Firstly, Holkham grounds are stunning and well kept. The beach is beautiful and spacious - one of my favourite beaches for miles around. This review is in relation to the Christmas Market, which was disappointing. The arrangement of the cabins were very close, making it difficult to view items. Many people gathered in the middle of the cabins as there was little space for people to manoeuvre. The stalls did not offer much in the way of variety but that said, the craftsmen and women were all excellent at what they did, offering some lovely gifts. Unfortunately, on some stalls there was limited stock but that was more than likely down to the fact that it was the second day! I will be visiting Holkham Hall again because it is a stunning location and has a lot to offer but not this particular event as I feel that there are better options available.

The staff were very friendly and helpful and we were offered Prosecco and mince pie on arrival. The tour started off well with a pianist and beautifully decorated hall and stairs with Christmas trees and lights and candles. Unfortunately for me it went down hill after that with a lot of artificial flowers and foliage instead of lots of greenery from the grounds. It was nice to see the real poinsettias and Christmas trees. Can’t understand why they didn’t use old toys and typical packaging of the era. The guide boasted that lots of props were bought on Facebook market place…. It took 55 mins to complete the tour. £28 x 2 for tickets + £5 to park for just over an hour spent there in all was not good value for money. Two hours to drive there and two home, I will not be returning…

Our second year visiting the hall at Christmas. Sadly not a patch on last year's displays. It felt a bit thrown together this year. Our guide started the tour by telling us what had gone wrong in the planning stages..... cancelled trips to Germany for inspiration and covid had impacted the planning timetable. Then spent most of the tour pointing out details so small that we couldnt see. Visited the cafe first for prosecco and mince pie, lovely touch but absolutely freezing in there! Need to invest in some inner glass doors or better heating. We'd gone all out this year with a meal at the Victoria first, which was not great. So with a disappointing £85 lunch and £56 +£5 for the hall it was a very expensive treat which sadly did not live up to expectations. I do agree with other reviews in that the parking fees on top of the £28 tickets are a bit much. Harpist was brilliant, the marble hall and entrance were spectacular but for us it all went a bit downhill thereafter. Not impressed with the dodgy parrots! Felt like they had run out of steam this year. Such a shame when I know that all the staff and volunteers have worked so hard on the installation but for us it didn't quite hit the mark this year.

Appalled to see geese snd goslings dying on the grounds near the lake. We saw several goslings gasping for air with discharge coming from their nostrils. Obviously bird flu. We informed a member of staff who told us to ‘leave them there as there is nothing they can do about the bird flu situation there’. So no bio-security, no informing the public of the situation and absolutely no attempt whatsoever to reduce the spread of the virus. We have geese at home so going there put our ins flock at risk. Not acceptable. Happy to take your money and promote their ‘conservation efforts’ but they don’t care about the suffering g if the duck birds on their grounds or the birds who will get sick because if their lack of effort. Horrifying!

My 4th visit with one of my visitor to Norfolk as so enjoyed in the past. I was so disappointed this time. There were no brochures available on the house sold out in July? No conducted tours Staff poor at coming forward with room information as one walked around or monopolised by a chatty person except the guide in the kitchen who was brilliant. Transport to gardens no more so didn't bother to go, too far to walk as pensioner's with knee issues, though might have got a pass for my car. Holkham Stories seemed to be the same as Field to Fork used to be except the film up dated.

Arrived in 2 cars at the car park, my partner in front had the bank card, I said to the guy that he was paying for mine in front to which he replied ‘that old story is it’, wouldn’t believe that he was paying for me and we were together, said just wait there while I go check. Then said ok that’s fine. I’m going into a car park which your charging me £5 each for not through high security. Pulled up to which my child got out the car and the dog had ran off. A women from the cafe bought him back over and said he needs to be on a lead, am aware of that but we had just pulled up and as a excitable puppy had just jumped out. Not a great start to arriving and being there not even 5 minutes.

We paid handsomely to visit this Hall then were charged £5 to park. Like many many other reviewers we object to being charged this amount on top of a hefty entrance fee. Then there was another charge of £5.50 to see the walled garden however good it might be. We needed accessible parking which wasn’t particularly accessible! We subsequently found out that we could have parked in front of the Hall. This should’ve been offered by the unhelpful car park assistant. Thankfully we found out that we could drive the long distance to the walled garden only to find out there would be an extra charge. Multiple reviewers have objected about all these extras and say make everything inclusive and no changes are ever made. The Hall is underwhelming with no information sheets (not everyone wants a detailed lecture from a knowledgable guide). So many unidentifiable rooms with masses of paintings were not that interesting. There’s no access to the gardens of the house which is a shame. The grounds are vast and rambling but not for those with mobility issues. The shop was ridiculously highly priced so the thought of spending £30 to get your £5 parking ticket refunded was frankly laughable. Such a disappointing day.

We felt that £23 per head was a little stiff, but what the xxxxxx, let's have a look! But it was not appreciated when (only on arrival, not shown previously) another £5 was then added for parking. Naughty. Nor, pre-visit, was it revealed how very long the walks were to various parts, especially from the car park to the Hall, and to the walled garden from the Hall. Although beautiful walks, a land train or similar should be provided, at least for the less able. The Hall did have some spectacular parts but so do most stately homes, we'd give an "average" score for the interior. Nevertheless, for the physically and financially able, it provides a few hours of pleasant scenery, wildlife and strolls, very much enhanced by the superbly friendly, informative and helpful staff and volunteers.