Press Centre

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11th October 2019 - Holkham Estate hosts an array of unique and magical Christmas festivities for all the family.

Enjoy an outstanding festive winter retreat to Norfolk. Holkham Estate hosts an array of unique and magical Christmas festivities for all the family.

Enjoy a festive day out at the Holkham Estate in north Norfolk and experience a sensational calendar of seasonal events – many new for this year - including an exclusive screening of ‘Nativity’ by Martha Fiennes in the Chapel, and a one-off opportunity to meet the designers and makers behind Christmas at Holkham with the Countess of Leicester, festive wreath-making and gift-wrapping masterclasses.

Thursday 14th November – Monday 30th December 2019 (Park, Gift Shop and Café open until Sunday 6th January)

This Christmas, experience a wonderland of festive delights, as Holkham Hall opens its doors to a variety of spectacular seasonal celebrations. Visitors will leave the coldness of winter at the door as they enter the magic that is Christmas at Holkham. From November to December, the privately owned 25,000 acre estate will be hosting an array of festive events against the sumptuous backdrop of the historical state rooms, beautifully adorned with decorations which can be admired by twinkling candlelight, as well as offering indulgent locally-sourced treats and gifts for all the family, making it the perfect setting for a festive winter getaway.

NEW! ESCAPE THE CHRISTMAS CHAOS AND ENJOY A CANDLELIGHT EXPERIENCE FOLLOWED BY A UNIQUE SCREENING OF THE IMMERSIVE, MOVING-IMAGE ARTWORK ’NATIVITY’ BY MARTHA FIENNES.

This Christmas, Holkham is delighted to present ‘Nativity’, a pioneering, moving-image artwork by award-winning director and artist, Martha Fiennes. After exploring the beautifully decorated state rooms by flickering candlelight, visitors will have the exclusive and rare opportunity to enter the Chapel, where they can sit and immerse themselves in the mystical moving artwork. This unique opportunity will showcase Martha Fiennes’ concept of the Nativity, inspired by many great Renaissance paintings which have portrayed this story, with the artwork itself generating imagery which unfolds seamlessly and continuously via randomising algorithms coded by a computer. Music written specifically for the artwork by composer, Magnus Fiennes will accompany the exhibition, creating a mesmerising and highly immersive experience in which no two viewing experiences are the same. Visitors can also enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco, elderflower presse and live music in the Marble Hall on arrival.

HOW: The exhibition will run from 27th – 30th December between 3pm – 9pm. Tickets are priced at £35 for adults and £17.50 for children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.

NEW! MEET THE CREATORS OF CHRISTMAS WITH CHRISTMAS TREE DRESSING, CHAMPAGNE AND AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE COUNTESS OF LEICESTER ON SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER.

Holkham Hall is delighted to be opening its doors for a unique chance to meet some of the faces behind Christmas at Holkham. The Countess of Leicester will welcoming guests to the Hall, where they will have the chance to hear how the original concepts are dreamt up by her and her team, and how the artists and makers turn these visions into reality to transform the Hall state rooms into magical spaces. Visitors will also learn how to dress their own Christmas tree in the magnificent style of the Saloon tree and get the chance to meet the creators of some of the show-stopping decorations, alongside entertainment from talented pianists and Harpist Zoe Arnold. Enjoy a glass of champagne in the Marble Hall on arrival before exploring the rooms by candlelight, during which the estate Archivist and Librarian, as well as the room stewards, will be able to answer any questions about the estate’s history and decorations.

HOW: The event will run on 7th December between 6pm – 9pm. Tickets are priced at £45 for adults. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.

NEW! WRAP UP FOR CHRISTMAS ENJOY A MASTERCLASS ON GIFT WRAPPING BY ‘GIFT WRAP GURU’ JANE MEANS.

Visitors are invited to a merry masterclass on how to wrap to perfection with ‘Gift Wrap Guru’, Jane Means. Jane will provide expert tutorials on how to enhance a humble gift with embellishments, learn how to tackle those awkward shapes and how to make your own bespoke gift bag. This masterclass will take Christmas wrapping to a luxurious level, with a side of thriftiness as Jane shows visitors how they can upcycle vintage treasures and reuse unusual papers. Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies will be available for added festive spirit. Jane Means has been a gift-wrapping advisor and consultant for over two decades with prestigious clients including Fortum & Mason, Selfridges, Dior, Jo Malone and Victoria Beckham. She also regularly appears on TV and is the author of ‘Gift Wrapped’.

HOW: The event will run on 28th November between 1:00 – 3:30pm. Tickets are priced at £45, find out more here.

CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS WITH A CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF THE HISTORIC STATE ROOMS.

