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6 of the best Stately Homes to visit in Norfolk!
Known for being a popular staycation tourist destination, the county of Norfolk has much to offer its visitors, including some of the grandest Stately Homes in the region. 6 of the best Norfolk stately homes to visit: Houghton Hall Blickling Hall Oxburgh Hall Holkham Hall Raynham Hall Felbrigg Hall Houghton Hall Commissioned in 1722, by the def facto first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, Houghton Hall is a beautiful example of Neo-Palladian architecture. Built to reflect…
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Raynham Hall
Raynham Hall, in Norfolk, is still home to Lord and Lady Townshend, and recently we were lucky enough to visit! We had no idea what to expect, so drove up the sweeping drive, through the Raynham Estate, and parked up. Almost instantly, the front door opened, and out bounded two Jack Russells to welcome us into this historic home. Before the tour began, Lord Townshend provided us with an introduction to the history of Raynham Hall, its construction,…
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The Graham Children (1742) by William Hogarth
So many period paintings of children depict them as mini adults or with serious demeanour. In contrast, this wonderful portrait of the four Graham children by William Hogarth, allow a glimpse of the real personalities of these young sitters. Their father was the Royal Apothecary to George II. Henrietta, the eldest, holds out cherries to the youngest brother Thomas. Sadly, he had already died by the time the painting was finished. Anna Maria is dancing to the organ…
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The Young Royalist
Charles Cavendish (1620-1643) would appear to have it all. Second son to the 2nd Earl of Devonshire and the godson of King Charles I, he was dashing, wealthy, and well-travelled. His portrait, seen here, was painted by Sir Anthony van Dyck, and truly captures his youthful promise. Sadly, it was not to be. He died fighting for the Royalist cause, in action at Gainsborough, at the young age of 23. However, his handsome features are forever immortalised in…
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Observations: The Mary Beale Collection
We were so excited about this exhibition that we visited it as soon as the doors opened! It is only in recent years that the appreciation of Mary Beale and her artwork has increased. This year, the art world was sent into a frenzy when a sleeper portrait of her son, Bartholomew, appeared at a Colchester Auction House as Italian School. It eventually sold for £100,000 and in doing so, demonstrated how the appeal of Beale’s portraits is…
