Press Centre

For any PR enquiries relating to the family, the Holkham Estate and its related businesses, please contact our Press Centre - managed by Hunt Communications:

Email:

Harriet Hunt - harriet@hunt-communications.com

Sophie Comyn - sophie@hunt-communications.com

Emma Bowman - emma@hunt-communications.com

Telephone:

+44 (0) 7886 969086

High resolution images can be obtained by using our image library or by contacting the Holkham Marketing Department: 01328 713103 or email marketing@holkham.co.uk

Photography taken for any commercial use must have prior written consent from the Holkham Estate.

30th June 2020 - Holkham to Reopen in Style

After almost three months of lockdown, Holkham in Norfolk plans reopening for 4th July

Following the successful, careful and phased reopening of Lady Anne’s Drive at Holkham and the car park and Beach Café as a takeaway at Wells-next-the-Sea, Holkham will reopen the majority of its much-loved attractions on Saturday 4th July.

Behind the scenes, the team has been busy preparing the grounds and visitor experiences to ensure an impressive and warm welcome back to everyone this summer. In addition to new enhancements to the Walled Garden and suitably re-named Holkham Stories Experience, visitors will also be able enjoy Feast in the Park, which will consist of a beverage and ice-cream offering during the week, with a greater offering of fabulous local food and drink concessions at weekends. Scrumptious takeaway options for lunch, and supper on selected evenings, will include tasty creations from The Vic’s Belted Beef Bar, Fat Teds, The Bucket List, The Cabin, The Village Van, Food Dude, Duck Truck, Woodland Pizza, Mooshakers, Cuppa Jo’s, Dann’s Farm Ice Creams and an outside bar from none other than Adnams, with more partners to be confirmed. With views out over the lake and historic parkland, who could ask for a better spot to dine outside?

Gardening enthusiasts will be keen to visit the newly designed and planted Square Two in the Walled Garden – titled The Ornamental Garden. The new formal planting and colourful displays perfectly complement the historic conservation and newly cast bell of the Thomas Messenger Building.

Appreciators of heritage will enjoy the new rooms and additions to the Holkham Stories Experience (formerly named Field to Fork), whilst the active amongst us will relish the opportunity to hire cycles and explore the park and country lanes, test our head for heights on the high ropes course and give children the chance to explore the Woodland Play Area.

The Courtyard Gift Shop will also reopen on 4th July, together with a newly created Discovery Trail for children and mapping for those exploring by foot or pedal. The opening of the Courtyard Café will hopefully follow in the coming weeks, whilst the hall will remain closed until further notice. Down at the beach, The Lookout, enviably positioned on the Holkham National Nature Reserve, will also reopen in early July offering takeaway options together with some of the best, and nature-rich, views in the country.

Plus, those wishing to stay longer than a day will be keen to keep up-to-date with the reopening plans of The Victoria Inn, which is due to open mid-July, and also Pinewoods Holiday Park - which opens to caravan owners on 4th July, then following with the reopening of their hire fleet from 13th July and caravan or motorhome touring site from 22nd July (both with reduced capacity).

As managing director, Peter Mitchell, explains, “The 4th July feels like a significant turning point for tourism, and our team at Holkham has been working hard to ensure that we can reopen safely, yet with confidence. We have focused our efforts on creating a revised proposition for visitors – one that feels suitable to our new climate and makes the most of our big, open spaces. I look forward to seeing the park come alive once more with people enjoying everything Holkham has to offer.”

Whilst the opportunity to get out and explore the wide, open expanses and unique attractions that somewhere such as Holkham provides is exciting and the perfect tonic after months of lockdown, visitors can rest assured Holkham has their safety as a priority. The necessary risk assessments and additional special measures have been put in place to help keep visitors, staff and the local community safe: Holkham Park will be a cashless site, welcoming only card-based transactions, with contactless preferred; visitors will be encouraged to keep clean with the provision of hand sanitising stations at key touch points; toilets will undergo deeper cleaning regimes and signage guidance has been installed to aid and maintain social distancing.

