Around the houses
18th March 2026
The south elevation of Blickling Hall © National Trust Images/ James Dobson
From tulip fever at Houghton to an exhibition to potter around at Holkham, Norfolk’s stately homes and country estates are a hive of activity this spring, says Harriet Cooper
Houghton Hall
Since 2015, Houghton has hosted major exhibitions of contemporary art and sculpture, showcasing big-name artists including Antony Gormley, James Turrell, Damien Hirst, Chris Levine and, last year, Stephen Cox. In 2026, the focus is on Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003), in what is the largest display of the British sculptor’s work in over two decades. Opening on 2 May, expect to see over 30 works spanning from the early 1950s to the 1990s, including Chadwick’s best-known paired figures (‘couples’), installed across the neo-Palladian Hall and the extensive grounds. Afterwards, swing by the exquisite five-acre Walled Garden, open from mid-April for ‘Tulips at Houghton’, as 25,000 bulbs come into bloom. If ever there was a harbinger of spring, this is it.
Photo: Steve Russell Studios
Blickling Estate
The Jacobean mansion and estate are always a joy at this time of year, when lambs gambol in the meadows and the gardens spring to life. Now you’ve another reason to visit, with an exhibition opening on 22 May, ‘Journeys: Global Textiles from the Karun Thakar Collection’. Pieces loaned by avid collector Thakar will be on display, from Japanese kimonos and Punjabi kanthas to French chintz and Kente cloths from Ghana, all curated to spotlight Blickling’s commercial history and how textiles are interwoven with stories of identity, trade and transformation.
Holkham Hall
Though Holkham is a hive of activity in 2026, a highlight has to be ‘A Potted History: 75 years of Holkham Studio Pottery’ (29 March to 29 October). The new exhibition shines a light on the stories and legacy of the Studio, which was founded in 1951 by Lady Elizabeth, 5th Countess of Leicester, who transformed the old laundry and bowling alley close to Holkham Hall into a light-filled space for creativity. Here, visitors could observe the potters at work and buy souvenirs, with pieces making their way across the country and around the globe – indeed, at its peak the pottery employed around 90 workers. Feeling inspired? In keeping with the spirit of artistry, this year’s programme of workshops at Holkham includes willow weaving and floragami to candle making and oil painting, reflecting the estate’s long-standing connection with craft and making.
Oxburgh Estate
Love is all around Oxburgh Hall this spring with ‘A Regency Romance’, a new show that has a pair of portraits at its heart. The paintings of Thomas Molyneux-Seel and Agnes Bedingfeld are by the neo-classical artist Ferdinando Cavalleri and were commissioned by the newly-married couple during their lengthy Grand Tour honeymoon in the early 19th century. The portraits were bequeathed to the National Trust and for nearly 50 years, Thomas’s likeness hung in Oxburgh’s library, while the painting of Agnes remained in the attic. It has now been unearthed and restored and the pair have been reunited, becoming the centrepiece for an exhibition exploring the language of love during the Regency era and the couple’s relationship, through extracts from letters, diaries and collection objets.
© National Trust Images/ Matthew Hollow Photography
For all times and ticket prices, visit the individual websites
