Houghton Hall is a fine Palladian mansion set in beautiful parkland.
The house was built in the 18th century for Sir Robert Walpole, Prime Minister to George I and George II. Walpole, who came from an old Norfolk family, planned the house for entertaining on a grand scale. His biennial 'Norfolk Congresses' at Houghton played an important part in the success of his political career.
The architect was originally believed to be Colen Campell but research suggests that the house may have been designed by James Gibbs, who added the Baroque corner domes in 1725 - 28.
The house was built by Thomas Ripley and the elaborate interior decoration was supervised by William Kent in 1726 - 31. Kent may also have designed the imposing brick-built stable block.
In 1779 Walpole's grandson, the 3rd Earl of Orford, sold Houghton's superb collection of Old Masters.
Most of the paintings were purchased by Catherine the Great of Russia and now form part of the collection in the Hermitage in St Petersburg.
In 1797 Houghton passed by inheritance to the 4th Earl of Cholmondeley and from then until the end of the First World War the building was leased out to tenants. As a result the interiors were not altered and the main state rooms now shown to visitors survive largely as they were in Walpole's day.
Houghton Hall is considered to be one of the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England.
The facades were constructed from stone brought by sea from Aislaby, near Whitby. The two main storeys consist of a 'rustick' or ground floor for everyday use and a piano nobile for the main state rooms.
Lower service blocks on either side are attached to the main house by curved colonades.
Houghton Hall is entered through a vaulted lower hall on the ground floor. From here a vast wooden staircase rises through the whole height of the house. The walls are hung with monochrome paintings of classical subjects by Kent and there is a 17th century bronze copy of the 'Borghese Gladiator'.
The first floor mostly consists of reception rooms.
The Hall and Saloon in the centre are flanked by two drawing rooms to the north and two dining rooms to the south.
The bedrooms are located at the side of the house. Kent decorated the rooms in the style of ancient Rome. The ceilings feature arabesques and other motifs copied from Roman interior decoration. Much of the solid-looking furniture was also designed by Kent.
The Common Parlour (originally a dining room) contains a portrait by Sargent of the last Marchioness of Cholmondeley who with her husband restored Houghton Hall after the First World War.
The magnificent two-storey Hall was inspired by the hall in the Queen's House in Greenwich, designed by Inago Jones. A gallery at first-floor level is supported by consoles. There is a portrait of Sir Robert Walpole by John Wootton on an easel and a bust of the great man by Rysbrack is set above the fireplace in front of a relief of a 'Sacrifice to Diana' by the same sculptor.
The Marble Parlour on the east side of the piano nobile was the formal dining room. The serving area was placed behind the arches either side of the vast marble fireplace. Above the fireplace is a classical relief depicting a 'Sacrifice to Bacchus' by Rysbrack. The ornately carved and upholstered chairs were once thought to be the work of Kent but were probably brought to Houghton by the Cholmondeley family.
The adjoining Cabinet Room was once hung with small paintings but after the picture sale of 1779 it was redecorated with Chinese wallpaper and Rococo mirrors.
The east wing contains two bedrooms separated by a dressing room. The bedrooms have superb state beds and Brussels tapestries. The dressing room has Mortlake tapestries woven in 1670 depicting the Stuart kings. The two thrones here were designed for the House of Lord by A.W.N. Pugin and were acquired by the 5th Marquess of Cholmondeley through his office as Lord Chamberlain.
On the north side of the house is the White Drawing Room. After the sale of Walpole's finest pictures this room was rehung with white silk in the early 19th century. There are pastels of Walpole's three sons by Rosalba Carrriera and some good 18th century French furniture from the collection of Sir Philip Sasson, brother of the late Lady Cholmondeley.
The splendid Saloon is the last room to be viewed. Here there is a coved ceiling, enriched cornice and a 'tabernacle frame' around the doorway to the Hall. The deep red damask wall hangings are original and are complemented by the upholstery of the armchairs designed by Kent which were originally placed around the walls.
In the north office wing is a splendid exhibition of over 20,000 model soldiers, part of a private collection of militaria.
Houghton Hall is surrounded by magnificent parkland.
The house is set among lawns close to the site of a deserted village. The village church and cross have survived. There is a restored walled garden.
The row of white-painted 18th century cottages near the gate to the park is one of the earliest surviving estate villages in the country.
2008: 23 Mar-28 Sept: Wed & Thur, Sun, Bank Holiday Mon 11:00-17:30 House: 13:30-17:00. (last entry 16:30)
Tel: 01485 528569 Houghton Hall Website
