The building history of Lamas reflects several periods and a range of architectural details. A country house with later building phases, a date on the eastern gable of another house, and a former chapel offer different ways to explore the local history. Those interested in architectural heritage can consider dates, floor plans, surviving fabric, and building materials separately, rather than assigning all the buildings to a single phase of construction.

Country house, dates, and building materials

Lammas Hall is a Grade II listed country house dating from the late 17th century and later building phases. The coach house at Lammas Hall is dated 1675. The country house’s history spans several phases, while the coach house has a precise year as a reference point. When assessing them, it is worth considering the main house and the coach house separately: one reflects development over several building phases, while the other has a precise date.

The date 1525 is picked out in dark brick on the eastern gable of Lammas Manor. This dating detail differs from the broader indication of building phases at Lammas Hall. Bure House draws attention to other features: a significant proportion of its original fabric survives, and its “lobby entry” floor plan remains clearly recognisable. Flint and handmade red bricks were also used as local building materials in the house. At Bure House, the floor plan, surviving fabric, and materials can therefore be considered together, while Lammas Manor stands out for the date on its eastern gable.

These different clues represent distinct aspects of architecture: a date places a detail in time, a floor plan describes the arrangement of a house, and building materials indicate what it was made from. The proportion of original fabric that survives adds another perspective: how much historic material remains. Together, these aspects help distinguish the buildings not only by age but also by form and condition.

Former chapel and church access

The former Friends Meeting House is a former chapel dating from the late 17th or early 18th century. Red brickwork and a roof covered with roof tiles are among its defining features. The burial ground south of the former Meeting House contains Anna Sewell’s grave. The historic building story here therefore includes both a religious site with an explicitly former function and a specifically located grave.

The Church of St Andrew is open during the day. The gates are locked at dusk or by 8 pm at the latest. If you plan to visit the church, time your visit to fit these access hours and check local information before travelling.

A route along the River Bure

A walking theme can also be connected with Lamas, while keeping the route’s precise location clear: a 2018 report describes Buxton with Lamas Footpath 4, east of Buxton, following the waterway of the River Bure. If you plan to walk this route, check local path conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fakenham, Caister-On-Sea, Lingwood, Aldborough, Honingham, Reedham, Barney, Dickleburgh

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