Heacham Manor’s guide to Norfolk’s stately homes
A King and Queen, Lords and Ladies… Norfolk is home to some of the UK’s most impressive stately homes and formal gardens. Book a stay (LINK TO https://heacham-manor.co.uk/) at Heacham Manor and enjoy our tour of the county’s grand estates and landscaped parks, which easily give Downton Abbey a run for its money.
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk
‘Dear old Sandringham, the place I love better than anywhere else in the world,’ wrote King George V. Four monarchs later, King Charles III and Queen Camilla still enjoy time at the 20,000 Royal Estate, just six miles from Heacham Manor. The Jacobean-style house was built by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1870 and was first opened to the public by the King’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. A tour of eight of the house’s formal rooms and 60-acre gardens is a delight, particularly in summer. Each monarch has undertaken changes to the grounds, and King Charles is reinstating an Edwardian parterre on the lawn, ahead of the estate hosting a new RHS Show in 2026.
Houghton Hall, Norfolk
Just a short distance from the Sandringham Estate, Houghton Hall is a hidden gem that is no less historic than its Royal neighbour. Built in the 1720s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, the estate is now the residence of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, a direct descendant of Sir Robert. While the Palladian Hall, Walled Garden and resident Fallow Deer are reminiscent of nearby Holkham, in recent years the estate has carved a niche for itself with an annual summer exhibition of modern art – previous artists in residence have included Damien Hirst, Henry Moore, Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley. This year’s installation by British sculptor Stephen Cox is set across the park, gardens and interiors of Houghton Hall and displays the artist’s stunning works in marble, alabaster and porphyry.
Holkham Hall, Norfolk
For more Palladian majesty, Holkham Hall and its Walled Garden are arguably the jewel in the coast’s crown with a species-rich National Nature Reserve and world-famous beach to boot. There is plenty to see and do, from visiting the Marble Hall, State Rooms, attics and cellars with one of the knowledgable guides, or taking a tractor tour of the parkland to spot the hall’s original Ice House, Obelisk and resident Fallow Deer. With summer holiday activities for younger guests, open air theatre, art workshops, cycle hire and a high ropes course, there’s something for every age and appetite. And if you enjoy visiting the estate, why not book a magical return for Heacham Manor’s Holkham by Candlelight Break in December and see the Hall in all its festive splendour!
National Trust, Norfolk
Venturing further afield, don’t miss Norfolk’s National Trust properties, each of which has a fascinating story to tell.
The Jacobean red-bricked Blickling Estate, near Aylsham, was built in 1616 on the ruins of a Tudor building, the birthplace of Anne Boleyn whose portrait hangs in the hall. The Hall’s library is one of England’s most historically significant collections of manuscripts and books, and the 55-acre garden is a joy to explore on a summer’s day.
A short drive from Blickling, Felbrigg Hall is also a Jacobean house with a fine Georgian interior, and the adjoining Felbrigg Woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
West of Heacham Manor, nestled between King’s Lynn and Swaffham, the Oxburgh Estate is a striking sight mirrored in the house’s tranquil moat. The family home of the Bedingfields since 1482, the manor house sits alongside one of England’s last surviving chalk rivers and has a dramatic Victorian Gothic interior punctuated with magnificent artworks. A recent £6m restoration project revealed insights into the house and family’s story – devout Catholics, they offered a refuge to clergy during the English Reformation and you can still see the secret priest hole where many hid to escape persecution!
Historic and beautiful Norfolk’s stately homes are a pleasure to explore so book a stay at Heacham Manor and be inspired by Norfolk’s heritage hotspots this summer.