Press Centre
For any PR enquiries relating to the family, the Estate and its related businesses, or to obtain high-resolution images of Holkham, please contact Mary Rudd at Mary Rudd PR:
Mary Rudd PR
mail@maryruddpr.co.uk
Tel: 01362 821415
Latest News
24th May - New Car Park Is Planned To East Pressure On Town
Plans for a new car park designed to ease pressure on traffic in Wells-next-the-Sea have been put forward to North Norfolk District Council by the Holkham Estate. The proposed car park would be on land owned by the estate to the north of Freeman Street and is the site which was designated for a public car park by the council in September 2009.
Designed to provide over 300 parking spaces for cars, bicycles and coaches, it would help to remove coaches from the town’s narrow streets. A new footpath would be incorporated which would take pedestrians over a ditch to emerge at the existing football field car park, leading visitors naturally into town while avoiding the children’s play area.
David Horton-Fawkes estates director at Holkham said: “We would be incorporating a considerable amount of natural hedging and planting. We would also be including a sustainable drainage system including new reed beds to enhance the ecology on the site. We hope this proposed car park would ease congestion on the town, particularly on the Beach Road and Quay junction and attract more people to visit with the increased parking available.”
12th May - Adnams and Holkham Estate Announce Partnership Agreement
A partnership has been announced which will bring together a leading East Anglian hotelier and one of the area’s most historic estates.
Adnams and the Holkham Estate have forged a joint venture which will see Adnams Hotels managing both The Victoria at Holkham and The Globe at Wells–next-the-Sea with immediate effect.
The hotels are part of the Holkham Estate home of the Earl of Leicester. The Victoria was built in 1838 and was extensively refurbished in 2001 by the Earl’s son Lord Coke and his wife Polly. The Victoria is situated on the Holkham Estate and is close to Holkham Beach while The Globe is situated in the Georgian square of The Buttlands in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Adnams Chief Executive Andy Wood explains the link: “The partnership between the Holkham Estate and Adnams has developed over the years as our Cellar & Kitchen store is adjacent to The Victoria. Both the estate and Adnams are well-known East Anglian brands, famous for providing excellent quality food, drink and places to stay. Our recent experience of extending the Adnams hotel offer outside of Southwold at Fritton House is working extremely well. We are very much looking forward to working with the Estate and the teams at The Victoria and The Globe.”
David Horton-Fawkes Estates Director said: “We are delighted to be working with Adnams. We are confident they share our commitment to quality and they have the expertise and experience necessary to manage these important estate businesses. We chose Adnams because they recognize the value that parties bring to this partnership and we look forward to working together for the benefit of our customers and guests”
15th April - Holkham Joins Facebook
Holkham joined the social networking site Facebook so that fans can see what's happening here.
25th March - Holkham Beach Wins Coast Award
Once again Coast Magazine readers have voted Holkham Beach as the "Best British Beach".
Coast Magazine reports: It's done it again - Holkham, with its four miles of golden sand immortalised in the closing scenes of Shakespeare In Love, is the coast reader's top beach for the second year running. And it's not hard to see why, with its panoramic coastal views and an internationally important National Nature Reserve on the doorstep. 'Holkham really is a one-off' says Coast Editor Clare Gogerty. 'The feeling of solitude you get on those endless sands and in the surrounding pinewoods, makes for a truly uplifting seaside experience.'
Runners up were Bamburgh in Northumberland and Rhossili Bay in Gower.
See the entry below for 16th February 2009 to read about last year's success in the awards.
15th February - Getting to Work is a Marathon Effort for Charity
A north Norfolk man who is running in this year’s London Marathon has come up with an ingenious plan to get fit for the event on April 25. David Wroth (33), a crop sprayer at Holkham Farming has decided that in an effort to build his stamina and endurance for the race he is going to run to and from work.
