Hengrave Hall stands in 44 acres with a lake, formal gardens and parkland. The Hall was built between 1525 and 1538 for the wealthy wool merchant and Sheriff of London, Sir Thomas Kytson.

The total cost for the building was £3000. The hall was built partly of brick and partly of stone. The building materials were brought to Hengrave by barges along the River Lark. Hengrave is renowned for its Oriel above the Gate House and the stained glass windows in its Oratory.

• Mary Tudor was sheltered here in her flight from plotters against her throne.

• Queen Elizabeth 1 was entertained - twice - on her progress to and from Norwich in 1578.
  Queen Elizabeth 1 did not travel lightly: among other things she brought 400 wagons containing clothes, jewellery and furniture.
  She had 2,400 horses to pull these wagons, bottles of her favourite beer and over 1,000 servants and ministers.

• Hengrave Hall remained in private hands until it was purchased in 1952 by the Sisters of Assumption, a Catholic religious order. Now the Hall is run by the Hengrave Community (a Christian community), which was founded in 1972.