Visitors can embark on a magical journey through Holkham’s magnificent state rooms on the estate’s popular Candlelight Tours this Christmas. The 45-minute tours will give visitors the chance to see the spectacular state rooms beautifully adorned with sweet-scented pine trees, opulent decorations and twinkling lights. The guided tour will enlighten visitors on

the inspiration behind each magical setting within the rooms and provide insight into how the sensational decorations are made.

HOW: The Candlelight Tours will run on select dates between 1st -18th December. Tickets are priced at £25 for adults and £12.50 for children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.

CHRISTMAS WITH A CONSCIENCE STEP INTO A UNIQUE WINTER WONDERLAND OF ORIGAMI.

This Christmas, Holkham’s historical South Dining Room will be transformed into a winter wonderland by Norfolk-based couturier, Henrietta Faire, with inspiration taken from the sky, land and water surrounding Holkham, with an Origami twist. In addition to this, Holkham will also be working with London based stylist, Alice King, who is creating a bespoke large-scale paper garland for one of the main mantlepieces in the hall. Taking into consideration the estate’s focus on conservation and sustainability, it is no surprise that Christmas at Holkham should have this focus on natural materials. Visitors will even be wowed with a very special and unique Christmas tree, made purely from snowflake paper decorations and reclaimed wood from the estate.

BIGGER THAN EVER BEFORE! TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS TO LOCALLY SOURCED WINTER DELIGHTS AT HOLKHAM’S ANNUAL FESTIVE FOOD FAIR.

This December, Holkham will be welcoming back its popular Festive Food Fair, where visitors can indulge in a whole feast of locally sourced festive delights in the elegant Lady Elizabeth Wing and courtyard. Visitors can indulge in sumptuous delights such as homemade jams, chutneys, cheeses, Norfolk gins and much more, made by the best local and regional producers in Norfolk. Visitors can also enjoy a warming mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate, plus a tasty treat from the concession stalls whilst taking in the festive atmosphere. Once again, Holkham’s live cookery theatre, hosted by Charlie Hodson and a selection of local chefs will keep visitors entertained throughout the day, providing inspiration for new and exciting ways to make a spectacular Christmas dinner.

HOW: Holkham’s Festive Food Fair will run on 14th & 15th December from 10am – 4pm. Please find more information here.

LEARN HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN FESTIVE WREATHS WITH SPECIAL TUTORIALS BY EXPERT FLORISTS.

Master the art of wreath making this Christmas at these engaging workshops where guests will create their own festive wreaths with expert tuition from florist, Jo Constance and her teams. Held in the Lady Elizabeth Wing, visitors will create wreaths using fresh greenery from Holkham’s very own parkland. To get visitors fully into the Christmas spirit, they can also enjoy a complimentary glass of warming mulled wine and a mince pie.

HOW: Holkham’s festive wreath making will run on select dates between 2nd – 11th December. Tickets are priced at £55, including parking and refreshments. For more information and tickets, please find a link here.

‘AN AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS’ ENJOY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TALES, TREATS AND SINGING ELVES.

Join the festivities at Holkham for a very special ‘Audience with Father Christmas’ as he pays a visit with Mother Christmas in the Saloon to treat little ones to magical Christmas tales and the all-singing, all-dancing band of Ukulele elves. Visitors will be entertained as the elves lead guests through the enchanting State rooms but keep an eye out as these mischievous elves may have a trick or two up their sleeves! Little ones will also be treated to an early Christmas present whilst parents can sip on a glass of Prosecco or soft drink.

HOW: Father Christmas will be visiting on select dates between 14th – 23rd December. Tickets are priced at £25 for adults and children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.

‘NEXT STOP CHRISTMAS’ RELISH SPARKLING FESTIVE SONG FROM BRITAIN’S FOREMOST CHAMBER OPERA COMPANY, DIVA OPERA.

Diva Opera’s delightful selection of highlights of opera musicals, together with a few season favourites is guaranteed to keep everyone’s spirits high. The narrative tells the story of strangers on a train, all with somewhere important to be for Christmas - but will the fates (and the weather) allow them to get there on time? It looks like a bumpy ride is in store.

HOW: Performances of Next Stop Christmas are on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th December, 7pm. Tickets are priced at £42 (Auditorium), £35 (Gallery – restricted view). Tickets are available to book online, please find a link here.

UNIQUE FESTIVE SHOPPING AT HOLKHAM’S CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENINGS.

This November, Holkham will be hosting a series of Christmas Shopping Evenings, where visitors can soak up the wonderful Christmas atmosphere whilst finding the perfect gift for a loved one. Holkham gift shop will be filled to the brim with unique and wonderful presents, including a selection of exquisite tree and room decorations, scented candles, Christmas cards, puddings, chutneys, festive hampers and much more. Visitors can also enjoy an extra 10% off all purchases and once all shopped out, can enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the Courtyard Café. A gift-wrapping service will also be available to help remove any unwanted last-minute wrapping pressure come Christmas Eve!

