Abbot Upcher was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Upcher of Ormesby St Michael a small village seven miles from Great Yarmouth. He was married to Charlotte Wilson and now had a rapidly growing family with a son called Henry Ramey Upcher and a daughter called Charlotte Mary. Upcher decided that what his family needed was a larger house and in 1811 he purchased the estate and the existing manor house owned by Cook Flower at Sheringham. After some negotiation a fee of £52,000 was agreed between the two men and an agreement was signed with Flowers legal representative by the name of William Repton who resided in Aylsham. William Repton was the son of Humphrey Repton the landscape designer and architect. Upcher attended dinner with William Repton at the time of the purchase of the hall and estate and it was at this dinner where Upcher was introduced to William Repton's father Humphry Repton, the Landscape architect. It was during this dinner where it was discussed and agreed that Repton’s father should oversee the design and construction of the house and the estate. Humphry Repton concentrated on the Landscaping whilst his other son, John Adey Repton was placed in charge of the design and construction of the new hall. At this time Britain was at War with its North American colonies and its American Indian allies. This along with the continuing war with France, had put the country in to deep recession. Repton was pleased to get the work, as in recent times his business had dried up and was putting him into increasing difficulties. He had also been badly injured in a carriage accident which had left him disabled and confined to a bath chair. The Upcher contract came as welcome relief. For the same reasons, Upcher had toned down his plans for his home and estate.