One pensive thought, however, is awakened by the recollection that the amiable individual who erected the mansion and in part [44] adorned the surrounding grounds, did not live to inhabit the one or to enjoy the other. Mr. Upcher died in the flower of his age, in 1819, just before the house was completed, leaving a widow and several young children, and is interred in a mausoleum which he built adjoining the church.
Having passed the house, the road leads into the Lower Road, to Beeston and Runton, or by taking the road to the left, you may reach Weybourn, where the cliff ends.
The drive to Upper Sherringham by the Lower Road, or Runton, consists of five miles; by the Upper, or Holt, six miles. If extended to Weybourn, eight miles.
EXCURSION TO BLICKLING, AYLSHAM,
THROUGH ROUGHTON.
Having already noticed Roughton, we proceed without anything particular to observe, till we are within a short distance of Erpingham, when we pass, on the left, the rectory-house of Hanworth, which is very delightfully situated on the verge of Gunton-park, about two miles from Erpingham, which place lies to the right.
To those versed in chivalric lore, this village will be interesting;—Sir Thomas de Erpingham, the gallant favourite of the renowned John of Gaunt, and one of the sharers of the glories of the field of Agincourt, taking his name from this place, of which he and his predecessors were lords of the manor. The church and tower were begun in his time, but finished some years after his death. It contains inscriptions to the memory of the family, and a very perfect brass of Sir John Erpingham, whose son, Sir John, lies buried under a large stone at the east end of the south aisle: the arms are lost, but his effigy in armour remains, as standing on a lion: at each corner of the stone is the emblem of one of the Evangelists. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, has a tall square tower, on the summit of which were the effigies of four confessors, in their habits, carved in free-stone, three only of which are remaining, the fourth having been struck down by a violent tempest, which occurred during divine service, and killed one of the congregation. This happened about a century ago. The living, which is a rectory, is in the gift of the Dowager Lady Suffield.
At a short distance further, we pass on the left, the remains (for it can scarcely be called otherwise) of the ancient church of Ingworth, which appears to be of the age of William Rufus. It is dedicated to St. Lawrence, and had formerly a round tower, which fell down in the year 1812. The rectory is in the gift of W. H. Windham, Esq.
The whole of the drive lies through a richly wooded and fertile country, which as Blickling is approached, becomes more beautiful. The first sight of the Hall is very striking and imposing, and the general view of it gives an excellent idea of the grandeur and regularity of the buildings of former ages.
Blickling Hall, the seat of the Dowager Lady Suffield, is a large quadrangular mansion of brick, and forms a perfect specimen of architectural taste in the reign of James I., in which reign it was commenced, but not finished till that of Charles I. It has two open courts in the centre, with turrets at the angles, and a large clock-tower over the entrance, standing in a beautiful park of seven hundred acres [46] well stocked with deer, and extending into the adjacent parishes of Oulton, and Itteringham. The entrance from the court in front, formed by the offices and stables, is over a bridge of two arches, across the moat. On an ancient oak door in the front is the date, Anno Domini, 1620. This is within an arch, the key-stone of which bears a grotesque figure, and over the entablature is a rich compartment, bearing the arms and quarterings of Sir Henry Hobart, Bart. The entrance-hall measures forty-two feet, by thirty-three, and is thirty-three feet in height, opening to the great staircase of oak: this is ornamented with various figures, carved in wood, and conducts to a grand gallery, containing statues of Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth. The apartments, which are spacious, are adorned with rich chimney-pieces, ceilings, wainscots, &c., but the paintings are not very numerous or very valuable. The most remarkable room is the library, which is one hundred and twenty-seven feet in length, by twenty-one in breadth, and consequently rather offends the eye, as not being well-proportioned. The ceiling is divided into compartments, containing figures emblematical of the five senses, with others in relief, many of which are not a little grotesque. The library contains upwards of ten thousand volumes, amongst which are some very scarce and valuable works.
The grounds are very beautiful. A lake, one of the finest pieces of water in the kingdom, forms the principal ornament of the park and gardens. This extends in the form of a crescent, about a mile in length, and four hundred yards in its greatest breadth, and is skirted by verdant lawns and thickly wooded hills, which give a most charming effect. The conduit and statues are those which formerly adorned the platform of Oxnead Hall, one of the residences of the Earl of Yarmouth, two miles and a half from Aylsham, of which the sole remains are one wing, occupied by a farmer.