There is no doubt that the 4th July is an important date for many businesses, and one from which visitors to Holkham will be guaranteed an exciting, yet safe, experience delivered with the warm and friendly welcome Holkham is renowned for.

22nd April 2020 - The Future of Holkham Country Fair

A joint decision has been taken between the organiser and Holkham, that 2019 will have marked the last country fair at Holkham under the current arrangement. Celia Deeley, Holkham Enterprises manager, explains, “As an estate, we have greatly enjoyed hosting the Holkham Country Fair over the last 42 years, and during that time thousands of visitors have relished the entertaining day out it provided. However, recent years have shown that we can no longer continue with the country fair in its current format, and so after much contemplation we have agreed not to renew our working arrangement with the organiser for 2021.”

Organiser and promoter, Sarah Green, adds, “I know that many of you will be as sad as we are to see the end of this wonderful, traditional event. We would like to thank all those who visited, contributed and enjoyed attending Holkham Country Fair over its many years.”

There will certainly be disappointment at this news, however Holkham would like to take this opportunity to assure visitors that a programme of exciting and engaging events will be on the what’s on calendar for 2021. As always, rural pursuits, country life, wildlife and conservation will continue to play an important role in this offering.

17th April 2020 - NHS Heroes Cycling Challenge

HOLKHAM’S SAM PROCTOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR NHS SUPER HEROES WITH A SIX WEEK, SIXTY-HOUR CYCLING CHALLENGE

On Sunday 19th April, Holkham employee Sam Proctor, a pro-triathlete, will commence a mammoth six week cycling challenge to raise money for the The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn Charitable Fund. The idea for the challenge was prompted by the ongoing achievements of the team at The Victoria Inn at Holkham, during the COVID-19 crisis - in delivering meals to NHS staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn, as well as meals, estate-grown potatoes and other produce for vulnerable people within the local community. The challenge will run for six consecutive Sundays, starting this weekend, with Sam cycling a minute for every meal delivered to the NHS that week. An average of 600 meals are being delivered weekly, which means a mighty 10-hours of cycling for Sam each Sunday.

Supporters will be able to join Sam for live video streaming via Holkham’s and his own social media channels, as well as having the opportunity to cycle with Sam via Zwift. Sam will be set a different route each week, including a leg-pounding virtual ascent of Mount Everest. The challenge will also include NHS worker phone ins, duo rides with surprise guests and a potential two-day, 10-hours per day, final weekend climax. The challenge itself will take place in The Orangery at The Victoria Inn, with inspiring views out over the Holkham National Nature reserve. All participants, other than Sam, will join him virtually.

As Sam explains, “I am excited to have this challenge to focus on. Yes, it will be tough, but not in comparison to the amazing work our NHS staff are carrying-out to help save lives during this pandemic. I can’t wait to get started.”

Joining Holkham and Sam in the challenge are a raft of local food suppliers and global sporting supporters and sponsors. Supporters include Ribble Bikes, ERDINGER Alkoholfrei, Hoka One One, Zwift and Torq Nutrition.

In addition, the local suppliers who have generously supported the Helping Hands for Hungry Heroes initiative to create and deliver meals to NHS staff are also hugely supportive of this sporting challenge, namely Arthur Howell, Barsby Produce, Fen Farm Dairy, H V Graves (Briston) Limited and Sole Trader (Billingsgate Market).

Sasha Castling of Ribble Bikes shares “We’re incredibly proud to support Sam in his challenge and naturally as one of our sponsored riders we jumped at the chance to help him and the team. We would love everyone to join us in wishing him the very best over the next six weeks and helping to raise as much as possible.”

Likewise, Sasha Hart at TORQ Nutrition gives their response on hearing about the challenge, “TORQ are really looking forward to being a part of such an incredible challenge and hope that Sam’s great effort will help to inspire other athletes to similarly become involved, in channelling their energy & enthusiasm in a positive way. We sincerely hope that the cycling and triathlon distance challenges will help to raise further awareness and funding for our incredible NHS staff, who have dedicated so much to us all. It is a great honour to support Sam and we wish him all the best.”

