England: Stately Homes and Seaside Castles of Norfolk 5192
England: Stately Homes and Seaside Castles of Norfolk 5192
England: Stately Homes and Seaside Castles of Norfolk 5192
5 Days
Visiting: Oxburgh Estate, King's Lynn, Castle Rising, Holt, Sandringham, Sheringham, BLICKLING ESTATE, Holkham Hall, Hoveton Hall, Wolterton Hall, Mannington Hall
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BPCN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
Our historical tour of Norfolk begins as we travel through verdant rolling countryside to our first stately home, the 500-year-old Oxburgh Hall, a survivor from the War of the Roses, followed by a visit to one of Britain’s largest and best-preserved keeps, Castle Rising. We also visit the Blickling Estate, a stunning Jacobean mansion set in magnificent parklands and glorious gardens. After a brief trip on the North Norfolk Heritage Railway, we head to what is one of Norfolk’s most famous stately homes, Sandringham, the much-loved retreat of the British monarchy, where we have the chance to enjoy a memorable afternoon tea followed by a private guided tour. The Palladian-style Holkham Hall, home to the Earls of Leicester, and the charming, moated manor of Hindringham Hall are next on our visit list, with private access to the beautifully tended gardens included at the latter. Another Palladian-style house features as we visit Wolterton Park, as well as the Regency house Hoveton Hall, where we will meet the current owner. Finally, we join Lady Walpole at her ancestral family home, Mannington Hall, for a guided tour and light lunch before we return to our original joining points.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Oxburgh Estate, King's Lynn, Castle Rising
Accommodation Name: Best Western Knights Hill Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart from our pickup points and head through the picturesque East Anglian countryside to the first of our stately homes of Norfolk, Oxburgh Hall, a stunning moated country house built in 1482 at the peak of the War of the Roses by the Bedingfeld family, which today remains the ancestral family home. Having endured much over the last 500 years, Oxburgh has managed to survive religious persecution, the ravages of Civil War and threats of demolition. We delve inside this historic house and discover the long-standing legacy of the 6th Baronet who created much of what can be seen today, including the gothic Victorian interiors and the ornate architectural additions that are reflective of the more romantic view of Oxburgh’s medieval past. As we head outside, the gardens are a mixture of formal and wilderness, with the walled garden and French parterre adding splashes of colour and seasonal activity.
This afternoon we head to Castle Rising, nestled in the village of the same name and one of the largest, best preserved and most extravagantly decorated keeps to be found in England. It is encircled by some 20 acres of earthworks and its construction is thought to have been started in 1138 by the Norman lord William d’Albini for his wife. Later in the 14thcentury it became the home to Queen Isabella, the widow and alleged murderess of the King Edward II. Today the castle is owned and managed by Lord Howard of Rising.
We then continue to our hotel in King’s Lynn where dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 2
Location: King's Lynn, Holt, Sandringham, Sheringham, BLICKLING ESTATE
Accommodation Name: Best Western Knights Hill Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We depart breakfast we depart for the Blickling Estate, a jaw-dropping Jacobean mansion surrounded by magnificent gardens, historic parklands and delightful meadows. Encompassing the main house, the formal gardens have been developed over three centuries with inspiring thoughtful planting and the wider parklands are gently rolling and are excellent for exploring on foot. Inside the mansion there is much to explore including the once principal room of many Jacobean houses, the Great Hall, which has since been converted to a grand entrance hall featuring a staircase by Sir John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire. We will see the featured reliefs of  Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn which are said to have been inspired by the original hall’s design. The other rooms to discover include the Long Gallery, an exceptional room built by Sir Henry intended for social activities in the event of bad weather; the Peter the Great room designed to showcase the tapestry gifted to the 2nd Earl by Catherine the Great of Russia and the State Bedroom, one of the best late 18th-century rooms at the estate. Here, above the fireplace, we can see a portrait of Sir Henry Hobart that was painted in 1624.
Early this afternoon we take the short trip to Sheringham where we find the North Norfolk Railway and embark on a nostalgic trip aboard the heritage railway that runs from the Victorian seaside town of Sheringham to the charming Georgian town of Holt. This relaxing journey only takes only 25 minutes, but it is one that winds through the countryside embracing the slower pace of the Norfolk life.
