Holkham Hall

Explore The Beauty of Norfolk's Imposing Estate

Holkham Hall is a magnificent eighteenth-century Palladian mansion, owned and lived in by the Earl of Leicester and his family.

History of Holkham Hall

Holkham Hall was designed by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester.

His architectural design was inspired by the buildings he had seen during his travels to Italy.

For the next several years, architects and builders worked to bring Coke's vision to life. The construction of the Hall started in 1734 and was finally finished thirty years later, in 1764 and it has been a stunning estate ever since.

In addition, the Coke family has collected plenty of rare and valuable objects over the years, many of which are displayed in the Hall.

Holkham Hall is an iconic landmark, known for its stunning Palladian architecture, wonderful walled garden, lake and sprawling grounds.

If you pay to have a look around the property, you won't be let down - the tour is well-structured, giving you a great opportunity to get a sense of life at Holkham Hall.

Inside the Hall

Inside the Hall, you’ll find a mind-blowing array of artworks, furnishings, and artifacts.

The Marble Hall is one of the first of many impressive and luxurious rooms that you will go through.

Although it is termed the Marble Hall, it is in fact crafted from alabaster – a material that is quite similar. With its high ceilings and Roman columns, it is easy to forgive the fact that it is not actually made of marble!

From the grand state rooms to the exquisite chapel, Holkham Hall is a feast for the eyes.

When I went to the library, I noticed lots of personal family photos, which were very recent and reminiscent of the ones we usually have in our own residences (except for a portrait of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family, of course!).  The atmosphere was very homely, so much so that some rooms had the curtains pulled down and I could even detect the scent of a barbeque!

The ornate chapel is also a beautiful space with gilded carvings, and painted ceilings.

Artworks and Furnishings

You’ll also discover a stunning collection of artworks and furnishings in many of the rooms.

There is a State Gallery, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Saloon as well as State Bedrooms and many of these rooms feature an array of valuable works of art, and you’ll find paintings by Canaletto, Claude Lorraine, and Reubens and Van Dyke to name but a few.

There is also a vast collection of furniture that was collected and added to the Hall over the years.

The Stables Courtyard

Exploring the Grounds

The sight of the huge walled garden made me gasp in admiration. It’s quite spectacular and worth paying the entrance fee to visit it if you like walking around gardens.

There are various trails around the park, and the one I took was around the lake - easy walking and pleasant. I started at the Hall, went to the ice house (which looks stunning with its thatched roof) and sat down on the bench with the 7th Earl with a wonderful view of the Hall.

After that, I proceeded to the walled garden and then to St Withburga's Church before circling the lake and ending up in front of the house. (These are details I would put in your walking holiday pack).

I really hope you get to explore this wonderful estate when you’re walking the Norfolk Coast Path.

Click here to go back to the Norfolk Coast Path 

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