John Buxton (1685-1731) inherited the Earsham Hall Estate from his mother and as a talented amateur architect completely rebuilt the manor house into the Hall we see today. The house was sold to Colonel William Windham in 1721 (who is buried under the altar of Earsham Church). His son, William Windham, was comptroller of the household of HRH The Duke of Cumberland, Prince of Wales.  Around 1750 a single storey wing was added to the north-east elevation in honour of the Prince of Wales who came to the estate to hunt deer, and after whom our grand dining room is named.  Sir John Soane, famous architect (whose work includes the Bank of England building in London) added the library to the hall around 1784, plus the Music Room and a number of impressive fireplaces.

Catherine Windham (daughter of William) married John Dalling of Bungay and the hall eventually passed to their grandson Sir William Windham Dalling.  Sir William died in 1864 leaving no children and he passed the hall to his nephew John Meade, the son of Louisa and Hon Robert Meade.  The 1901 census reveals 5 members of the Meade family living in the hall and 16 servants (ranging from Elsie Wright a 15 year old laundry maid from Hemsby to Martha Smith the 40 year old housekeeper from Suffolk).  The servants also included 2 nurses, 3 laundry maids, 2 parlour maids, 1 scullerymaid, 1 dairymaid, 3 housemaids, 1 ladysmaid, 1 kitchenmaid – how times have changed!

Major Meade lived in the hall until about 1924.  In the 1940s the hall became a private school for 80 day boys and boarders.  It is still a great relief that the building still stands knowing the escapades the boys got up to…!  The school closed and the hall was sold by auction in 1973 and quickly fell into a state of disrepair.  The Derham family moved to the hall in 1976 with the aim of preserving and renovating the building.  Huge improvements have been and continue to be made.  It is now home to the extended family.