Holkham Hall is an 18th-century country house located adjacent to the village of Holkham, Norfolk, England.
With a stunning location on the north Norfolk coast and at the heart of a thriving 25,000 acre estate, Holkham Hall is described as an exceptional place, rich in history, architecture and wildlife. The seat of the Earls of Leicester, this elegant 18th century mansion is still very much a lived-in family home which the family take pride in sharing with visitors.
The hall is an elegant 18th century Palladian style house, based on designs by William Kent and built by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester. The Marble Hall is a spectacular introduction to this imposing building, with its 50ft pressed plaster dome ceiling and walls of English alabaster, not marble as its name implies. Stairs lead to magnificent state rooms displaying superb collections of ancient statuary, original furniture, tapestries and paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Claude, Gaspar Poussin and Gainsborough.
The Hall is a member of the Treasure Houses group which consists of ten of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Each has its own unique charm and all combine together to give a fascinating insight into life in England over the centuries.
Holkham Hall is also a member of the Historic Houses Association. Formed in 1973, the HHA exists to provide practical advice and professional services to private owners, and to represent them in their effort to preserve this vital part of our heritage in the interest of the nation.
ACCESSIBILITY
For the wheelchair user
The accessible parking bays are located closest to the attractions and near to the area for coach parking. On arrival in Holkham Park, you will be directed by our car parking attendants to this designated area. From the accessible parking area there is a hardcore roadway leading to the main courtyard and ticket office.
Visiting the Hall
Visitors with particular access requirements to the hall can be dropped off outside on the gravel driveway. The driver will be asked to re-park in the nearest accessible car parking bay. The main entrance can be accessed by an all-weather metal ramp. Once inside visitors are able to gain access to the first floor State Rooms by using an innovative new stair lift. Assisted by hall staff, the ‘Jolly Stairclimber’ can take most types of manual wheelchair up the staircase in the Marble Hall. The equipment, which works like a mini-tank, climbs up the stairs using a self-propelled mechanism and rubber tracks. Once you have visited the state rooms, you will be brought back down to the Marble Hall using the same process. Elsewhere in the hall there is full access. Please be aware that there is a weight limit of 20 stones/137 kilograms (person and wheelchair) when using this apparatus.
We apologise, but the stairclimber is not suitable for electric wheelchairs. Where this is a problem, we are happy for visitors to transfer into one of our two wheelchairs, if this is possible, to be taken up the staircase and continue their visit.
An accessible lavatory is available in the courtyard lavatory complex. The terrain is variable - from gravel outside the hall, to parkland and hardcore paths and roadways as well a cobbled courtyard surface.
Walled Garden
Accessible parking is available at the walled garden. The terrain is accessible but is uneven in places. There are lavatories (portable-style) at the walled garden.
Holkham Park
An accessible lavatory is available in the courtyard lavatory complex.
For the visually impaired
We can offer a large print transcript and a transcript in Braille.
Click here to download a detailed access statement (PDF) providing information about the facilities available at Holkham for people with access requirements.
