Houghton Hall and Gardens Kings Lynn
Houghton Hall is a lavish mansion built for Britain’s first Prime Minister and housing a collection of model soldiers. There is so much to see and absorb at Houghton Hall and Gardens that only a personal visit will satisfy your thirst for inspiration and knowledge. Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. We are one of Norfolk’s most beautiful stately homes and remains one of England’s finest and well known Palladian houses. Houghton Hall was built with a collaboration between the two defining British architects of the age – Colen Campbell and James Gibbs – and with lavish interiors by William Kent. Houghton Hall was built with an eye to reflecting the wealth, taste, and power of its owner. During the eighteenth century, Walpole also amassed one of the greatest collections of European art in Britain, and Houghton became a museum to the collection. The centuries that followed would see the fate of Houghton and its remarkable contents hang in the balance.
Wonderful Houghton Hall and Gardens in Norfolk all for You
On Walpole’s death, The Hall passed to his son, and then to his grandson, the 3rd Earl of Orford, who was forced to sell Sir Robert’s picture collection to Catherine the Great of Russia due to debts that had amassed. At the end of the 18th Century, the house was inherited by the 1st Marquess of Cholmondeley, Sir Robert’s great grandson through his daughter, Mary. The Cholmondeleys only lived at Houghton for about ten years or so before moving back to their ancestral seat in Cheshire. Houghton was frequently on the market during the next century, and was rented out to a succession of tenants from 1884 to 1916. It was only when the future 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley and his wife, Sybil (nee Sassoon) took on the house just after the First World War, that it was restored to its former glory.
Houghton Hall and Gardens Ticket Prices
The State Rooms on the first floor (piano nobile) were sumptuously decorated by William Kent, with lavish painted ceilings and suites of carved and beautifully gilded furniture. These rooms would originally have been entered via outside steps leading to the Stone Hall, and were designed to impress Sir Robert Walpole’s distinguished guests. They were used for entertaining on a grand scale, and were also the backdrop for some of Walpole’s most valuable paintings. More…
We are perfect for events, functions, special occasions and celebrations including: Christmas parties, New Years Eve and Day, birthday party’s, christenings, engagement party’s, anniversary party’s, hen nights, stag dos, charity nights, wakes, business conferences, engagement parties, golf parties and many more.
Food and Drink
Map and Grounds
Gardens and Park
The Soldier Museum
The Stables and Gift Shop
Henry Moore at Houghton Hall
Damien Hirst
Educational School VisitsWhether you are local or just visiting beautiful Norfolk you will fully enjoy,learn and be inspired by visiting us. We hope to see you soon.