Photo: Holkham Hall by Rev Stan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Holkham Hall is a Grade I listed house in Norfolk, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Holkham Hall
Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, began building Holkham Hall in 1734.
His descendants, the Earls of Leicester, still live there today.
The house stands within a 25,000-acre estate near Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast.
Its Marble Hall is built from pink Derbyshire alabaster rather than actual marble, creating a deliberate visual effect that draws visitors toward the state rooms.
Holkham Hall is a member property of Historic Houses and opens to the public on a limited schedule as a working family home.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Holkham Hall
The hall was designed by William Kent, with input from Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, the Norfolk architect Matthew Brettingham, and Thomas Coke himself, who had returned from his Grand Tour determined to build in the true Palladian spirit. Construction took place across decades, and the house has remained with the Coke family, the Earls of Leicester, ever since. The wider estate has developed into a working agricultural and conservation operation covering thousands of acres of parkland and farmland.
Architecture of Holkham Hall
Holkham Hall is considered one of England's purest expressions of Neo-Palladian design. The house features a two-storey brick central block flanked by four corner pavilions housing the chapel, kitchens, guest wing and family rooms. Inside, the Marble Hall of pink Derbyshire alabaster leads to the piano nobile, where the Saloon is lined floor to ceiling in red velvet.
Worth knowing
The state rooms hold an unusually rich collection for a private house, including paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Gainsborough alongside ancient Roman and Greek statuary gathered on Thomas Coke's Grand Tour.
Gardens & grounds at Holkham Hall
The historic walled garden and surrounding parkland, laid out with wildlife and woodland walks in mind, form a major part of a visit alongside the house itself.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Holkham Hall
Nearest station: Wells-next-the-Sea (Wells & Walsingham Railway) (2.6 miles)
Holkham Hall opens on selected days throughout the year on a limited schedule; check the official Holkham website for current opening times.
Places to visit near Holkham Hall
Creake Abbey
View Creake Abbey on heritage mapBinham Priory
View Binham Priory on heritage mapBinham village cross
View Binham village cross on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Holkham Hall (NR23) there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 abbey, across English Heritage and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of Holkham Hall (NR23) there are 7 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Holkham Hall (NR23) there are 25 historic properties, including 9 historic houses, 9 historic buildings and 3 churchs, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Facts
A Palladian palace where the family that built it in 1734 still lives among the Rubens and Van Dycks.
- Type
- house
- Location
- Norfolk, England
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