What’s your idea of a perfect summer’s day out? Whether you’re looking for beautiful landscape to take the family on a bike ride or walk through nature, somewhere to get creative with all kinds of art forms, affordable days out for everyone to enjoy, or even a bit of history – Holkham ticks every box. This summer, it’s the place to be for a great Norfolk adventure!
Read on as we hear from Holkham themselves on their busy events calendar and how you can get involved this summer! And for even more wonderful days out in Norfolk, be sure to check out the rest of the VisitNorwich website, including our families page for even more activities, places to find great food and drink, and places to stay!
Where better to enjoy summer days out than at Holkham, with its expansive beach, stunning parkland and Palladian hall? The Holkham team has been hard at work to create an exciting line up of activities and events to suit any age… And be enjoyed whatever the weather! Let’s dive into what you can get up to at Holkham this summer.
While there’s so many planned events to enjoy at Holkham this summer, you’re welcome to simply go to Holkham Park and have fun! The Woodland Play Area is the perfect place for your little one to swing, slide and climb, or pick up a ‘summer spotter’ sheet and see what you can find as you explore the parkland or follow the nature trail. Whether you take your bikes or explore on foot, pack a picnic or even some paints, you can park your car at Holkham Park for just £6 from 9am until 5pm. Alternatively, if you can get there on foot, bicycle or via public transport, you can enjoy the parkland for free!
As well as the exciting programme of events, outlined below, a visit to one or all of Holkham’s attractions always makes for a great day out. The Hall’s magnificent state rooms are well worth a look around. It’s also lovely and cool on a hot day! Meanwhile, a wander around the Walled Garden (and its brand new exhibition room – Walled Garden Stories) is sure to delight, and the Holkham Stories Experience will teach you all about Holkham’s rich history and innovative, sustainable future.
If you love delicious street food, great vibes and relaxing with your friends and family, look no further than Holkham’s Feast in the Park. Taking place daily until Thursday, August 29, Feast in the Park sees some of Norfolk’s best food pop-ups gather in the expansive parkland in front of Holkham Hall. Choose your favourite bite to eat, grab a drink from the Adnams bar and take in the views. There’s a smaller selection of vendors on weekdays and a wider range at weekends, with many weekends featuring live music too!
Check out who’s cooking and singing in advance on the Holkham website.
Feast in the Park is filled with tasty local produce, both sweet and savoury!
If you’re a fan of stately homes and want to know more about Holkham’s history, why not book an attic or cellar tour? These expert-led tours will take you behind the scenes, exploring the nooks and crannies of the hall, so you can discover how the servants and staff used to live and work.
If you’re more into nature than history, then a Bat Chat and Trek evening with ecologist Phil Parker might be for you. You’ll explore Holkham’s historic woodland, spotting bats in flight with the help of ultrasonic detectors and a thermal imaging camera!
Join the Bat Chat and Trek to discover the lesser-seen side of Holkham’s nature!
Holkham’s well-loved theatre season kicks off later this month. Expect fun frolics and family friendly live music and puppetry in the stage adaptations of Five Children and It (Wednesday, July 31), The Lost World (Wednesday, August 7) and Beauty and the Beast (Wednesday, August 28), while The Lord Chamberlain’s Men take to the stage on 21st August with their performance of Hamlet. Pack a picnic and a blanket or low-backed chair, catch up with friends and family before the show, and then sit back and enjoy!
Watch the sunset and enjoy outdoor theatre, like Hamlet, with Holkham this summer.
Holkham Park has several way-marked trails you can follow on foot or on two wheels. Their cycle hire hut is open daily, with bikes in a range of sizes and types, including electric bikes, tag bikes, balance bikes and child trailers. Cycle hire is available from two hours to a full day and gives you the option to pack so much into your time at Holkham.
If you have a head for heights, the ropes course offers an alternative way to explore! Swing from the trees and tackle wobbly crossings, swaying bridges and exhilarating ziplines to return to the ground.
Walk, run, or bike through nature with Holkham!
The Euros and Wimbledon may now be over, but the summer of sport continues at Holkham.
Children can take part in Holkham’s Soccer Camp days. Norwich City Community Sports Foundation are taking their fun-filled, footballing experience to Holkham this summer. FA qualified coaches will be on hand to give expert training to children aged 5-11, whether they’re the next Jude Bellingham or new to the sport.
If watching sport while sipping on a drink is more your thing, cricket matches are taking place throughout the summer. Played overlooking the Hall and lake, and close to the Feast in the Park food vans and Adnams bar, it’s the ideal way to while away a weekend afternoon.
There’s no better way to get your child out and about with Holkham’s Soccer School!
The Grand Tour tractor trailer ride is a fun, family friendly opportunity to discover Holkham Park. On this whistle-stop tour, you’ll be able to watch over the wildlife and learn about the landscape as you travel to important historical and architectural buildings alongside a knowledgeable guide.
Do you know a Monet in the making?! Holkham is working with professional artist and tutor, Bryony Knight, to run a series of four art workshops for 10-16 year olds on Wednesdays throughout August. They’ll learn how to paint in the style of one of the greats – Monet, Matisse, Van Gogh or Kahlo – and can book onto any number of the sessions, receiving a discount if booking all four.
For arty adults, why not turn your hand to ‘floragami’? Meg Lowder leads these paper flower workshops, and on Saturday, August 24, you can create a beautiful bunch of paper cosmos flowers to stand in a vase at home all year round!
Holkham have plenty of opportunities to tap into your creative side this summer!
No Norfolk summer is complete without trips to the beach, and Holkham’s expansive sands are well-known and well-loved! Come for a sunbathe and swim, enjoy a stroll around the sand dunes or stay cool under the pine trees. Which wildlife will you spot as you explore this stunning area of the county?
And that really is just a small glimpse into what you can expect from this summer at Holkham. For even more fantastic events to make your days out truly special, visit the Holkham website for our full events calendar!
Main Image Credit: Lloyd Birch (@92lloyd)
