NORTH NORFOLK’S Holkham Hall, the grand 18th-century country house near the village of Holkham, is once again embracing Christmas as it has undergone its annual creative transformation for the festive season.
The stately hall, which is set within 25,000 acres on the coast, proves to be a magical location for Christmas – think sparkling lights, opulent decorations, and scents of the festive season for Holkham Hall by Candlelight.
Expect a whole host of experiences, with a festive programme that includes An Audience with Father Christmas, The Christmas Market, Canine Carol Service, Carols in the Courtyard, and craft workshops with local and national makers.
Holkham Hall
The showstopper event, Holkham Hall by Candlelight, which runs until the 30th of December, offers a beautiful candlelit tour of the house, and it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the exquisitely decorated state rooms.
Every year, each room narrates a unique story that’s brought together thanks to a diverse group of talented artists and makers, with The Countess of Leicester and Catherine Zoll, Holkham’s Christmas Coordinator, spearheading the concept.
Interior of Holkham Hall
Catherine explains, “This year I am really looking forward to combining our traditional Christmas decorating techniques like floristry and baking with incredibly modern technologies such as digital mapping. Commissioning a gingerbread Holkham Hall, alongside the chance to animate some of our roman statues from the 1st to 2nd centuries is particularly exciting.”
Interior of Holkham Hall
Here, visitors are able to roam the rooms, on a self-led tour with Hall guides stationed in each room to share inspiration behind each installation. Beginning in the spectacular Marble Hall, complete with live music, before exploring the state rooms that have been transformed into stage sets, with a festive theme in mind.
Highlights include a show-stopping Christmas pudding by LillyPuds, a celebration of the gardener’s favourite bird, the robin, as well as statement tablescapes and plenty of locally grown Christmas trees and elegant ornaments that have been specially selected from European Christmas fairs.
Interior of Holkham Hall
Interior of Holkham Hall
The pièce de résistance? Well, it has to be Holkham’s 20ft Christmas tree that sits in the grand Saloon. It’s sourced from local growers at Salle Estate, and adorned with decorations in a warm palette of oranges, pinks and plums, and is set amongst magnificent mantels, created with help from the Fakenham and District Flower Club.
Interior of Holkham Hall
New for this year, Holkham has collaborated with Spectacular Projections on a 3D projection to the ‘crystal and ice’ themed Statue Gallery for an immersive festive experience. Local sound and lighting providers, Audio Resolution have created a sound experience in the Chapel, where visitors can reflect and enjoy the surroundings.
The tour finishes in the Old Kitchen, where there’s a huge ‘Gingerbread Holkham Hall’ created in collaboration with food artist Emily Garland. A feast for the eyes and the senses, with a perfectly festive theme.
by Felicity Carter
See more on holkham.co.uk and tickets are available here.