This summer, Houghton Hall, near Sandringham, is hosting the largest ever retrospective of acclaimed British sculptor Stephen Cox. Running until 28 September, ‘Stephen Cox: Myth’ features around 20 sculptures in marble and stone across the landscape and in the house’s Stone Hall, along with smaller works in the State Rooms. Spanning more than 40 years, the exhibition features work conceived and produced all over the world. A modern gallery space in the south wing of the house is showing a group of works on paper together with a black English basalt figure, Shrouded Peregrine, and a porphyry and Egyptian breccia figure, Song II. 

Built by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first prime minister between 1722 and 1735, with interiors conceived by William Kent, Houghton Hall is one of the country’s finest examples of the Palladian style. Intended to house Sir Robert’s large collection of paintings, bronzes and antiquities, Houghton is now renowned for its annual contemporary art shows, with previous exhibits including work by Chris Levine, Damian Hirst, Anish Kapoor and last year, Antony Gormley. 

It also boasts a permanent world-class outdoor sculpture collection, such as the immersive ‘Skyspace: Seldom Seen’ by James Turrell, ‘White Deer Circle’ (a favourite lounging spot of Houghton’s wonderful herd of white fallow deer and one of three sculptures by Richard Long in the parkland), and ‘Houghton Hut’ by Rachel Whiteread.

Earlier this year, Houghton’s award-winning five-acre walled garden was featured in Monty Don’s BBC series, British Gardens, and it’s easy to see why. With its spectacular long herbaceous borders, rose parterre with fountain, tranquil Mediterranean garden, classical and contemporary sculptures, glasshouse and potager, it’s a joy to wander round, with plenty of surprises along the way. High summer highlights include, of course, the rose garden, the herbaceous borders at their peak, plus hydrangeas, sweet peas and soft fruits, with dahlias and asters coming on. 

There’s also a chance to see the garden at dusk on 25 July, when you can enjoy a glass of wine and a stroll or join an optional tour with one of the estate’s senior horticulturalists, who’ll also answer questions. Pre-booking is essential for this event.

Houghton is open selected days until 28 September; www.houghtonhall.com