Scratby: £1.3m home linked to Lord Nelson is for sale

Selling agents Minors & Brady say that the property, “rich in history”, was once home to Dame Emma Hamilton - the socialite and actress who had an affair with Norfolk’s Lord Nelson. 

The couple met in Naples in 1793, where Emma’s husband, Sir William Hamilton, was stationed as a British Ambassador. 

The property sits in grounds of around two acres (Image: Minors & Brady)

The entrance hall features a huge split staircase rising to the first floor (Image: Minors & Brady)

Within a few years, they had begun an affair which Royal Museums Greenwich describes as “passionate and enduring”, but it scandalised high society. Both were married and Nelson had already become a household name due to his successes in the British Royal Navy.

Nelson returned to England with the Hamiltons in 1800. At the time, Emma was already pregnant with Nelson’s child, who they named Horatia.

The couple’s relationship continued until Nelson’s death in 1805. The day before he returned to active service, they visited the parish church and exchanged rings as part of an unofficial wedding ceremony and as HMS Victory sailed into action, he amended his will, requesting that provision be made for Emma and their daughter. It was never honoured.

The kitchen is spacious and well-fitted with an open-plan feel (Image: Minors & Brady)

The link between the kitchen and dining room is free-flowing and ideal for entertaining (Image: Minors & Brady)

The couple lived mainly in Surrey but parts of Dame Emma’s earlier home in Norfolk still remains, now called Lady Hamilton House, on Lady Hamilton Lane, a private road which is included as part of the sale for £1.3m. 

In the 1960s, the property was used as dormitories for a local school before being transformed into a substantial family home, which has since been extended.

Highlights include the grand entrance hall, which has an impressive staircase leading up to the galleried landing, and several well-proportioned reception rooms including a living room, dining room, drawing room and study, all of which are well-presented with charming fireplaces, bay windows and ceiling roses.

The entrance hall is particularly impressive (Image: Minors & Brady)

Elsewhere, a sun lounge offers lovely views over the almost two-acre grounds and a country-style kitchen provides ample space for cooking, dining and entertaining.

There is also a self-contained annexe on the ground floor, offering the potential for multi-generational living or as a holiday let, and comprising a living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.

Upstairs, the home currently offers five bedrooms, although selling agents Minors & Brady suggest that these could be reconfigured to create a further two.

The property currently offers eight bedrooms, in total, though selling agents Minors & Brady say there could be potential to create more (Image: Minors & Brady)

The bathrooms are modern and well-fitted (Image: Minors & Brady)

The master bedroom provides twin dressing rooms, an en suite bathroom and the original balcony, which overlooks the gardens and ponds. 

The spacious guest bedroom also has a kitchen and could be used as an additional first-floor annexe or for hosting guests. 

The grounds around Lady Hamilton House are as special as the house, offering a large sweeping driveway, heated pool, tennis court and stables, plus several ‘secret gardens’ and a large patio.

Also included within the grounds is a two-storey outbuilding which is currently used as a games room (Image: Minors & Brady)

There is a tennis court within the grounds (Image: Minors & Brady)

The pool area has a Mediterranean feel to it and is enclosed by high private walls, accompanied by changing rooms, a shower room and an outdoor kitchen.

There’s also a two-storey outbuilding that provides a games and entertainment room.

A spokesperson for selling agent Minors & Brady says: “Not only are you purchasing a property with an abundance of land, space and potential for additional income but you are investing in a the luxury family lifestyle, which the current owners have enjoyed for many years – rich in the history and heritage of Norfolk.

The grounds, which extend to almost two acres, have been meticulously landscaped (Image: Minors & Brady)

Also included within the grounds is an outdoor pool (Image: Minors & Brady)

“Many families have added to the beauty and culture of this home, including Lady Hamilton herself, the mistress of Lord Nelson who are believed to have spent time here at this property. 

“Horatio Nelson, born in Norfolk, is generally regarded as the greatest officer in the history of the Royal Navy.”

For more information, contact Minors & Brady.

Lady Hamilton Lane, Scratby
Guide price: £1,300,000
Minors & Brady, 01493 801305
www.minorsandbrady.co.uk