Houghton Hall, Gardens and Sculpture Park

Houghton Hall, Gardens and Sculpture Park

Houghton Hall, Gardens and Sculpture Park
4.5
Art GalleriesHistoric SitesArchitectural BuildingsGardens
About
Open 21 April - 31 October 2024 (selected days), Houghton Hall was built in the 1720s for Britain's First Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole. A fine example of Palladian architecture and interiors by William Kent, it is home to the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, Walpole's descendant, and his family. Situated in expansive parkland, the hall is surrounded by white fallow deer. An award-winning five-acre Walled Garden includes a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border, a kitchen garden with espaliers of apples and pears and formal rose parterre. An impressive collection of contemporary sculpture by world-renowned artists such as Richard Long, Anya Gallaccio, Stephen Cox, Jeppe Hein, Rachel Whiteread, Phillip King, and James Turrell are displayed in the grounds. There is a model soldier museum housing the biggest private collection in the world, gift shop and cafe. 2024 major solo exhibitions: Antony Gormley, Time Horizon 21 April - 31 October Magdalene Odundo 12 May - 29 September
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Kev575
    Boston, United Kingdom152 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved the sculptures
    Went yesterday to see the Anthony Gormley sculptures. Despite the baltic cold & persistent drizzle we had a great time. The walled garden is amazing, can't wait to go back & see in full bloom. Glasshouses are very interesting. The sculptures dotted around made us see more of the landscape than would have otherwise done given the weather. The permanent sculptures in the garden are also very interesting. Cafe was fairly over-priced & nothing special in my opinion.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 April 2024
  • lisa c
    Cromer, United Kingdom106 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic sculptures topped with beautiful walled garden
    Went to see the Anthony Gormley exhibition (as expected wonderful) and worked incredibly well across the park. The walled garden was amazing as was the modern sculpture across the gardens. Along with a visit to the very grand staterooms and tasty cake well done Houghton for a great day out Worth the entrance fee
    Thank you so much for this lovely review - we're thrilled you enjoyed Houghton so much.
    Written 9 May 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 May 2024
  • alison m
    34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful setting and surprising art
    Beautiful and extensive grounds. I’d gone mainly to see the Anthony Gormley exhibit but found it just as lovely exploring the grounds, deer spotting and chilling out. Was there almost until closing. The staff are so helpful and friendly. I’ve seen reviews saying the food was expensive but considering the quality I didn’t have a problem with it, I had an extremely generously filled smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich sitting looking out on the countryside, and a well deserved ice cream after somehow walking 6 miles! I’ve been before so I didn’t bother with the model army collection but I found it fascinating on my last visit. Lovely day out
    Thank you for sharing your lovely experience of a day out at Houghton - there really is so much to do here that no two visits are quite the same! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed yourself.
    Written 13 May 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 May 2024
  • ThelmaandLouise50
    56 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful gardens and grounds but house a bit disappointing!
    We were lucky to visit on a lovely sunny day. The gardens were amazing and beautifully maintained. A joy to visit. Visiting the house was less of a pleasure. It was very dark inside which was understandable to protect the contents but it made reading the very small description of each room almost impossible especially with several people craning their necks to read it at the same time. There is very little information about the house available , no time line that we could see. We asked a guide who said we should have bought a guide book at the shop! We did not see guide books anywhere else on sale and were not offered one at the point of ticket sale. The shop is usually the last port of call in these places. The guide did not give us any history of the place so we found visiting the house rather disappointing. The cafeteria had run out of sandwiches by 2pm and the queues for hot food and drink were long and confusing with plenty of staff milling about but not being very well organised. However the lovely gardens and grounds were magnificent and the day overall was enjoyable. If these problems could be sorted out that would be great. Perhaps Houghton Hall could take a leaf out of the Holkham Hall book where the guides were very informative and there was plenty of historical information available without having to resort to the guide book.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 May 2024
  • Elizabeth J
    Folkestone, United Kingdom95 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The staff
    Very pleasant, walled garden to die for, guides and staff very helpful, The Antony Gormley 100 well worth the visit. A no pressure visit, to this iconic history packed home full of treasured art work, furnishings the list is endless. The Otis lift made this all possible, a true treasure well impressed. A big thank you to the staff be it,garden. shop. cafe.
    We very much appreciate you taking the time to post this review and we're glad you enjoyed our lovely old lift! It is certainly getting lots of use this year.