David ran the marathon two years ago but badly injured his foot only weeks before the event due to rushing his training. This year he is determined not to make the same mistake and has decided that running the 7.5 miles from his home in Syderstone to Holkham will be the ideal way to build his stamina for the 26.219 miles he will have to endure.
Running for the charity Sense; a charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind and for the families who support them, David is aiming to beat his existing time of 4 hours 52 minutes by around 30 minutes with his training runs to and from work. David said: “One of our close family members is blind so we know the value of a charity that provides support to deafblind people and their families.” He continued: “I sit down most of the day at work as a spray operator, so this is not only an opportunity for me to improve my health and fitness, but to also raise money for a charity that is close to our hearts. Holkham have been fantastic in their support and I’m sure I shall get some beeping of horns as people pass me on my run to work.”
If you would like to sponsor David you can make a donation at
www.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidWroth
Update: 25th April - Brilliant news - David completed the marathon in 4 hours 37 minutes.
21st January 2010 - Walled Gardens at Holkham Hall to Re-open
An exciting project is underway in Norfolk to restore the walled gardens of Holkham Hall to their former glory. The gardens which date back to the late 1700s have been closed to the public since 2005 and the project is estimated to take four to five years to complete. For the first time this year visitors will be able to see at first hand the gardens taking shape and the progress being made to depict their historical origins.
Magnificent Italian iron-work gates frame the entrance to the gardens which are sub divided into eight sections and known as ‘rooms’. With the walls acting as a wind break the sun is able to create a gentle microclimate within. In Victorian times they provided a constant and varied supply of food and decoration to the hall, ranging from vegetables and flowers to a wide variety of both common and exotic fruits.
In the second section of the gardens there is a spectacular stand of large Victorian greenhouses which have been renovated back to their original splendour with the help of English Heritage. There are also sunken greenhouses designed to be at a lower level to avoid extreme temperature fluctuations which will be subject to future restoration. The trained pear trees here date from the original Victorian plantings and on the garden walls are a number of fig varieties and an olive tree which enjoys the warmth provided.
As the project progresses visitors will be able to meander along the paths bordered by the marvellous displays of foliage colours, flowers and fruit. Ornamental trees, unusual herbaceous perennials and walls clad with climbers and fruit trees will be joined by banks of wavy topped yew hedging. A working area designed to become the vegetable and cut flower garden will hopefully once again provide produce for the Hall and also the two hotels on the estate, The Victoria at Holkham and The Globe in Wells-next-the-Sea.
At the far end of the gardens there is an open area designated for weddings and other events and also a perennial meadow to give a spectacular display throughout the year, as well as providing the perfect place for wildlife to enjoy cover and seed heads.
There is a distinct tranquil feel and the gardens provide visitors with a space in which to relax and enjoy the wonderful environment of the North Norfolk coast famed for its big dramatic skies.
Tim Marshall head gardener at Holkham said: “This is an evolving project which is ambitious but achievable as we work to restore these gardens to their former glory and productivity. Come and see it change through the seasons, sit and relax in one of the gardens or just enjoy the wildlife around you.”
The walled gardens will be open to visitors every day from April 1 to October 31,
12noon to 4pm and there will be a selection of propagated plants on sale.
19th January 2010 - Pinewoods Holiday Park wins National Award for 10th consecutive year
Pinewoods Holiday Park has been awarded its tenth gold award in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme. The David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme is one of the longest running green tourism awards in the UK. The work has led to holiday parks across the UK demonstrating that caring and responsible policies can be good news for both conservation and for holidaymakers.
The park, which is run by the Estate, is right next to Wells beach and has privately owned holiday homes, space for touring caravans and tents as well as caravans and lodges which are let for holidays.
To qualify for the award the park is regularly assessed by the scheme’s team of local environmental experts. The assessors look at the steps each park is taking to manage their land as a haven for wildlife; to reduce their use of energy, water and other resources, to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste they produce and support their local communities.
