Coach Hire in Norfolk - Houghton Hall & Robert Walpole
Posted by Sandy Holburn on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 @ 10:27 AM
Houghton Hall, home of Sir Robert Walpole and his descendents, is a masterpiece among England’s stately homes – a grand Palladian mansion in west Norfolk and not to be missed by visitors to the County. Neaves coach hire Norwich make frequent visits to Houghton Hall with interested and enthusiastic groups.
The Hall was built by Robert Walpole, ‘great man’ of 18th. Century England, first British Prime Minister and still the longest serving Prime Minister of Britain.
Born in 1676, educated at Eton and Cambridge, Walpole became MP for Castle Rising in 1701. He was a shrewd and assiduous administrator and rose to become Treasurer of the Navy for the Whig government. When the Tories came back into power, Walpole was briefly imprisoned for corruption.
When George I came to the throne the Whigs returned to power with Walpole as one of its leading lights. Walpole was propelled to undisputed power by his handling of the financial crisis known as the South Sea Bubble. His great influence stemmed from his popularity with both King and people.
In his role as Prime Minister Walpole is credited with keeping Britain out of foreign wars, with low taxes and with reducing the national debt. Thus he set the political and economic stability which underpinned Britain’s growth as a world power in the following century.
Many of the features of the modern British political system can be traced back to Walpole. He was the first prime minister to live at 10 Downing Street. He lived there in his capacity as First Lord of the Treasury and that is still the title on the door of Number 10. ‘More fundamentally, Walpole was the first leading minister…who maintained his position by his ability to dominate the House of Commons, rather than through the favour of the monarch’.
During his time in high political office, Walpole acquired great wealth. He was determined to build an impressive new mansion filled with magnificent treasures. Colen Campbell was principal architect for the building and William Kent designed the interior in lavish style as a backdrop for Walpole’s collections of pictures, sculptures and tapestries.
Houghton Hall came to reflect the flamboyant character of one of England’s most brilliant politicians. While the exterior of Houghton Hall is both ‘grand and restrained’ the interiors are ‘colourful, exuberant and opulent’.
Many of the state rooms retain their original furnishings. The V&A Museum acquired a number of state beds, tapestries and suites of gilded furniture to be carefully restored and preserved for the nation in their original places at Houghton Hall.
Shortly after Walpole’s death, debts forced the sale of his picture collection to Catherine the Great of Russia. The collection is now on display in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
Happily, the estate and its furnishings were rescued by the 4th. Earl of Cholmondeley who inherited it through descent from the marriage of Walpole’s sister Mary to the 3rd. Earl.
The house and grounds of Houghton Hall are all in beautiful order. Notable features include:
- 5 acre walled garden
- Model soldier collection with battle scenes
- St Martin’s Church where Robert and Horace Walpole lie buried
- 4,500 acre deer park
- Restaurant with waitress service (pre-booking advised for groups)
Houghton Hall welcomes visitors and provides good facilities for group travel. It is an excellent destination for coach hire in Norfolk. Please contact Neaves Coaches for further information or assistance with your coach travel arrangements.