Holkham Hall By Candlelight: A Festive Winter Experience For Your Cottage Escape.
There are few places that do Christmas quite like Holkham Hall and you can experience it by booking a candlelight tour- we did and it felt like stepping into a Christmas storybook! In this blog post I am going to share a few little snippets of our favourite rooms and themes from this years 2025 guided tour- don’t be fooled into thinking what you see here is what you see every year.. with new additions and themes every year it’s well worth seeing and experiencing it for yourself.
Set against dark norfolk skies and sweeping parkland, during November and December Holkham Hall transforms into something even more enchanting. As dusk settles, the grand Palladian mansion steps quietly back through the centuries, offering visitors a rare and atmospheric glimpse into its past, with a magical festive display, the rooms are adorned by trees, greenery and carefully chosen decorations. Each room is dressed to a different festive theme, inspired by Christmas and its traditions.
It’s an experience that feels both intimate and awe-inspiring it’s one that makes a winter stay on the North Norfolk coast truly unforgettable. You can book a guided or self led tour. We opted for the guided tour.
Walking Through History, One Christmas Theme at a Time..
The candlelight tour winds through some of Holkham’s most magnificent state rooms, each revealing a different festive theme. Towering Christmas trees anchor many of the intricately decorated rooms. Temperature changes carefully matched the scene that had been created for the room, and all of the rooms carried a different scent to add to the experience.
A House Built for Grandeur and Atmosphere
Holkham Hall was completed in 1764 for Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, and remains one of the finest examples of 18th-century Palladian architecture in England. Designed to impress, the hall was built to reflect classical ideals of symmetry, balance and proportion, inspired by ancient Roman villas and Renaissance Italy.
By candlelight, Holkham feels less like a stately home and more like a living story book. Portraits watch from the walls, and the vast Marble Hall which is usually filled with daylight takes on an almost theatrical presence. It’s easy to imagine guests arriving by carriage, silk dresses brushing the stone floors, and whispered conversations echoing through the corridors.
A Grand Welcome in the Marble Hall
We walked through the front doors, beautifully dressed with a festive bow, and were warmly greeted by our guide.
Entering the Marble Hall was nothing short of breathtaking. Live piano music filled the space, echoing softly around the hall and instantly setting the tone for the evening. Towering marble pillars and grand stairs lined with Christmas trees framed the hall perfectly. Above us, gold and red baubles hung from the tall intricately detailed ceiling, catching the twinkle of fairy lights across the marble surfaces. The architecture alone is incredible. Its grand, elegant and awe-inspiring. The Marble Hall was designed to impress, and has been welcoming guests for centuries. It’s was easy to imagine grand winter gatherings of the past.
Inspiration for the Marble Hall Christmas theme was taken from various Christmas markets and included accents of red and gold with lit Christmas trees topped with bows and huddled by gifts.
The Dining Room: A Feast of Clementine & Spice.
As we moved into the dining room, and the scent immediately changed to warm clementine and spice, rich, comforting and unmistakably festive.
The inspiration for the decorations had been taken directly from the room itself. The elegant mouldings and sculptural swag details along the walls had been echoed throughout the festive styling, creating a sense that the Christmas décor truly belonged there.
Above the fireplace, the traditional swags had been reimagined as an oversized paper chain, stretching across the ceiling and suspended above the dining table. It was both playful and sophisticated , a modern interpretation that still respected the grandeur of the room.
Floral additions were inspired by nature, with greenery and seasonal blooms from the estate woven into the display. Floating above the laid table were poinsettia plants, adding a striking splash of festive colour and drawing the eye upward towards the height and scale of the room.
It felt theatrical yet warm, a room designed not just to be admired, but imagined as the setting for grand Christmas feasts of the past.
The Saloon: Gold, Grandeur and Festive Drama
The next room that felt truly special was the Saloon.
At its heart stood a 20-foot Christmas tree, dripping in gold florals and ornaments, with piles of gold-wrapped gifts spilling out from beneath, the top of the tree meeting the striking ceiling mouldings above.
The tree was a dramatic contrast against the upholstered silk and wool damask wall coverings. Tall arched windows framed the space, while some of the most ornate coving drew the eye upward, adding to the sense of scale and grandeur.
The marble fireplace draped in gold foliage, cascading down was an opulent and theatrical nod to Christmas excess, perfectly suited to such an impressive room.
It was impossible not to pause here. The combination of colour and texture made the Saloon feel both luxurious and warmly festive it was a space that truly embodied Christmas at Holkham.
The Landscape Room: A Christmas Song Brought to Life
The Landscape Room was one of our favourites, inspired by the much-loved Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
At the centre of the theme was a partridge in a pear tree, delicately interpreted with branches scattered with glass, frosted pear ornaments, and, of course, partridges woven throughout the display. The effect was whimsical yet refined, perfectly balancing festive storytelling with the grandeur of the room.
The restored piano was beautifully dressed with feathery foliage, adding softness and movement, while the light brought a gentle sparkle to the glass decorations. It felt joyful and imaginative, a room that made you smile, while sitting effortlessly within the historic surroundings.
This was the kind of space that invited you to linger, taking in the details and appreciating just how thoughtfully each festive scene had been created.
The Old Kitchen
We finished the evening in the Old Kitchen, glass of Prosecco in hand (or an elderflower spritz for the non-drinkers) and a perfectly festive mince pie to enjoy. This atmospheric heart of the house blended centuries of history with refined Christmas elegance. A long banquet table stretched through the room, lined with crystal glasses and laid for a feast, though on closer inspection, every detail was crafted from chocolate. From the golden turkey and carrots to the whimsical floating gravy boat, the artistry was simply spellbinding. Above it all, the Christmas tree shimmered with rich gold and bronze ornaments, perfectly echoing the indulgent chocolate theme and bringing the tour to a truly magical close.
A Memory Worth Building Your Stay Around
Events like Holkham Hall by Candlelight are part of what makes North Norfolk so special in the autumn and winter months. The crowds thin, the landscapes become wilder, and experiences feel more authentic.
Pair your stay at Flock Cottage and an evening at Holkham with:
A crisp beach walk at Old Hunstanton earlier in the day
A pub supper beside a roaring fire
And a cosy return to your own warm cottage retreat
… and you have the perfect short break.
Whether you’re visiting as a couple, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving something a little different, it’s exactly the kind of evening that turns a simple break into a cherished memory.
Planning Your Visit
Holkham Hall by Candlelight events usually run on selected evenings during the autumn and winter months, and tickets are limited so booking ahead is essential.
If you’re planning a winter stay at Flock Cottage, timing your visit to coincide with this magical event is highly recommended. See Holkham Hall official website for up to date information and to purchase your tickets.