Peter Gowans of ERDINGER Alkoholfrei is cheering Sam on all the way, adding “This challenge is typical of the drive and determination that secured Sam a place in the ERDINGER Alkoholfrei UK Triathlon Team. He’s shown a winning spirit by combining training with fundraising for such an important local cause and we know that he and The Victoria Inn team are making a real difference”.

Head of staff engagement at the QE Hospital, Amanda Jane Weir, shares her gratitude for the forthcoming challenge, “Everyone at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn really appreciates the messages and support we are getting from our community. It means so much when staff are working so hard to keep patients and each other safe and well. The meals being delivered to the hospital have really boosted morale and Sam’s challenge is fantastic. Thank you so much to everyone who supports him.”

Overall, the main aim of this challenge, titled Holkham’s NHS Heroes Cycling Challenge: Powered by Proctor, is to raise as much money as possible for an incredibly worthy cause. Supporters wishing to donate during the six-week period will be able to do so via Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/poweredbyproctor

To follow Sam’s challenge visit:

Facebook: @Samproctortri and @HolkhamEstate

Instagram: @Samproctortri and @holkhamestate

Twitter: @Samproctortri and @Holkham

17th April 2020 - Helping Hands for Hungry Heroes

FOLLOWING THREE WEEKS AND MORE THAN 2000 MEALS, HOLKHAM PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON HOW THEIR HELPING HANDS FOR HUNGRY HEROES INITIATIVE IS PROVING TO BE A TRUE FORCE FOR GOOD WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES

After the temporary closure of The Victoria Inn on Saturday 21st March due to the COVID-19 crisis, the team, Holkham’s Go Help champions and a raft of volunteers from across the Holkham estate and surrounding area turned their attention to how they could help the most vulnerable members within the local community. What began as an initiative to feed those most in need, quickly developed into an endeavour to support and provide freshly prepared meals for the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.

Since its launch on 30th March, the programme, aptly titled Helping Hands for Hungry Heroes, has provided an average of 600 nutritious meals per week to NHS heroes and those in need. The kitchen at The Victoria Inn, which overlooks the Holkham National Nature Reserve, has kept its kitchen open during the crisis to allow the team to prepare meals on-site, which they then deliver personally whilst adhering to all social distancing guidance.

However, the project is only able to continue thanks to the collaboration and support from generous local suppliers, namely Arthur Howell Butchers, Barsby Produce, Fen Farms Dairy, H V Graves (Briston) Limited and Sole Trader (Billingsgate Market). With the produce donated, as well as potatoes and game from the estate, the team of chefs and volunteers have been producing a selection of soups, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and quiches for staff to eat on shift. Fresh and healthy frozen meals have also been prepared for NHS staff to take home, including cottage pies, fish pies, vegetarian & beef lasagnes and stews.

The Victoria Inn’s managing director, Ben Hunter Watts, explains, “I am thrilled to be part of something so positive during this difficult time. The energy and passion of the team here at The Victoria Inn and the support of our suppliers is remarkable, as is the amazing work of the NHS staff we are feeding.”

North Norfolk butcher Arthur Howell says, “I am delighted to support this fantastic initiative by Holkham. All the produce I will be supplying free of charge to Holkham comes from supplies within a 30-mile radius of the estate as I try and source all my meat from the north Norfolk locality. It’s produce of the very highest quality and nothing less than the hard working members of our fantastic NHS deserve in these trying times.”

Sole Trader (Billingsgate Market) adds, “It is a privilege to supply and support the Victoria at Holkham at these testing times in helping to feed our NHS heroes at the Queen Elizabeth.”

