The largest holding in Drinkstone in the Domesday Survey was that of Ely Abbey, consisting of 2 carucates of ploughland. There was a church with 12 acres in 1066, and the estate also included woodland for 100 pigs and 6 acres of meadow. A further carucate in Drinkstone was held by a free man commended to Ely Abbey in 1066, and by Robert, Count of Mortain in 1086. Another carucate was held by Bury St Edmunds abbey, and by 11 free men as tenants.
By the reign of Henry III there was a manor known as Drinkstone Hall, held by Matthew de Lovaine, who died 1262, which remained in that family until the 16thc.