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Historic England Research Records

Thetford Warren Lodge

Hob Uid: 383143
Location :
Norfolk
Breckland
Thetford
Grid Ref : TL8392884065
Summary : Thetford Warren Lodge is a rectangular building of two storeys measuring circa 8.5 metres by 5.8 metres. The walls, which stand for the most part to almost their full original height and are up to 1 metre thick at ground floor level, are constructed of mortared flint rubble with some brick and tile and with limestone dressings which include many reused architectural fragments of 12th century type. The floor of the upper storey no longer survives. Thetford Warren Lodge is generally considered to have been built circa 1400, and to have been occupied by the gamekeeper of Thetford Cluniac Priory. The character of the building is indicative of high status, and its interior features and fittings are consistent with it having been intended as a hunting lodge to accommodate hunting parties rather than a gamekeeper alone. The building also has a number of defensive features which include the narrow lower windows, the murder hole over the porch, and a parapet, which allowed the gamekeeper to survey what was then open countryside. In the post-medieval period, until the early years of the 20th century, the area surrounding the monument was one of the most productive rabbit warrens in the Breckland region of Norfolk and it is known that Thetford Warren Lodge was occupied, from at least the 18th century onwards, by the warreners who managed and culled the stock.
More information : TL 83928407 Thetford Warren Lodge (NAT) (1)

Substantial remains of 15th C building. Grade II. (2)

The remains of the building are in the care of the DOE. The building is outstanding. See GP (3)

A rectangular building of two storeys measuring circa 8.5 metres NNE-SSW by 5.8 metres. The walls, which stand for the most part to almost their full original height and are up to 1 metre thick at ground floor level, are constructed of mortared flint rubble with some brick and tile and with limestone dressings which include many reused architectural fragments of 12th century type. The floor of the upper storey no longer survives. Thetford Warren Lodge is generally considered to have been built circa 1400, and to have been occupied by the gamekeeper of the Cluniac Priory of St Mary, Thetford. The character of the building is indicative of high status, and its interior features and fittings are consistent with it having been intended as a hunting lodge to accommodate hunting parties rather than a gamekeeper alone. In the post-medieval period, until the early years of the 20th century, the area surrounding the monument was one of the most productive rabbit warrens in the Breckland region of Norfolk and it is known that Thetford Warren Lodge was occupied, from at least the 18th century onwards, by the warreners who managed and culled the stock. (4)

The building has a number of defensive features which include the narrow lower windows, the murder hole over the porch, and a parapet, which allowed the gamekeeper to survey what was then open countryside. The south-eastern angle of the building has been rebuilt and its roof is modern. See source for further details. (5)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1959
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Breckland, 01-DEC-1993
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Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : First OS Archaeology Field Investigator 29/11/1973
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : 18-Sep-96
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Source Number : 5
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Source details :
Page(s) : 76-77
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : c1400
Monument End Date : 1410
Monument Start Date : 1390
Monument Type : Estate Cottage, Hunting Lodge
Evidence : Extant Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : C18
Monument End Date : 1799
Monument Start Date : 1700
Monument Type : Hunting Lodge
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : NF 249
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Norfolk)
External Cross Reference Number : 2760
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 21410
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 384668
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : EH Property Number
External Cross Reference Number : 47
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TL 88 SW 8
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : Is referred to by

Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1973-11-29
End Date : 1973-11-29