    Written 31 May 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 May 2024
  • Shelagh
    517 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to visit.
    A real treat to visit while the Anthony Gormley installation was in place. Fantastic to see the statues across the grounds. But, even if that hadn’t been there the gardens and house still well worth a visit. The state rooms so impressive with each having the most intricate painted ceiling. The gardens too exceptionally well planted and cared for.
    We're very pleased you enjoyed your visit so much - thank you for posting.
    Written 20 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 June 2024
  • Lesley W
    335 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit - lovely house and grounds
    Visited here with friends on our historic houses pass. Unfortunately the queue to get in was immense and we queued in our cars for a long time. This definitely needs addressing. My advice would be not to go first thing when the house opens. Anthony Gormley exhibition was on during our visit and was quite something. Definitely worth a visit. The grounds are beautiful and the gardens too. We spent a few hours here and was definitely worth visiting. The herd of white deer was lovely to see too.
    Hello, we're pleased you enjoyed your time here. We did have some issues with queuing but we have addressed these with our new pre-paid entry lane, which vastly decreases the waiting time - many vehicles have no, or very little, wait now. It is for this reason we advise pre-booking, which also saves our visitors £2 per person (although visitors can still turn up at the gate). We can only think you visited before these measures were put in place at the end of June. However, if you would like to discuss this further, please do email us at info@houghtonhall.com with your number, as we always appreciate feedback. Thank you again.
    Written 16 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 July 2024
  • Not disclosed
    292 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating Anthony Gormley exhibition
    A really interesting exibiti9n if 100 Anthony Gormley sculptures are installed around the gardens. Some at different plinth heights, some heads emerging out of a mound, some half torso etc. They add a interesting and different perspective within the grounds and a sense of space. We managed to see about 60, walking within the park. The walled garden was spectacular with a mass of colour. You can buy plants and pick sweet peas There is a cafe and gift shop on site and parking is fairly near the house, which is also open. A highly recommended visit
    Thank you for sharing details of your visit and we're delighted you had such and lovely and interesting visit.
    Written 26 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 19 July 2024
  • winerunner52
    Market Harborough, United Kingdom297 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    Amazing rooms. Helpful and friendly room guides. Antony Gormley and Magdalene Odundo exhibitions (and some MO pieces in the rooms too) Walled garden. Good cafe. Swallows flying in and out of nests on courtyard buildings. White fallow deer in parkland. Very good day out - recommend.
    Thank you so much for posting and for recommending Houghton. We're glad you enjoyed your visit.
    Written 26 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 23 July 2024
  • Mark B
    Suffolk, United Kingdom11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely visit, tinged by a safety concern in the cafe
    Lovely house and garden - the walled garden in particular is stunning and clearly receives meticulous attention. The Anthony Gormley sculptures add interest to the park. More worrying was the rather less attention or urgency given by staff when one of two 12ft timber poles supporting the canvas shade to the rear of the cafe collapsed onto a family, striking a young female. The matter was reported immediately but in the 10mins following no one came to check whether the remaining pole was secure, or on the condition of the young lady that was struck.
    Thank you for your comments about the house, garden and exhibition. We're so pleased you enjoyed them. Regarding the incident at the café, the safety of our visitors is central to everything we do. The café manager was immediately alerted by a member of the team and went straight out. She also called our buildings manager who attended within minutes. They followed procedures to ensure the area was safe and there was no further risk.
    Written 5 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 August 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles571 reviews
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clare r
Cambridge, UK160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
We went to see the Anthony Gormley sculptures. Amazing how the same sculpture repeated remains enthralling each time you encounter one . The extensive grounds are meticulously well cared for. We loved discovering the white fallow deer. The cafe served good simple menu of fresh food, queues were fairly long though. The house was a nice surprise- as we had no expectations of it. Decor is lavish and tells story of the powerful Walpoles. Walled gardens were a fabulous treat at the end of the day.
Written 13 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing details of your day, and we're delighted you enjoyed so many aspects of a visit to Houghton.
Written 24 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Vacation1581
36 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
We paid £12 each as Historic House members to visit everything here. House was interesting to see and rooms were very large. The guides only spoke if people spoke to them which was fine for us. Liked it wasn't timed entry.