Richard Seabrooke manager at Pinewoods said: “We are delighted to win the gold award for the tenth year running. Conservation is a key part of our work here and we take it into account in every aspect of our business. As well as being a reward for our work on environmental aspects of the park the awards scheme is also a great way of constantly assessing how we can improve every year by making changes such as the installation of our recycling centre and using electric buggies on the site.”
15th January 2010- Holkham Hall to offer Cycle Hire
Holkham has joined forces with Huff & Puff Cycles to offer cycle hire in the 2010 Visitors Season.
"It's part of our drive to offer visitors more choice, and what better way to explore the trails through the deer park and magnificent setting of Holkham Hall than by bicycle," said estates director David Horton-Fawkes. “It's not just the traffic-calmed routes within the hall grounds that make for perfect cycling, the entire area has much to offer”, adds Sam Weller, who runs Huff & Puff Cycles with business partner Ian Bunting. "There is a truly rich choice of quiet lanes and tracks throughout the area surrounding the hall," he declared. "They include iconic destinations such as Lord Nelson's birthplace at Burnham Thorpe, Binham Priory, the shrine and narrow gauge railway at Little Walsingham, and Wells-next-the-Sea. There is also the Norfolk Coast Cycleway for the more adventurous which runs next to the hall, and links faraway Great Yarmouth with King's Lynn."
The new hire centre will operate from the Pottery yard in Holkham Park. It will open daily from April 1 to October 31 and will be run jointly by Holkham Hall and Huff & Puff Cycles.
17th November 2009 - 4 Stars and a Silver Award for The Globe Inn
The Globe Inn has been given four stars and a silver award following an inspector’s secret visit as part of a nationally respected accreditation programme.
The Globe had a single booking for a room and dinner which they thought was quite a normal reservation until it came to checkout time the next morning and the guest revealed they were an inspector from Enjoy England.
Johanna Lissack, Front-of-House Manager, at The Globe explains: “It was a little like the Ruth Watson hotel programme on television when they reveal their true identity as they come to do their checkout. You know at that stage they have been through their room and every part of their visit with a fine toothcomb. “We were naturally a little nervous but as soon as they confirmed we had been given four stars and a silver award as well we were all delighted and it reflects the hard work everyone in the team puts into The Globe,” she added.
The Enjoy England’s four stars reflect an excellent standard throughout and the Silver Award reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in the bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision.
The Globe, which is found in the beautiful Georgian square of The Buttlands in the town, offers a number of special breaks including bird watching and classical concerts. With this part of Norfolk being such a special place for walking, the Inn has also just started taking well behaved dogs in two rooms. Plans are underway to start building in January which will see five new rooms created overlooking the courtyard which will be designed for family stays with a split level mezzanine for the bedrooms.
15th October 2009 - Holkham Lodges open their doors to dogs
The north Norfolk coast with its endless beaches and quiet pathways is the perfect place to holiday for dog lovers. Now you and your pet can enjoy a long weekend or mid-week break in one of the unique lodges on the Holkham Estate.
Holkham Lodges are set in historic follies situated in quiet corners of this historic sweeping 25,000-acre estate close to the bustling coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea. The Triumphal Arch, Palmer’s Lodge and Cuckoo Lodge, each has its own unique history. Havens of peace – all are stylishly interior-designed and have modern comforts and the latest technology.
All the lodges are booked and serviced through the Victoria Hotel at Holkham and guests can drive to the hotel for both dinner and breakfast if they wish, or take the self catering option, as they all have kitchens with hobs and ovens. Cuckoo Lodge even has its own Aga so that you make your own perfect Aga toast for breakfast.
While water bowls will be provided in each lodge, guests should bring their dog’s bed or rug. As all the lodges are situated in sensitive areas for wildlife, owners will be required to keep their dog on a lead while on the estate.
