on the history page of this site.

Many people when they first come to Voewood say “I have lived in this part of Norfolk all my life and never knew the house existed”. We have never had visitors on whom the magic has failed to work. It is a living house rather than a statement of the owner’s importance. For a large house it has no pretensions or pomposity, it embraces its visitors making everyone feel at home.

It is rare to be able to hire a property like Voewood for exclusive use. The house can be rented for many purposes from weddings and family gatherings to retreats, films and photo shoots. Or it can be visited through its events and tours during the year.

The house can provide accommodation for up to 32 people in 14 bedrooms. There are 7 bathrooms. The Main Hall is large enough for an event of over 100 people. The large lead-light doors open onto the handsome terrace from where steps and paths lead down to the sunken gardens. The grounds are varied and extensive, and include a rose garden and a walled garden planted with persimmons, greengages, plums, pears, apples and grape vines. Laid out when the house was built, these gardens are Grade I listed and provide a stunning backdrop for all occasions.

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