Loved the walled gardens, my favourite part, and a lovely sunny day. Nice to see deer. I found it very clean but deer do use a lot of it. Cafe was very average, soup was nice but bread tasted stale, like it was from a couple of days ago. Cakes were also not the best tasting, I think mine was likely gluten free but didn't say it and wouldn't have got it had known that, had coffee and walnut. Husband had Victoria sponge and said it wasn't great either and tasted a bit stale. Drinks range was good but no glasses or straws. Generally a nice day, took us around an hour to walk around plus cafe.
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your day, particularly our wonderful Walled Garden! However, we are sorry that you were disappointed in aspects of the café and that the baked goods you purchased fell short of our usual high standards. We do offer a gluten-free cake, which is clearly marked, however the coffee and walnut is not gluten-free. Rest assured, your comments have been noted and extra checks put in place.
Written 12 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JaneRutland190770
Oakham, UK29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
Extremely friendly and welcoming staff- from entry to ticket collection to cafe and to the house guides.
Guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic- both engaged with the house and engaging with visitors: a special shout out to Mick!
Gardens and grounds are extensive and impressive with much to explore. Clearly the Antony Gormley exhibition has been a great draw:more of such opportunities to see outstanding artwork please.
The house is quite museum like with little to engage families with children and few personal touches: could not more of the flowers from the walled garden be arranged in the house?
Overall - Houghton has much to offer and occupy for a day visit and is highly recommended.
Written 24 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Jane - it's lovely to hear how much you enjoyed your visit. It's our great pleasure to bring world-class contemporary art to Houghton. We are planning a new exhibition for next year in addition to our permanent Sculpture Park - and a warm welcome awaits should you decide to return. We hope so!
Written 31 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Trouser_Browser
United Kingdom25 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
So, our visit didn’t get off to a great start with the incredibly obnoxious car park chaperones who speak to you like you are stupid person who doesnt know how to park or work your own car!