The Holkham Hall Courtyard Café has also donated all perishable goods and food products to the hospital to provide snacks and sustenance to NHS workers. In addition, the Go Help scheme has seen a large number of volunteers come forward from across the local area of Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea to take part in daily ring arounds to local vulnerable people who are currently self-isolating to help pick up groceries or prescriptions and try to negate feelings of loneliness that isolation can bring.

Helping Hands for Hungry Heroes is proof of what good can come from collaboration and a passion to do good, even when the going is tough.

25th November 2019- Little Mix announce Summer 2020 Tour including a show at Holkham Hall

World’s Biggest Girl Band to Headline Stadiums Across the UK

HOLKHAM HALL, NORFOLK – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2020

Pop superstars Little Mix are taking their unmissable live show on the road next year with their 21-date Summer 2020 tour. The world’s biggest girl band will perform to fans across England, Scotland and Wales including a show at Holkham Hall on Saturday 18 July 2020.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday 28 November 2019 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.lhgtickets.com

The tour will see Little Mix perform some of their greatest hits including ‘Woman Like Me’, ‘Touch’, ‘Shout Out to My Ex’, ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Wings’.

Summer 2020 tour dates are:

JUNE

• Fri 26 – Falkirk, The Falkirk Stadium

• Sat 27 – St Helens, R.F.C Stadium

• Sun 28 - Cardiff, Cardiff City Stadium

• Tues 30 – Peterborough, The Weston Homes Stadium

JULY

•Thurs 02 - Southampton, The Ageas Bowl

•Fri 03 - Plymouth, Home Park Stadium

•Sat 04 – London, American Express presents BST Hyde Park

•Sun 05 – Lancashire, Lytham Festival

•Thurs 09 – Gloucester, Kingsholm Stadium

•Fri 10 – Colchester, JobServe Community Stadium

• Sat 11 – Colwyn Bay, Stadiwm Zip World

• Sun 12 - Hull, Hull College Craven Park Stadium

• Tues 14 – Ardingly, South of England Event Centre

• Thurs 16 - Durham, Emirates Riverside

• Fri 17 - Leicester, Fischer County Ground

• Sat 18 – Norfolk, Holkham Hall

• Sun 19 – Canterbury, The Spitfire Ground

• Tues 21 – Scarborough, Open Air Theatre

• Fri 24 – Carlisle, Bitts Park

• Sat 25 – Ayr, Ayr Racecourse

• Sun 26 – Aberdeen, Hazlehead Park

Speaking about the Summer 2020 Tour, the group said: “Performing live is our favourite thing to do as a band, we love it. Our last Summer tour in 2018 was one of our favourites ever, so we can’t wait for some more brilliant outdoor shows next year. We want everyone to come party with us in the sunshine!”

Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, CEO of LHG Events, promoters for the Holkham Hall concert said: “Thrilled to announce Little Mix at Holkham Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mixers across Norfolk to see the world’s biggest girl band first hand in what will be an amazing show!”

Little Mix have firmly established their reputation as one of the most phenomenal groups around. Alongside massive tours of Europe, Australia, Japan and the US, the group have just completed their mammoth LM5 Arena Tour which took in cities across Europe, the UK and Ireland including an amazing five sold out dates at London’s O2 Arena.

Since 2011, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have not only established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts, but as a global pop phenomenon. They have fully cemented their status as the world’s biggest girl band, with the quartet asserting dominance in the charts album after album.

They have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, collected more than 17 million Spotify listeners, received more than 3 billion Youtube views, and collated 12 billion streams worldwide. Record sales have seen them notch up a total of four UK No.1 singles, four platinum-selling albums and nine platinum selling singles, surpassing a record previously held by the Spice Girls. Their 2016 album ‘Glory Days’ was the biggest selling album by a female group this millennium in the UK, alongside being named the longest-reigning Top 40 album for a girl group ever.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday 28 November 2019 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.lhgtickets.com

At least 75p from every ticket sale will be donated to Nordoff Robbins* - a charity that uses the power of music therapy to enrich the lives of people affected by life limiting illness, isolation or disability.