Holkham Hall

The Great Palladian Mansion

Holkham Hall is one of the most impressive stately homes in Norfolk.  A magnificent Palladian mansion, this house, along with its vast grounds, astonishing walled garden and lovely lake is somewhere you must visit when in North Norfolk.  It can’t be overlooked!

The most inspiring side of the house, and the view that we all know, is the one facing away from the lake.  It’s really worth taking the time to walk up the hill and stand in awe at this incredible piece of architecture.  I wouldn’t say Holkham Hall was aesthetically beautiful, but it does ooze splendour and grandeur.

The Holkham Estate

The Holkham Estate is huge, and very much open to visitors!  It consists of the following:

• The Hall
• The Walled Garden
• The Park
• The Nature Reserve
• The Beach
• Accommodation
  

Holkham Hall

If you pay to have a look around the house, you really won't be disappointed.  The whole tour is really well planned, and by the time you’ve finished, you really feel like you will have had a chance to experience life at Holkham Hall. 

The Marble Hall is the first of many impressive and opulent rooms that you’ll walk through.   Although it’s called the Marble Hall, it is actually constructed of alabaster, a very similar building material.  With the high ceilings and Roman columns, you’ll forgive the fact that it isn’t marble!

The rest of the house is just as grand, but one impression I got as I walked around was that it was definitely a house that was lived in, however grand.  Many of the paintings hanging on the walls are worthy of being in a museum, and the tapestries that adorn some of the walls are beautiful.

Go into the library and there you’ll see lots of family photos, all very up to date and typical of what you would have in your own home (except of course a picture of The Queen and other Royals!). They were very much at home when I visited, so much so that the blinds were down in a few rooms and the smell of a BBQ was most enticing! 

Holkham Walled Garden

I’m not a great gardener, but even I was blown away by the sheer size of this walled garden.  As you approach the exterior of it, through a wrought iron gate (brought back from Venice in 1908), you come face to face with this massive long wonderful red brick wall.  It sets the scene beautifully for the rest of the delights behind it.

If you haven’t paid to walk around the house, the museum and the walled garden as one package, then you will have to pay extra to see this, but I think it’s worth it.  The scale of the restoration, and the continuing restoration are staggering.  Go and wander over to the vineries and see what’s been accomplished there.  Admire the new vineyard which will produce juices for the cafes, and marvel at the wonderful beds that have been planted.  Some of it is a work in progress, but that makes it all the more exciting.

The Park

With miles of rolling countryside, lakes and deer park, it’s worth taking the whole day to explore everything here at Holkham Hall. You’re bound to spot the serene fallow deer grazing amongst the trees.  And obviously if you have dogs you are asked to keep them under control.

There are various colour coded walks around the park. The one I took was around the lake which was lovely, and very easy walking. 

I started at the Hall, walked up to the ice house (the other ice house is at Felbrigg Hall which you'll see on one of the Felbrigg walks I've written about) and sat on the bench with the 7th Earl (I’ll leave you to see if you can find him, he’s sitting on a bench overlooking the Hall), then visited the walled garden and continued on to St Withburga's Church (a deceptively large looking church with a small interior) and continued on around the lake to finish up at the front of the house.  

It's well worth taking the time to do this as it just gives you a feel for how lucky we are to be allowed to wander around these amazing grounds and to experience something quite beautiful.

Holkham Estate Activities

You can even take your cycle, or hire cycles from the Hall.   The National Cycle route goes right through the park, with wonderful sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. 

Small children can also have their fun!  There is a fenced-in woodland play area for them to enjoy themselves in.

And if you feel like taking to the water, then why not try a lake cruise, a canoe or rowing boat, or even getting into a hamster wheel-type ball and expend your energy that way!  Lots of fun to be had all round.

Refreshments

Holkham Beach

Holkham beach forms part of the estate, along with the Nature Reserve which runs alongside the beach and is adjacent to Wells-next-the-Sea.  The beach is one of the most beautiful North Norfolk beaches and has been used numerous times for filming, as well as being used for one week every year by the Household Cavalry to exercise their horses.  It’s a really incredible sight to see.

Holkham Nature Reserve

Accommodation suggestion near Holkham Hall

One of the best pubs/hotels I’ve been to near Holkham is The Crown Hotel in Wells-next-the-Sea. This is run by the Flying Kiwi, Chris Couborough, but the whole atmosphere is relaxed and extremely enjoyable. With lovely dog friendly rooms, it’s a great place to stay if you are planning on visiting Holkham.

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I really can recommend visiting the whole Holkham estate and enjoying a fantastic day out. There is something for everyone here.