HOW: Christmas Shopping Evenings will run on 14th, 21st & 28th November at 4pm – 6:30pm. Please find more information here.

10th October 2019 - Award-winning Group Visits to Holkham

Unforgettable and award-winning group visits to Holkham - plus combined cultural trips to Houghton Hall.

There is something for everyone at Holkham; from private guided tours with specialist talks on rare books and manuscripts, to tractor trailer tours of the estate and walled garden wanders. Combine all of this with fantastic catering options, plus dazzling Christmas events, and your group will be talking about it for years to come. Plus this year, Holkham has teamed up with nearby Houghton Hall offering groups not one, but two memorable visits.

Holkham is a varied and vast estate comprising over 25,000 acres, including extensive parkland, the Holkham National Nature Reserve and beach, a six-acre walled garden undergoing a renaissance, culminating with the impressive eighteenth-century hall itself. With such a diverse landscape and history, there is something for everyone, to suit any and all interests your group may have. Holkham can arrange truly unique visits, the most popular being private guided tours of the state rooms and Candlelight Tours at Christmas, but special bespoke packages can also be arranged including private tours of the walled garden, behind the scenes attic and cellar tours of the hall, a specialist talk on the impressive manuscript collection, with original examples at hand, or a fascinating tractor trailer tour to explore the rolling parkland, home to a herd of Fallow Deer.

NEW! Combined visits with Houghton Hall - Ancestral home of Britain’s first Prime Minister.

Thinking of visiting north Norfolk for a few days? Why not pair your visit to Holkham Hall with Houghton Hall too? Holkham has teamed up with Houghton to offer groups of 15 or more people an incredible saving of 30% off standard admission, when visiting both venues within seven days of each other. Together Holkham and Houghton are two of the country’s finest examples of Palladian architecture, and each have something unique to offer to cultural and historical enthusiasts.

Holkham Hall, the seat of the Earls of Leicester, is a lived-in family home which the family take pride in sharing with visitors and groups. Based on designs by William Kent and built by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, the hall is an exceptional place, rich in history and home to an exceptional collection of treasures including paintings, sculptures, original furniture, books and manuscripts.

Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. Designed by two defining British architects of the age, Colen Campbell and James Gibbs, and with lavish interiors by William Kent it is a must-see when in north Norfolk. Walpole amassed one of the greatest collections of European art in Britain and Houghton became a museum to the collections.

Celebrate the magic of Christmas together at Holkham.

The team at Holkham utterly adore Christmas. Planning starts in earnest from January for when the hall is festooned with greenery from the park, candles are lit, and doors are opened in December. Holkham’s unforgettable Christmas events have been described as “magical, enchanting, wonderful, impressive”, an “annual treat” and as “the perfect way to kick off advent” by the likes of the Sunday Telegraph and Elle Decoration. Each year the state rooms are lavishly decorated with a different theme in each room. Last year, guests were in awe of the Statue Gallery, which transformed into a wintery parterre garden, and at the North Dining Room, which became an enchanting fairy woodland. All senses are ignited, in atmospheric candlelight, and a Candlelight Tour of the hall is guaranteed to inspire and delight all who visit.

Groups can combine their festive trips with delicious catering options, from a deluxe afternoon tea, sandwiches, nibbles, and hot buffets, to a full festive Christmas lunch in the Courtyard Café. Catering for groups is available almost all year round and no visit to Holkham would be complete without a spot of retail therapy after lunch. The Gift Shop showcases the work of local artists and artisans and during the festive period, is full to the brim with tempting treats, decorations - as seen in the hall, and gifts galore.

Groups can indulge in several additional Christmas activities such as wreath making, using greenery from Holkham’s parkland, or a trip to the annual Festive Food Fair, which this year promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Contact us:
groups@holkham.co.uk
01328 713105
www.holkham.co.uk

1st October 2019 - The Holkham Estate unveils plans for Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe

Following the acquisition of the historic pub in Burnham Thorpe, The Holkham Estate is excited to announce plans to renovate, extend and re-open the Lord Nelson pub as a community nucleus, whilst creating employment opportunities in the surrounding area. On Wednesday 25th September, The Holkham Estate – including Managing Director, Peter Mitchell, the Holkham Property Team and Lucas Western architects – invited members of the local community to come together and share their ideas and visions for the pub before work begins. The team were overwhelmed with the impressive turnout of invested past patrons, which comprised of neighbours to those who travelled from as far as Leicestershire and Yorkshire.

Suggestions from attendees were captured, and included that the pub should “be open every day from 11am to 11pm”, “be for all including locals, walkers” and those wishing for “a simple bowl of soup or ploughman’s” to “lunch and dinner”, “have cycle parking”, “offer good quality local food”, “retain a traditional feel” and be “dog friendly”.

