The name Wolterton (Ultretune) devolved from the Anglo-Saxon language and has the meaning of Wulfthryth’s (a woman) enclosure (tun or ton) settlement or farm.

[4] The present hall and estate was once occupied by an early manor house, owned by Sir Henry Spelman,[5] and the village of Wolterton which was abandoned[6] leaving only the remains of the parish church tower which stands a short distance north of the present hall.

Evidence shown on a map produced in 1733 shows that the deserted settlement of Wolterton lay a little north of the church and consisted of several houses clustered around a village green.

[7] The survey shows main landholder of Wolterton was the Norman nobleman William de Warenne.

Horatio was a politician and diplomat, like his brother, and he had spent time at The Hague and had also been the Ambassador to France in Paris between 1724 and 1730.

[1] The main entrance was on the north elevation of the house was flanked either side with Tuscan columns and headed with a plain stone cornice and pediment and was accessed by means of an exterior staircase (removed in the 19th century).

[3] He also added the Portland stone arcade to the south elevation which consisted of seven semi-circular arches with a balustrade terrace balcony above.

[3] The house has a central domed full height stairwell with a stone cantilevered staircase with a lyre-shaped wrought iron balustrade topped with a banded mahogany handrail.

Other rooms of the house are also embellished with fire-surrounds by Fisher (eight in total),[12] and many of the walls have family portrait paintings.

Made of knapped flint with brick and stone dressings, it is a Grade II* listed building and a scheduled ancient monument.

[14] This allowed Horatio to acquire hardwood, mainly walnut to make up the doors windows and shutters for the hall.

In April 2016, the house and parkland were bought by interior designers Peter Sheppard and Keith Day,[16] who embarked upon a restoration project.