Designed by one of the 18th century’s most celebrated architectural geniuses, William Kent, The Temple is a lovely example of its kind – an octagonal domed folly nestled beautifully on a high bank overlooking the town of Thetford and the Euston Estate. Unusually for these whimsical buildings, this one has been kitted out to make for an elegant and treating country stay.
The Duke of Grafton was a title first bestowed by Charles II onto his own illegitimate son, Henry, hence the appellation ‘FitzRoy’ – son of the king. This first Henry FitzRoy, the Duke of Grafton, then went on to marry Isabella Arlington, who brought with her the valuable Euston Estate. Since that point, Euston Estate has served as the seat for the Dukes of Grafton, and home of the FitzRoy family.
The Temple was originally commissioned as a banqueting room for the second Duke of Grafton. The third and fourth Dukes, however, loved to use it as a comfortable vantage point to watch their racehorses (of the prestigious Grafton Stud) being trained in the park. The current and 12th Earl of Grafton has now brought the temple happily up to date, and opened it for bookings.
Staying there is a delightful combination of architectural grandeur and short-stay comforts. The main reception room, which comprises the upper part of the central dome, is comfortably but smartly furnished with an elegant fireplace, fully stocked bar, squashy sofas and a big television. Flanking this room is a plush bathroom with a big tub and sweeping views and a bedroom, and below it a cosy kitchen-diner.
Outside the folly is a cluster of trees sheltering wooden lounge chairs, a woodburner and super cosy reindeer pelts; which we used for wintry red wine sundowners (mid afternoon at the time!), but it would be wonderful on a long summer evening. The trees and bushes were absolutely full of songbirds and a herd of Red Poll cattle roamed just on the other side of the fence.
For families wishing to expand beyond the two bedrooms of the folly (partly because the reception rooms of the folly can host a lot more than four people), a small cabin sits tucked discreetly – but only a few paces away – from the folly, where two more bedrooms-worth of people can be accommodated. It would be ideal for a gang of teens whilst the adults occupy the main house.
We found ourselves well looked after but equally well let alone (a characteristic that I appreciate), receiving a welcome hamper stocked with breakfast essentials, plenty of firewood, detailed guide books, and an estate manager there to help us with anything we needed. There are walks around the estate and parts of the pleasure gardens that are open to Temple residents, as well as plenty of good village pubs and lovely walks and visits only a short drive away.
