...Stunningly beautiful 16th century moated Hall set in 10 acres of gardens in the tranquil Suffolk countryside
Location - How To Find Us
By Car:
Otley Hall is 8 miles north of Ipswich off the B1079 in the village of Otley. Once in the village, turn into Chapel Road at the Post Office/Village Stores and follow the brown tourist signs to Otley Hall.
By Car:
Otley Hall is 8 miles north of Ipswich off the B1079 in the village of Otley. Once in the village, turn into Chapel Road at the Post Office/Village Stores and follow the brown tourist signs to Otley Hall.
By Train:
Ipswich Rail station is approximately 8 miles from Otley Hall. For timetable information please click on www.nationalrail.co.uk A taxi service is available from the train station.
Local Attractions:
A Short Guide to Otley Church
The Suffolk Doomsday of 1086 records a Church for Otley. The present building in the Gothic style dates from the 13th century.
The Nave
There is evidence that the Nave originally had a steep pitched roof (as the Chancel) no higher than the arches. In the 15th century the walls were heightened to include clerestory windows and the hammer beam roof. In Cromwell's time the angels on the hammerbeam roof lost their wings and their heads were sawn off. The font, which had sides decorated with lions alternating with angels and archangels holding shields, was mutilated with axe and hammer. At the front of the Nave is a most interesting benchend with the fleur-de-lis on the top; the heraldic arms are those of Beauchamp and Fitz-Alan of Arundel.
The Chancel
The roof timbers are reminiscent of Jacobean scroll work, dating from a restoration in 1840. At the base of the wall posts are six shields: one is an emblem of the Trinity; the one opposite is carved with symbols of the Passion. The four outer shields have letters, which spell out the constant Advent message "Prepare". On the North side of the sanctuary is a memorial to John Gosnold, whose family seat was Otley Hall. One Bartholomew Gosnold sailed to America in 1607 and founded Jamestown in Virginia, the first English settlement in that country.
On the North side of the Chancel is a door leading into the Vestry.
The Vestry
This room has the very rare feature of an underfloor total immersion Baptismal Font. The font is filled from the rainwater off the Chancel roof via an underground pipe, and the outlet is piped to the pond next to the Church path. As the Vestry is normally locked, viewing can only take place by appointment.
The Tower
The tower is 15th century and has been extensively repaired. There are six bells. In 1876 the peal of five bells was repaired by Day's of Eye. In 1934 the second bell was recast and the peal tuned and re-hung on a lower level. The bells are still rung on a regular basis. The clock dates from 1889 and has faces to the East and North. The great West doors were re-cut in the 19th century and are permanently closed.
The South Aisle and Porch
The West window calls to mind all the Christian Virtues. Ancient bench ends are well worth looking at. By the main door, the holy water stoup was mostly destroyed, but that destruction revealed what looks like part of a bowl in Norman or earlier style. On the south face of the chancel buttress is a small Scratch Dial, indicating times for the Canonical hours and Mass.
The North Porch
In 2003 the porch was converted into a toilet and kitchen. The toilet is accessed from the outside door on the North side. The Church is open during daylight hours throughout the year.
Related Websites
Local Information Sites
www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/tourism
www.outabout.co.uk
www.stedscathedral.co.uk
www.isuffolk.co.uk - the Suffolk Search Engine
Historic House Sites
www.helmingham.com
Gosnold Related Sites
www.genforum.genealogy.com/gosnold/
Ipswich Rail station is approximately 8 miles from Otley Hall. For timetable information please click on www.nationalrail.co.uk A taxi service is available from the train station.
Local Attractions:
A Short Guide to Otley Church
The Suffolk Doomsday of 1086 records a Church for Otley. The present building in the Gothic style dates from the 13th century.
The Nave
There is evidence that the Nave originally had a steep pitched roof (as the Chancel) no higher than the arches. In the 15th century the walls were heightened to include clerestory windows and the hammer beam roof. In Cromwell's time the angels on the hammerbeam roof lost their wings and their heads were sawn off. The font, which had sides decorated with lions alternating with angels and archangels holding shields, was mutilated with axe and hammer. At the front of the Nave is a most interesting benchend with the fleur-de-lis on the top; the heraldic arms are those of Beauchamp and Fitz-Alan of Arundel.
The Chancel
The roof timbers are reminiscent of Jacobean scroll work, dating from a restoration in 1840. At the base of the wall posts are six shields: one is an emblem of the Trinity; the one opposite is carved with symbols of the Passion. The four outer shields have letters, which spell out the constant Advent message "Prepare". On the North side of the sanctuary is a memorial to John Gosnold, whose family seat was Otley Hall. One Bartholomew Gosnold sailed to America in 1607 and founded Jamestown in Virginia, the first English settlement in that country.
On the North side of the Chancel is a door leading into the Vestry.
The Vestry
This room has the very rare feature of an underfloor total immersion Baptismal Font. The font is filled from the rainwater off the Chancel roof via an underground pipe, and the outlet is piped to the pond next to the Church path. As the Vestry is normally locked, viewing can only take place by appointment.
The Tower
The tower is 15th century and has been extensively repaired. There are six bells. In 1876 the peal of five bells was repaired by Day's of Eye. In 1934 the second bell was recast and the peal tuned and re-hung on a lower level. The bells are still rung on a regular basis. The clock dates from 1889 and has faces to the East and North. The great West doors were re-cut in the 19th century and are permanently closed.
The South Aisle and Porch
The West window calls to mind all the Christian Virtues. Ancient bench ends are well worth looking at. By the main door, the holy water stoup was mostly destroyed, but that destruction revealed what looks like part of a bowl in Norman or earlier style. On the south face of the chancel buttress is a small Scratch Dial, indicating times for the Canonical hours and Mass.
The North Porch
In 2003 the porch was converted into a toilet and kitchen. The toilet is accessed from the outside door on the North side. The Church is open during daylight hours throughout the year.
Related Websites
Local Information Sites
www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/tourism
www.outabout.co.uk
www.stedscathedral.co.uk
www.isuffolk.co.uk - the Suffolk Search Engine
Historic House Sites
www.helmingham.com
Gosnold Related Sites
www.genforum.genealogy.com/gosnold/
