Norfolk - flat lands and large skies....

I have been to Norfolk on a number of occasions but not for a good few years.

As a lover of Cornwall and its wonderful coastline, I was a little sceptical of a stay in Norfolk as it is indeed very flat.  On arrival I felt as flat as the landscape but surprisingly it grows on you in time.  The vast expanse of sky, the quietness and the natural beauty are very restful and the complete absence of seagulls - one of my pet hates of Cornwall - is an added bonus.

The quality of light is superb and the skyscapes magnificent.  One could spend a considerable time just watching the clouds shift, move, expand and contract, casting new shadows and changing the light levels continuously throughout the day.

Then there are the churches. The county is replete with fine churches and due to the flatness of the terrain, they are prominent as one travels from place to place. 

As well as the churches, there are some famous estates which are well worth visiting.  We managed to visit two during our short stay - Holkham Hall and Blickling Hall. Both of these are fine buildings - the former Palladian and the latter Jacobean. These houses differ in age, scale and grandeur, with Blickling Hall being more intimate and closer to the human dimension but for elegance and design on the grand scale, Holkham Hall is superb.

Holkham Hall represents architecture and interior design on a grand scale which of course is well nigh impossible to replicate in the smaller scale of houses that most of us live in today.  However, there are details and aspects of quality we can aspire to imitate if we look with a keen eye.

First of all a few photos from Holkham Hall - 

Holkham Hall - The Marble Hall

Holkham Hall - The Marble Hall

Holkham Hall - The North State Sitting Room

Holkham Hall - The Classical Library

Holkham Hall - A Footman's Uniform - Collar Detail

Holkham Hall - Armorial Detail on an Urn

Holkham Hall - The North State Dining Room 

 Holkham Hall - The Glasshouse in the Walled Garden

Blickling Hall was not so photogenic inside so the following images are of the exterior and the gardens which are, to my mind, the most interesting part of Blickling Hall.

Blickling Hall - Front Elevation

Blickling Hall - The Main Entrance

 Blickling Hall - From the Gardens

Blickling Hall - From the Garden 

Blickling Hall - The Path above the Double Borders

Blickling Hall - A Fine Decorative Garden Urn

Blickling Hall - The Refurbished Glasshouse in the Walled Garden

Holkham Beach in the Evening