Christmas at Holkham Hall

The main reason we came to Norfolk this weekend was because I had tickets to Holkham Hall by Candlelight, which is the annual Christmas festival that takes place there. Holkham Hall is the family home of the Earl of Leicester, and Lady Leicester, together with members of the parish, organise this festival every year. Last year I watched a documentary on Channel 4 on the work involved, and how beautiful it looks so I was very keen to go see it (Note - that TV program is being repeated this Thursday, 8th December at 8pm, it is worth watching)

It was much colder today so while I tidied up and packed, Gavin took Xena for a run on the beach. It was low tide and he reports she chased a gull so far out that he could barely see her! When they got home Gavin and I left to go to Holkham Hall.

We had to park quite far from the house, but they were running electric shuttle buses between the car park and the house. The house was cosy and warm - I would hate to see their energy bill! The attention to detail in every display was incredible, it was all very beautiful with different themes in every room - the moss room, the bee room, the royal room.... It was not crowded at all, so it was very pleasant to walk around the house and then we were given a complimentary glass of prosecco and a mince pie - they even had GF mince pies! I don't like them so Gavin ate mine and reported it was better than the gluten containing mince pies.

I have added some extras in case you want some inspiration when you put up your own Christmas decs!

We had a very quick lunch at a local pub - we were in and out in 45 minutes, and then set off home. Unfortunately there was an accident on the A11 motorway so we sat stationary for 30 minutes. It was only a bumper bashing and I don't think anyone was injured. 

When we got home the little elves had delivered our Christmas tree, so it has been busy since we got home - we unpacked, I put the laundry in the washing machine, and Gavin has sawed off the base of the tree and brought it inside. I now need to decorate it and sort out the other Christmas decorations and it is already getting late.