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Overview Arrival information & directions

Overview

Holkham is a beautiful place rich in wildlife, history and architecture. It is set in an epic landscape, combining unspoilt coastline, big skies and open countryside. Take in a spot of culture and visit the magnificent 18th century hall and explore the six acres of walled gardens, part of an exciting restoration project. Learn about Holkham’s unique agricultural heritage with the brand new ‘Field to Fork’ farming exhibition, with its interwoven stories of crop production, gamekeeping and conservation and how this all contributes to produce the food on your fork.

Children will enjoy the Woodland Adventure Play Area, with its tree house, high level walkways, rope ladders and zip wire, plus a special area just for toddlers. On high days and holidays explore further with cycle hire or discover Holkham’s watery world with our choice of rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and even water zorbing to really get your heart racing.

History

Holkham Hall, still very much a lived in family home of the Coke family, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester. A cultivated man, Thomas Coke travelled extensively and in his youth made the 'Grand Tour' of Europe. Away from England for six years between 1712 and 1718, the Palladian style mansion most certainly reflects Coke's appreciation of classical art and when he returned to England he did so with a newly acquired library and an impressive art and sculpture collection with which he planned to furnish his mansion.

During his time in Italy he met architect William Kent, who shared his passion for the buildings of the Italian Andrea Palladio and it was there that Thomas planned his great Norfolk mansion. Work did not begin until 1734, as Coke lost a great deal of money in the South Sea Bubble fiasco. He was intimately involved in its construction for the remaining 30 years of his life and at his death in 1759, the house was stilll five years away from completion.

Food & beverage

New for 2016 will be the Courtyard Café, where we will serve only the best, locally-sourced food.

Grounds & Gardens

The Park surrounding Holkham Hall is home to a herd of about 800 Fallow Deer and a small herd of Red Deer. The beach, which is part of the nature reserve, becomes home to thousands of geese, many from Iceland and Russia, which migrate here for the winter. The estate, while an award-winning tourist site, also has some 25 tenanted farms as well as its own land, concentrating on arable and livestock.

The 6 acres of walled garden, which were originally laid out by Samuel Wyatt during the late 1700s, are currently undergoing an exciting restoration and visitors can explore the tranquil atmosphere and see the garden's progress.

Why not take time to explore the park with one of the three sign-posted walks, the nature trail around the lake or cycle and boat hire in high season.

Other facilities

The traffic-calmed routes through Holkham park are perfect for cycling and an opportunity for visitors to explore more of the estate. Or if you are feeling adventurous, it's an opportunity to saddle up and explore more of the local area. Or why not relax on a leisurely lake cruise, hire canoes, kayaks and rowing boats.

Arrival information & directions

Address: Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NorfolkNR23 1AB, United Kingdom

Holkham Hall Open 20th March–31st October, 12noon-4.00pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays*. *Please note that the Hall is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

All other areas are open on these days. Walled Garden, Farming Exhibition, Children’s Woodland Adventure Play Area, Courtyard Café and Gift Shop Open 20th March–31st October, every day 10.00am-5.00pm

Admission Prices 2016 Parking Charge £3.00 per day – redeemable in the gift shop on purchases of £10 or more. All monies generated by visitors are used to maintain the publicly accessible parts of the hall and park. Large coaches bringing group visits may park free of charge. Hall, Farming Exhibition and Walled Garden Adult: £15.00 Child (5-16 years inc): £7.50 Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children 5-16 years inc): £41.00 NB: For special children’s events the child age is 2-16 years inc.

Buy your tickets online in advance for a 10% discount. *We offer a discounted rate for English Heritage members, see details below. Farming Exhibition and Walled Garden Adult: £8.00 Child (5-16 years inc): £4.00 NB: For special children’s events the child age is 2-16 years inc. Buy your tickets online in advance for a 10% discount. *We offer a discounted rate for English Heritage members, see details below. Parking Charge: £3.50 all day.

Directions:

By Car: Holkham Hall is situated on the main A149, two miles west of Wells-next-the-Sea. The main entrance for the public is via the north gates of the estate.

By Train: The nearest train station is King's Lynn (approximately 23 miles away), which has hourly trains running from King's Cross, London via Cambridge and Ely.

By Bus: The Norfolk Coasthopper runs from King's Lynn and Hunstanton to Sheringham and has two stops at Holkham. The main bus stop is on the main road in Holkham village. In the summer the service is surprisingly frequent. The Hall is reached via Park Road, approximately a 3/4 mile walk away.

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Holkham Hall, Holkham