About Us

History

The Oaksmere has a long and illustrious history. The Cornwallis family were responsible for the construction of the Dower House, part of historic Brome Hall, back in 1574 during the reign of Elizabeth I. This now forms the Tudor wing of the present hotel, with its original beams and period charm.

In more recent times, our building owes much to the work of Reverend George Paterson, the Rector of Brome and Oakley churches between 1848 and 1888. With the patronage of Lord and Lady Kerrison, the Revd. Paterson was able to build Brome Rectory in 1850, which now forms the Victorian heart of The Oaksmere. Lord Kerrison was was widely acclaimed for his ‘long and distinguished military career, combined with his high regard for horses’. In many ways he was a progressive, presenting an anti-slavery petition to parliament in November 1830, and we like to think he’d rather like what we’ve done with the place…

The Hasted family acquired the property in the 1970’s, converting it to a country hotel and naming it The Oaksmere. Fraser Duffin more recently purchased the building and grounds, and after comprehensive renovations, has created The Oaksmere as it is today, a relaxing luxury retreat that celebrates the food and culture of our fabulous Suffolk and Norfolk borders countryside setting.

Floating Decoration

Our History

Subtitle from client
History
  • 1561
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  • 1850
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  • 1939
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  • 1943
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  • 1977
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  • 1988
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  • 2014
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  • 2017
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  • 2023
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    1561
    Sir Thomas Cornwallis inherited the lands around Brome in 1546. He built the magnificent Brome Hall (now demolished) and the Dower House for the widows of his three brothers. The Cornwallis family rose to prominence at the Tudor and Stuart Court and the House of Hanover.
    1850
    The Victorian extension of The Oaksmere was built when George Paterson was Rector of the churches at Brome and Oakley for 40 years during the 19th century. He was rich and used his money to restore the churches and build the rectory. The colored tiles and beautiful woodwork at The Oaksmere are mirrored at St Mary’s Church in Brome where lie the Tombs of Thomas Cornwallis and his wife.
    1939
    The Hasted Family purchased the rectory house as a private home,
    1943
    A B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber which had taken off from Thorpe Abbotts Airfield, near Diss minutes earlier, crashed in Brome village after unsuccessfully attempting to reach the newly constructed concrete runway at Eye airfield.13 American Airmen, 4 British civilians and one horse had all tragically succumbed to the horrific accident which still to this day ranks as one of the very worst aviation related loss of life incidents in the whole of the Mid-Suffolk District.
    1977
    The Hasted brothers returned from Australia upon the death of their great aunt and found the house derelict. On their return the brother rejoined Diss Rugby Club and their home became the preferred venue for post match for drinks and frolics. This became so popular that the Hasteds decided to start charging people to refurbish the run-down house. Over the years they added the restaurant and following a fire in 1983 bedrooms. It was whilst stripping out the bar in 1983 that the well was discovered.
    1988
    The hotel was sold in 1988 to Waveny Inns who renamed the hotel 'The Cornwallis'.
    2014
    The Oaksmere then known as The Cornwallis was purchased by Fraser Duffin having been closed for nine months. Fraser undertook an extensive renovation and reopened the bar in the Spring followed by the restaurant and hotel rooms that summer. In 2015 the Coach House was converted into four more luxury bedrooms. In 2016 the Oaksmere’s ¾ acre walled garden was reseeded and a butchery was constructed in the Couch House building.
    2017
    A new restaurant in the style of an orangery and a new reception and conservatory area was added to the main building.
    2023
    Unveiling of the B-17 memorial to commemorate the lives of 17 people lost. The B-17 Flying Fortress was on a routine ferry flight from Dickleburgh, Norfolk, to RAF Alconbury near Huntingdon when it caught on fire. Despite an attempted landing on a new runway at Eye Airfield, the plane hit a line of trees.