A ten-minute drive from Helhoughton finds one of Norfolk’s most beautiful stately homes and remains one of England’s finest Palladian houses. Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.
Houghton is currently the home of the Marquess of Cholmondeley and his wife, Rose Cholmondeley. Lord Cholmondeley is a direct descendant of Sir Robert Walpole.
The State Rooms on the first floor were sumptuously decorated by William Kent, with painted ceilings and suites of carved and gilded furniture. These rooms 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.
Every year Houghton hosts various art exhibitions on a grand scale and have featured many international artists such as Damien Hirst, Henry Moore, Anish Kapoor and Ernst Gamperl.
Please note that Houghton Hall is open to the public on a seasonal basis.
