Holkham Hall, the stately home in north Norfolk, will be dressed in its festive finery this Christmas for Holkham Hall by Candlelight, a much-loved, unmissable opportunity to enjoy this festive season with friends and family. Holkham's wonderfully varied Christmas programme also includes The Christmas Market, Cut, Stick and Be Merry Craft Workshop and a Christmas Weaving Workshop.  

New and exclusive to Holkham Hall by Candlelight this year are installations by the much celebrated Luxmuralis, taking the form of two immersive sound and light displays with visuals created by Peter Walker and music by David Harper MSC. Luxmuralis is renowned for working with iconic landmarks including Lincoln Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral and many more. Alongside these are other Holkham highlights including a 'Pop Art' inspired design room and a 'Weddings' themed room where Lady Leicester's and Lady Glenconner's own wedding dresses will be on display for the first time. 

 

Holkham Hall by Candlelight

Throughout December Holkham Hall opens its doors to unveil its opulent Christmas decorations and show-stopping installations, with guided or self-guided tours lit by flickering candlelight. Every year, Holkham works with original and talented makers to deliver an inspiring and unforgettable experience for visitors, with Lady Leicester and Catherine Zoll, Christmas connoisseur, at the helm. 

During the tours, Holkham's knowledgeable guides will share how the installations were created and divulge the inspiration behind each enchanting scene, along with an overview of the rich history of the rooms. Afterwards, visitors are encouraged to head to Holkham's Stables Courtyard Gift Shop to discover baubles and decorations to purchase as a memento of their visit. Look out for the festive winter scene on the courtyard and shop windows, hand painted by local designer Georgia Kossowicz. A glass of Prosecco and a mince pie are included with each ticket.

 

The candlelight tour begins in the Marble Hall where visitors can enjoy live music and take in the magical scene of mistletoe and snowdrops, designed by Emmeli Kimhi. Stepping into the state rooms and taking centre stage in the North Dining Room will be the stunning wedding dresses of Lady Glenconner and Lady Leicester, designed in 1956 and 1996, respectively. The 'weddings' themed room will be complete with crystal, pearls, champagne glass towers and a decadent wedding cake created by Love Wedding Cakes.

 

Next, visitors will delight in the 'Ambient Winter' themed Statue Gallery, a fully immersive light projection experience by Luxmuralis. Visitors will be invited to sit or even lay down on the floor to fully appreciate the beauty of the installation. Further along in the tour and new for this year, visitors will be able to enter the Chapel where a second light installation by Luxmuralis promises to amaze.  

 

The South Drawing Room will be transformed into a pop art wonderland, created by stylist Alice King and cake designer and baker Claire Owen, with art work by modern artist Constance Read. Grand Christmas trees will also feature a special collection of limited-edition pop art baubles, which will be available for visitors to purchase in the Gift Shop. 

 

A magical autumn-themed room awaits in the Saloon, and the South Dining Room will enthral visitors in nostalgia, filled with traditional toys, trains, a puppet theatre and a rocking horse. The Landscape Room will embrace natural materials and modern floristry with a large wreath suspended from the ceiling. The tour will end in the Old Kitchen where a 'citrus Christmas' feast awaits, including exquisite Christmas bakes by Thida Bevington atop the show-stopping table. 

 

The Christmas Market (free entry)

Holkham's popular Christmas Market returns on 9th and 10th December in The Lady Elizabeth Wing and Courtyard. With over sixty local and regional producers showcasing artisan food, drink and gifts, there's plenty to taste and lots of gorgeous gifts to buy. Live music by Fakenham Town Band and Nelson's Shantymen will help visitors get into the festive spirit. 

 

Christmas Workshops (adults and children)

Holkham is hosting two Willow Weaving workshops for adults with Karen Bek on 30th November and 11th December. Taking place over the course of an entire day, Karen will teach the intricacies of weaving and provide the opportunity to create one large star decoration and a variety of smaller designs, including Christmas trees and a flat weave reindeer. Tickets are £90 each and available to purchase from Karen Bek's website. 

For little ones, Cut, Stick and Be Merry workshops are taking place on 2nd and 16th December. Led by Holkham's learning team, kids will be given a step-by-step tutorial of how to make a variety of special Christmas creations whilst singing along to all the Christmas hits.

Running for 90 minutes, children will have the opportunity to make up to three magical creations to take home. (Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years of age.)

 

For further information and additional high-resolution images please contact:

Sophie Comyn and Kirsty Bizaoui, Hunt Communications:

holkham@hunt-communications.com

 

ABOUT HOLKHAM

Holkham is a thriving rural estate set on one of the most beautiful stretches of the north Norfolk coastline. Built in the mid-18th century by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, the Palladian Hall is a masterpiece. The estate comprises the hall, deer park, the world famous Holkham National Nature Reserve and beach as well as a thriving collection of businesses centred on property, farming, hospitality and leisure employing more than 250 people.

 

Holkham's vision is to be the UK's most pioneering and sustainable rural estate. Custodians of wonderful natural capital, landscape and wildlife, Holkham endeavours to attract, inform and inspire those who visit whilst also being a great place to work where talent is developed, and the human touch is never lost. Holkham is also earnest and passionate about its role within the local community, in which it strives to be a force for good in helping local communities to thrive by providing employment, homes, and support for local businesses and charities.

 

ABOUT LUXMURALIS 

Luxmuralis is an Artistic Collaboration.

The visual artwork is created by Artist and Sculptor Peter Walker FRSA MRBS ARBSA (www.peterwalkersculptor.com) whose work adorns towns and cities both nationally and internationally consisting of large-scale sculpture, commissioned and bespoke sculptural works as well as paintings, drawings, film, and sound and light installations. 

The sound compositions you hear is bespoke music created, produced and recorded by David Harper MSC ( www.DavidHarperMusic.com ) who has written and produced music for a wide variety of TV, film and theatre productions incorporating sonic art, mixed media and art installations over his expansive career in the music industry over the last twenty years.

Together through art they transform and reinterpret the sense of place in unique spaces both in the UK and abroad; creatively helping an audience to take a physical and emotional journey to identify with subjects and message of the artworks created through sound, Son-et-Lumiere and sculptural installations.

Luxmuralis spectacular sound and light shows have been seen in a variety of places including most recently: Westminster Abbey; Chatsworth House; St Pauls Minneapolis; Limburg Dom; Oxford Bodleian Museum; and many UK Cathedrals.