Later we re-join our coach and head to the well-loved royal retreat of Sandringham which has been the private home to generations of British monarchs. On arrival we have a delightful and quintessentially British afternoon tea accompanied by a lovely glass of sparkling wine. Sandringham House was originally built in 1870 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who later became King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and has been passed down through subsequent generations. The main ground floor is open to the public and the decor remains largely unchanged from Edwardian times. There is a vast collection of items to be seen all around Sandringham many of which have been gifts bought by members of Russian and European Royalty as well as many articles the previous monarchs have collected. There are numerous family portraits adorning the walls of Sandringham which also houses a fascinating collection of oriental arms and armour that was brought here from the Far East and India in 1876. We enjoy a private guided tour which concludes with Afternoon Tea. Afterwards we will head back to the hotel for a light supper.
Day 3
Location: Hindringham Hall Gardens and Holiday Cottages, Holkham Hall
Accommodation Name: Best Western Knights Hill Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we head to the grand Palladian-style mansion Holkham Hall, which has an enviable coastal position surrounded by lush rolling parklands abundant with wildlife. This magnificent house is the home of the Earls of Leicester and was originally constructed by the architect William Kent. We will enjoy a tour of the house showcasing the state rooms which have glorious collections of ancient statuary, original pieces of furniture and tapestries. There is also a vast collection of art on show including paintings by artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and Gainsborough. We also have the chance to visit the Holkham Stories Experience which delves into more detail about the estates 400-year history, the present estate and future plans.
This afternoon we take the short journey to Hindringham Hall, a delectable little moated manor house that looks as though it has been plucked straight from a storybook. Surrounded by a medieval moat, fishponds, walled vegetable garden and delightful flowering borders this Tudor manor is a true picture of perfect country living. Although we are only able to view the house from the outside, we are treated to the beautiful gardens in which we can enjoy a private tour with lots of quaint corners to explore with the sweet smell of roses lingering in the air. We then head back to our hotel for the remainder of the evening with dinner served in the restaurant.
Day 4
Location: Hoveton Hall, Wolterton Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast which we depart for Hoveton Hall, which has been in the Buxton family since 1946 and is a much-loved family home. We have a tour of the house with the owner followed by some free time to explore the gardens and enjoy some light refreshments. The house itself is a fantastically preserved Regency house of Gault brick with a slate roof that was originally built by Humphrey Repton between 1809 and 1812. The house is set in an estate spanning over 620 acres and boasts a wonderfully colourful garden. In May, we should be able to see the azaleas and rhododendrons steal the limelight with a kaleidoscope of colours that has been referred to as one of the best to be found in Norfolk.
This afternoon we head to Wolterton Hall, set in over 150 acres of sculptured parkland designed by the notable Charles Bridgeman for Horatio Walpole. Wolterton Hall was designed by Thomas Ripley in which the rooms are set around two staircases and are lit by overhead lights. The rooms within the house are typically Palladian as is the enormous arched window in the Venetian Room. The state rooms are blessed with marble fireplaces carved by Richard Fisher of York as well as featuring intricately moulded cornices and ceilings. The American walnut that has been used in the doors was a gift to Horatio from Queen Caroline. The Saloon is double height and features Brussels 18th century tapestries, Princess Mary’s Persian carpet, Osler Chandelier and luxurious gilt furniture. We have in depth tour of the house and the garden followed by some light refreshments in the Saloon.
Day 5
Location: Mannington Hall
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we depart for Mannington Hall, a charming moated medieval manor house and home to the Walpole family where we join Lady Walpole for a tour of her estate. Built in the mid-15th century and later purchased by Horatio, diplomat brother of Sir Robert Walpole sometime in the 18th century. It was later extended in the 1860s by the Earls of Orford and has remained within the family ever since. After our tour and some time to enjoy the gardens featuring themed borders, Victorian follies, a wildflower meadow and even a ruined church we enjoy a light lunch before we take to the road to return to our original joining points.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Services of a professional tour manager
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
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Meals - as per the itinerary
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All visits as described in the itinerary
Check out our Q&As
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.