About

Built in the 1720s for Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's First Prime Minister, Houghton Hall is one of the finest Palladian Houses in England. It is a showcase of the work of architects James Gibbs and Colen Campbell, complemented by the richly ornamented interiors of William Kent, and furnished to reflect Walpole's growing wealth and power. The Hall is the home of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, Walpole's descendent, and his family. 

Surrounded by traditional parkland, Houghton has a spectacular herd of white fallow deer. The award winning five acre Walled Garden includes a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border, a formal rose parterre, and a rustic temple designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman. There is also a sculpture park featuring an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures acquired by Lord Cholmondeley.

World renowned artists take over its gardens and historic interiors every year from April to October for major exhibitions showcasing a full range of sculpture, paintings and other works of art and in 2024 Houghton stages two major solo exhibitions:

Antony Gormley, Time Horizon (21 April – 31 October)
This spectacular large-scale installation features 100 life-size sculptures. Distributed across 300 acres of the park and gardens, they are installed at the same height to create a single horizontal plane. The ‘datum’ work in the Arcade (the Hall’s lower floor) sets the height for all the sculptures.

Magdalene Odundo (12 May – 29 September)
Showcasing ceramic and glass works which playfully respond to the traditional functionality of the State Rooms, the exhibition inhabits the interiors through a series of thoughtful interventions that both highlight and disrupt the functional and decorative design schemes.

Other contemporary sculptures on display in the grounds include works by Rachel Whiteread, Stephen Cox, Phillip King, Anish Kapoor, Anya Gallaccio, James Turrell, Jeppe Hein, Richard Long and Sean Scully.

The Stables contain a range of original wooden stalls and tack and harness room. There is a fully-licensed café, a Gift Shop and a Soldier Museum, which holds The Cholmondeley Collection of Soldiers, one of the largest private collections in the world, with 20,000 models displayed. 

Palladian Mansion. Award-winning 5-acre Walled Garden, Model Soldier Museum, Contemporary Sculptures, Deer Park, Café & Gift shop, Picnic & Play Area.

Christie's Garden of the Year Award 2007 by Historic Houses Association.
Visit England - Quality Rose Marque. HHA Member, RHS Partner Garden, National Gardens Scheme Member.