The lodges are booked through The Victoria Hotel telephone: 01328 711008
15th June 2009 - The Rocket Man Rocked at Holkham
Elton John certainly lived up to the title of The Rocket Man when he captivated the 15,000 crowd at this year’s outdoor concert at Holkham on June 14th.
The audience brought picnics and enjoyed the wonderful weather which saw temperatures rise and not a cloud in the North Norfolk sky. On a massive stage with an impressive lighting and sound rig, the music legend and his amazing band performed on the historic cricket ground on the North side of the hall beside the lake.
In a departure from his normal touring schedule of seated arenas and sports stadia, Captain Fantastic played an early evening show which finished at 9pm and there was still enough dusk light for people to complete their picnic after the show.
Holkham has hosted concerts with artists such as Jools Holland, Girls Aloud and Jose Carreras but with global record sales of over 250 million and a career spanning over four decades, Sir Elton was by far the biggest name to ever perform at Holkham confirming that the estate is able to attract a truly global music icon.
Sir Elton played all the great hits from his many albums as he performed with huge energy and enthusiasm for over two hours. He played the classics from his incredible back catalogue including 'Your Song', 'Are You Ready For Love', 'Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me', 'Daniel', 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting', 'Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word' and many others.
Sir Elton said: "There's something very special about playing at such a historic site. One feels very grand with a stately home as a backdrop! I love playing in Britain on a warm summer’s evening and having an enormous picnic under an open sky is the perfect way to start. We pulled out all the stops to make it a fantastic show."
Viscount Coke said: “Elton John delivered a high level of entertainment for the audience on the evening, playing recognised numbers for the many albums he has produced over the years. In terms of next year we know that Elton John will be a very hard act to follow but we will be looking to see who we can bring to Norfolk to match both the stature and delivery we had this year".
The Elton John concert also featured Manchester star Richard Fleeshman who Sir Elton has taken under his wing over the last couple of years, giving him support slots on his last two tours. He has even co-written Richard's new single "Can You Hear Me?” which was released on May 4th.
28th May 2009 - Costumes from The Duchess Film on Display
Garments designed by Michael O’Connor, who won an Oscar and a BAFTA for his costumier work on film The Duchess, went on display to the public from 28th May in The Duchess Exhibition at Holkham Hall in Norfolk.
The Duchess, set at the end of the eighteenth century starred Ralph Fiennes and Keira Knightley. Holkham was one of the country houses chosen to recreate the interior of the Duke of Devonshire’s London residence, Devonshire House in Piccadilly and the mannequin exhibition will take pride of place in the saloon. In addition, there will be information panels throughout the Hall conveying the enormity of the set up and how the hall was adapted for the scenes. Five costumes are displayed from the film; one of Keira Knightley’s costumes as The Duchess, one of Ralph Fiennes as The Duke and three children’s outfits.
This will be the first time these costumes have been displayed at Holkham Hall and it will be a unique opportunity for the public to not only see where they were filmed, but to also see close up the quality of work and lavish detail that goes into the making of costumes that may only be fleetingly glimpsed on the screen.
16th February 2009 - Holkham Beach wins Coast Magazine Award for Best Beach
Holkham is proud to announce that it has won the coveted Coast Magazine Award for ‘Best Beach 2009’. Readers of the magazine selected Holkham with over runners-up: Bamburgh in Northumberland and Brighton in East Sussex. The miles of dunes, windswept sands and maze of creeks and saltings has made it a winner!
Coast Magazine launched the awards last year to recognise the people and places that represent all that is innovative, valuable and exciting around the British coastline. This year, the categories included Best Coastal Café, Pub or Restaurant, Best New Business By The Sea and Best Reinvented Seaside Town.
The magazine reports that the nominations came in the hundreds, from every part of the UK and were tallied up to find readers’ top spots for ‘Best British Beach’ and ‘All-Round Seaside Holiday Destination’. They then put the top-scoring nominations for the remaining categories to an expert judging panel.