The house is quite disappointing, not too much of it open (less than last year) and some of the exhibits within it such as the pottery a bit underwhelming. There are more rooms to see at Oxburgh Hall, if that’s your thing.

The cafe must have the most ill thought out queuing system I’ve seen for a while, no real funnelling of the customers, a disordered and fuzzy queue with customers and staff crossing over to get outside or to the seating, knocking your own tray in the process. I was almost expecting Basil Fawlty to appear from behind a curtain hilariously falling into the crowd spilling food everywhere.

I feel the £24 entry fee isn’t really great value. Not much to see in the house really, and the exhibitions this year, with the cast iron moulds of Gormley just feel a bit wet.

We’ve been a few times, including at Christmas but this time left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth and I probably won’t go back again.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are disappointed to hear your comments about our team members, who go out of their way to look after visitors from the moment they arrive. The car park attendants do a sterling job in all weathers, helping to keep our car park efficient, and we are sorry that their assistance on this occasion did not hit the mark. The Hall is open as usual – there has been no reduction in access. Our two major exhibitions by Sir Antony Gormley and Dame Magdalene Odundo have brought joy and inspiration to thousands of people and we are sorry to learn that they were not to your taste. During peak times in the cafe, there can be a queue, but the team has an efficient system to ensure customers are served as quickly as possible. There will sometimes be “crossing over” at the door, for instance, with the staff waiting for customers to pass first – we apologise that your tray was knocked and also sorry you did not enjoy your visit to Houghton as much as you had hoped.
Written 12 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Curious401992
6 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
Having spent ages in a queue of cars, we reached the kiosk and asked to park, the attendant said and what tickets do you want? We only wanted to park our car and walk in the grounds but he said we had to at least purchase two tickets to the walled garden for £12 each! Their website states free parking and does not mention the need to purchase tickets for any of the buildings or walled garden. We headed to the exit and on to Holkham hall.Their website should be altered and made the caveat about tickets made clear.
Written 13 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are pleased to clarify that parking is free for visitors to Houghton Hall and Gardens, who can choose to purchase tickets for the Walled Garden, Soldier Museum, Old Stables and Tack Room, or full admission to include our wonderful hall, exhibitions, deer park and permanent sculptures. However, it is not possible to use our visitor parking and spend time on the estate without purchasing a ticket as mentioned above.
Written 20 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Robert B
West Stockbridge, MA19 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
As a regular visitor to these so called 'Stately Homes' i am rapidly getting the feeling we visitors are being taken for a ride. Let's start with the £24/person entry fee. What do you get? A walk into 10 rooms - yup, that's it, ALL on the same floor. No basement, no kitchen, no servants quarters, nothing. If you are unlucky you'll get accosted by a 'guide' that knows nothing about history or stately homes but just recites the £5 handbook. Eg., they throw the term 'Piano Nobile' around when describing the main entrance floor. Sorry to burst their bubble but ALL stately homes can claim that architectural bit of Italian terminology. A guide that did not know what a 'Drawing room' was or to give it its full name, a Withdrawing Room was and what it was used for.
We couldn't find any comfort in the so called 'Artwork' on display, just a load of glass phallus'. As for Gormley's statues all we can say is we're being conned, absolute waste of metal. But....We want to give a big shout out to the staff in the café particularly Elaine. The coffee with walnut and coffee cake was sublime and the goats cheese quiche and salad for lunch was perfect. It's a shame i won't be returning. Note to Cholmondeley family, if you want an example of how to do it properly go to Holkham Hall or even Castle Howard in Yorkshire. £24 each for 10 rooms, NO! You're not the worst, Sandringham was £23 for 4 rooms, i wonder why???
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It’s disappointing to read your comments and to learn that you didn’t feel your visit represented good value. So many times people tell us they enjoy a full day here, taking in the history, the art, the wonderful gardens and more, and chatting to our friendly attendants about all things Houghton. We are very pleased to hear you enjoyed your lunch, however, and thank you for the shout out to our staff, which is appreciated.
Written 16 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Linda W
King's Lynn, UK8 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Not impressed as Historic House members! Our 2023 Historic House Handbook tells us that entrance to the house is free. Was planning to visit Thursday 20th July but certainly won't bother now as still having to pay £10 each to visit the House. As senior citizens on a budget please tell me what is the point of us paying a £100 for being a HH member when houses in your local area then charge you extra? We will certainly be cancelling our membership next year now. At least we won't have to see the Sean Scully rubbish! If that's what the extra charge is for you can keep it. I'd want paying to look at this so called "art" Please report your decision to Historic Houses so they can update their Handbook for next year! Disappointed that we won't be visiting and feel conned!
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Linda, we're very sorry you were disappointed. The HHA handbook directs members to individual websites, to ensure they always have up to date information, and we do make it clear on our site that "Your HHA membership entitles you to free entry to the Walled Garden, Model Soldier Museum, Old Stables and Deer Park. If you wish to visit the House and Sean Scully Exhibition, you will need to upgrade (an extra £10). This can be done in advance or during your visit." However, we are in contact with the HHA to see if we can make this even clearer in future.
Written 24 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Nicola B
London44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
Haughton takes your breath away. It’s a gorgeous house both inside and out. We were there and happily caught the Gormley sculpture exhibition before it ended.
On arrival the steward could not have been nicer and apart from being the first person we saw he was also the last as we came across him in the Lady Sybil Cholmondley walled garden - where he was helping out.
Haughton has beautiful rooms with excellent paintings, porcelain, hangings and furniture together with the most beautiful ceilings. Sir Robert Walpole’s library is beautiful and you can imagine this first prime minister working here. The room stewards take an obvious delight in chatting with visitors and I learned so much. One gets the feeling that the Cholmondley
Family (still living in the house) are actually part of a much bigger family who comprise the gardeners, the cafe and shop staff and the terrific room stewards who together make this beautiful house a home.
Written 18 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Nicola! We all very much enjoy welcoming visitors and sharing our love of Houghton, and we're very pleased that came across to you. And indeed that you had such a wonderful time here.
Written 24 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emma W
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
We had a fantastic day out at Houghton Hall on Sunday. The Anthony Gormley sculptures were fascinating. We take an annual day trip to Houghton and I admit I don’t always understand the art and sculptures. However the guides are always available to give you an insight into the artist and help you to appreciate these truly unique exhibitions in a stunning setting. The Wedgewood jasperware piece in the main house should not be missed. We witnessed many people just walking past. My tip would be ask the guides to get the most out of your day out.
Written 21 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Emma - that is a very good tip to ask our guides as they are a very knowledgeable and, above all, friendly bunch who go out of their way to ensure our visitors get the best of their time here. We're glad you enjoyed your day!
Written 30 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

staffy738
Lincolnshire64 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
A lovely stately home, the walled garden was beautiful and very well kept. The sculpture trail was okay but not really our sort of thing. Staff are knowledgable and helpful.
The cafe was extremely busy and there was no chance of getting served and there is limited seating.
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’re very pleased to hear you enjoyed the house and gardens and it’s always such a pleasure when the team is recognised as they do go out of their way to assist our visitors. Thank you.
Written 15 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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HOUGHTON HALL, GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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