An 1837 Etching of Bramford Hall

Extract from The Book of Bramford – A Suffolk Parish and its People (Halsgrove 2003 & 2012)

There is no doubt that had the structure still been standing today, Bramford Hall would have been the most important residence in the parish. It was built on the high ground overlooking the village, probably by John Acton in 1631*. On an early plan the first hall appears to have been built as four sides around a central courtyard, a popular style at the time. At some stage it was enlarged, probably by Nathaniel Acton II around 1745.
Over several generations the family expanded their landholding in this and other nearby parishes, until the last male heir died in 1836 and the estate passed through the female line to the Broke family of Nacton. After this date, the building and shooting rights were let to various tenants. One famous visitor to a shooting party around 1900 was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
During the Second World War the hall was used as quarters for officers but being no longer required by the family it was sold and demolished in 1956. Part of it survives as a modern dwelling.

*In 1631 John Acton was High Sheriff of Suffolk

The Acton family generations:

William Acton I – died 1616
His son John Acton I – died 1661
His son John Acton II – died 1663
His son John Acton III – died 1668
His son John Acton IV – died 1703
His William Acton – died 1743
His brother Nathaniel Acton I – died 1795
His son Nathaniel Acton II – died 1836
His son Nathaniel Lee Acton – died 1836