Earlier this year, The Holkham Estate announced the major investment in this important local landmark at a time when many local pubs are closing.

Peter Michell says: “The Holkham Estate is thrilled to be embarking on this next chapter in the history of the Lord Nelson, and to re-instate such an iconic landmark; one that is so important to residents. This event is the beginning of an exciting journey – one that will combine the expertise of our teams together with the passion of the local community, to ensure this historic local landmark lives up to Lord Nelson’s legacy.”

Originally named The Plough, the pub is known to have been frequented by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson when he returned to the Burnham Thorpe in the 1780s and 1790s. It was renamed in his honour in 1798 after the battle of the Nile (Abu Qir). Set a few miles inland from the beautiful north Norfolk coastline between the villages of Holkham and Burnham Market.

24th July 2019 - Holkham Estate acquires North Norfolk pub

The Holkham Estate acquires historic North Norfolk pub, The Lord Nelson at Burnham Thorpe

The Holkham Estate is pleased to announce that it has agreed terms with Suffolk-based pub retailer and brewer, Greene King, to purchase The Lord Nelson pub in the historical village of Burnham Thorpe.

Burnham Thorpe was the birthplace of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, after whom the pub is named. Originally named The Plough, the pub is known to have been frequented by Nelson when he returned to the Burnham Thorpe in the 1780s and 1790s. It was renamed in his honour in 1798 after the battle of the Nile (Abu Qir).

The village of Burnham Thorpe is located a few miles inland from the beautiful north Norfolk coastline between the villages of Holkham and Burnham Market. The Holkham Estate has taken the decision to invest in this important local landmark at a time when many local pubs are closing. The Lord Nelson is a focal point of the village positioned facing the River Burn, the village recreation grounds and the bowls club. Holkham Estate will be working closely with the local stakeholders to refurbish, improve and successfully reopen the pub, offering food, drink and a social hub for residents and visitors as well as creating jobs in the village

12th July 2019 - All Set For Holkham Country Fair Next Weekend

Press Release from Holkham Country Fair

The weather is set fair for a warm and sunny weekend, and with just ten days to go, the final countdown has started for the 2019 Holkham Country Fair on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July at Holkham Hall.

The north Norfolk location alone embodies this year’s theme: land, sea and sky. From equestrian stunt-riding to fishing, aerobatics to archery, shooting to dog agility, the event combines traditional countryside pursuits with high-adrenaline displays to ensure a great day out for everyone.

Alongside returning favourites such as the Household Cavalry Musical Ride (Sunday only), CJ’s Birds of Prey and Allcomers’ Dog Racing, the Grand Ring will host first-time appearances from the Broke FMX freestyle motocross team and a solo display by Steve Carver Aerobatics. Equestrian fans are in for a treat on Saturday with stunt riding and tricks from The Atkinson Action Horses and the City of Norwich Pipe Band will perform at both the opening and closing ceremonies.

The upcoming Fair will also see a large number of food-related events and demonstrations thanks to a new tie-up with Norfolk Restaurant Week. Chefs from a dozen of the county’s leading restaurants will be offering 45-minute insights into their own favourite dishes at a dedicated Cookery Theatre in association with Norfolk Cottages. All demonstrations are non-ticketed and included within the overall ticket price giving visitors even more value for money.

Sarah Green, Organiser at Holkham Country Fair, comments: “We believe that Holkham Country Fair is a fantastic opportunity to not only entertain our visitors but also to educate them. By teaming up with Norfolk Restaurant Week, show-goers can learn new recipes and culinary skills from the best chefs in the county.”

Some of the county’s most highly respected chefs will be sharing their personal stories and top tips including Scott Dougal of Wells Crab House, winner of Best Restaurant at the 2018 Eat Norfolk Food and Drink Awards, and Harry Farrow from The Anchor, Morston, one of just 16 businesses in the county to make the AA Pub Guide 2020.

The popular Fine Food Village to the north of the Hall will be jam-packed with tasty treats from over 50 artisan producers and stallholders serving up some of Norfolk’s best contemporary food and drink. Shoppers can also explore dozens of trade stands offering clothing, accessories, homewares and more complementing the overall countryside theme.

Those wishing to immerse themselves in the Fair for the full weekend can also camp in Holkham Park, with pitches for tents and caravans available just a short distance from the Showground to the north of the Hall.

Sarah concludes: “2019 is looking to be our best Fair yet. We’ve created a superb line-up of countryside attractions and non-stop entertainment, with plenty of new additions to previous years. And of course, it’s all set in beautiful surroundings at Holkham. We look forward to welcoming all visitors both returning and new next weekend.”

For more information or to book tickets visit www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk