Clippesby is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of in Fleggburgh, in the Great Yarmouth district, in the county of Norfolk, England. It located on the B1152 and surrounded by the Norfolk Broads. The village consists largely of a few rows of small cottages and houses with four buildings of historical relevance, the Church of St. Peter's, the Rectory, the Old Hall (now Old Hall Farm) and Clippesby Hall (formerly Clippesby House). It is surrounded by outlying farmsteads. Farming and tourism comprise the majority of its economy, the latter being based in the grounds of Clippesby Hall. In 1931 the parish had a population of 136.
Toponymy
Clippesby is believed to have Viking origins (indicated by the "by" ending to its name). The villages name means 'Klyppr's/Klippr's farm/settlement'.
History
The settlement was bordered by the saltwater lagoon that existed before the sandspit where Great Yarmouth now stands formed to block the entrance to the North Sea. Subsequent drainage by windpumps created rich agricultural land upon which the settlement was largely dependent until recent years. There is an entry for Clippesby in the 1086 Domesday Book where it is recorded as Clepesbei. On 1 April 1935 the parish was abolished and merged with Fleggburgh.
Clippesby Hall
Clippesby Hall has had two incarnations over its history. The first Hall appears to date from 1585 (although Osbert de Salicibus alias de Willows is recorded as Lord in the reign of Henry II – 1154–1189). It was most notably occupied by Sir Clipesby Crewe, Chief Justice of England and first Recorder of Great Yarmouth. The Old Hall subsequently became a farm and is today known as "Old Hall Farm".
The current Hall was formerly known as Clippesby House.
The second Hall and estate was first owned by the Muskett family and is described in the 1903 sales catalogue (reproduced below).
In 1909 the hall was purchased by the artist Peregrine Feeney and his wife Emily. She was the sister-in-law of the noted pre-raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse who became a regular visitor and painted the hall on at least one occasion.
Originally the Hall had two storeys but following its use by the army in World War II the upper floor fell into disrepair and was demolished.
Since the war the estate has been used as a market garden, a garden centre and is currently a holiday park. The Hall is still a family home.
Extract from the 1903 Sale Catalogue for Clippesby Hall
General Remarks
The Clippesby Hall Estate lies mainly in a ring fence and is considered to be one of the most desirable Sporting Properties of its size in the County. There is a fair proportion of well placed covert with plenty of water, which forms an admirable Shelter and Rearing Ground for Pheasants; the uplands are very 'kind for partridges, whilst on, the marshes there is always a good stock of strong Hares.
The Hall occupies a healthy situation on the crown of a gentle eminence, is screened on the North and East by well-grown timber, and commands pleasing views of wood and water. It has recently been put into a thorough state of structural and decorative repair by the present occupier, who has been at considerable expense and evinced great taste in making it one of the best-appointed residences in the district.
From its close proximity to Acle Bridge and Potter Heigham (both favourite boating stations, whence the ever-pleasing Broads and waterways of Norfolk can be reached), the Hall forms a very attractive home for Yachtsmen.
As regards the Farms, the Arable Lands being of first-rate quality, with a large proportion of superior marshes adjoining, no difficulty need be anticipated in finding tenants at rents equal to or even in excess of the present amount. The majority of the fields abut on good roads, whilst the, river being close at hand, affords an expeditious and cheap means of carriage for corn, coal, and feeding stuffs, thus reducing the tenants' expenses for cartage.
Clippesby is equidistant (about 3 miles) from Acle Station on the Great Eastern Railway; and, Martham Station on the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, 5 miles from the' Sea, 9 miles from Great Yarmouth, and 14 from Norwich.
The old Hall, at present used as a Farmhouse, is a fine example of a sixteenth-century Manor House, and bears date 1585. In its windows and carved over the fireplace of the panelled parlour are coats of arms, reputed to be those of its former owners, Clippesby Crewe (Chief Justice of England, and the first recorder of Yarmouth, 1608), and Wryght.