The National Trust Blicking Hall Tourism Leaflet

 Experience the life of a
servant 70 years ago in the
service rooms.
Seasonal Colour at
Blickling
Gift Aid admission*
Hall & gardens
Gardens only
†
March/April, 10.15am 5.15pm
Spring into Blickling
The perfect time to see
the Blickling garden spring
into bloom. A wondrous
display of over 2,000
hyacinths, 100,000 daffodils,
5,000 tulips and a host of
magnificent magnolia trees.
June/July/August,
10.15am - 5.15pm
Sizzling Summer Colour
Come and see the stunning
Parterre garden with its
spectacular display of
herbaceous shrubs. A display of
vibrant hot summer colours not
to be missed.
Tour of the garden at 2pm
available on most days for a
further £1.50. Please call to
confirm availability. Garden
entry.
10.15am - 5.15pm
September/October,
10.15am - 5.15pm
A truly splendid display of
azaleas create a kaleidoscope
of colour along Temple
Walk. Tour of the garden at
2pm available on most days
for a further £1.50.
Please call to confirm
availability. Garden entry.
Child
£4.85
£3.25
Family
£25.50 £15.50 £17.10 £10.70
†
††
†
††
††
Two adults, three children. One adult, three children
Tour of the garden at 2pm
available on most days for a
further £1.50. Please call to
confirm availability. Garden
entry.
Magnificent May
Adult
£9.75
£6.50
Autumn Colours
Enjoy the full spectrum of colours
of the varied collection of trees.
See the seasonal flower displays of the extensive new double
borders, ranging from cool blues to hot reds.
Tour of the garden at 2pm available on most days for a further
£1.50. Please call to confirm availability. Garden entry.
November/December, 11am - 4pm
Winter Wonderland
A wonderful time to stroll the miles of garden paths and see
the shapes and structure of the fabulous topiary. Experience
nature’s artistry in all its glory, and why not finish your walk in
our warm and welcoming restaurant.
Garden entry.
Parking £2.50 (NT members free - please display car sticker). Free admission
to the park, woodland walks, picnic area, shop, restaurant, plant centre and
second-hand bookshop
*Including a voluntary donation of at least 10%; visitors can, however, choose
to pay the standard admission prices which are displayed at the property and at
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Opening times
Blickling Hall
2009
Mo Tu We Th Fr SaSu
House
28 Feb - 12 Jul
15 Jul - 6 Sep
9 Sep - 1 Nov
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
11am - 5pm
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4
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4
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4
4
Garden/shop/restaurant/bookshop
2 Jan - 27 Feb
28 Feb - 12 Jul
15 Jul - 6 Sep
9 Sep - 1 Nov
5 Nov - 31 Jan 10
11am - 4pm
10.15am - 5.15pm
10.15am - 5.15pm
10.15am - 5.15pm
11am - 4pm
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4
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4
4
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4
4
4
4
4
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4
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4
4
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4
4
4
4
4
Dawn - dusk
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
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4
4
4
4
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4
4
Park
All year
Plant centre
28 Feb - 1 Nov
10.15am - 5.15pm -
Cycle hire
4 Apr - 1 Nov
10.15am - 5pm
-
Open Bank Holiday Mondays: Easter-August inc. During local school
holidays (Easter-October inc.), all facilities (inc. cycle hire) open
Wednesday-Monday inc. Closed 24-26 December and 1 January.
Location
11/2 miles north west of Aylsham on B1354, 15miles north of
Norwich. Signposted off A140 Cromer Rd. Foot: Weavers’ Way
from Gt Yarmouth & Cromer (Aylsham, 2 miles). Cycle: permitted
path alongside Bure Valley Rly, q Wroxham–Aylsham. Bus: Anglian
711 from Salhouse Mon–Fri only (24hrs notice required); Sanders
4, 41/3/4, First/Norfolk Green X5 Norwich–Holt, alight Aylsham 1½
miles. Station: Aylsham 1¾ml; N Walsham (U) 8ml.
Blickling Hall, Gardens & Park
Blickling, Norwich NR11 6NF
Telephone 01263 738030 Fax 01263 738035
Email [email protected]
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling
This leaflet is also available in large print or
Braille. Please call 01284 747500 for details.
©The National Trust 2009 Photography ©NT/Fisheye Images, NT/Bob Farndon,
©NTPL/Andreas von Einsiedel.
Registered Charity No. 205846
Explore, Indulge, Enjoy
New for 2009 - everything opens from 11am
Garden entry.
A wonderful time to stroll the miles of garden paths and see
the shapes and structure of the fabulous topiary. Experience
nature’s artistry in all its glory, and why not finish your walk in
our warm and welcoming restaurant.
Winter Wonderland
November/December, 11am - 4pm
for a further £1.50.
Please call to confirm
availability. Garden entry.
Tour of the garden at 2pm available on most days for a further
£1.50. Please call to confirm availability. Garden entry.
A truly splendid display of
azaleas create a kaleidoscope
of colour along Temple
Walk. Tour of the garden at
2pm available on most days
Enjoy the full spectrum of colours
of the varied collection of trees.
See the seasonal flower displays of the extensive new double
borders, ranging from cool blues to hot reds.
Autumn Colours
Magnificent May
September/October,
10.15am - 5.15pm
10.15am - 5.15pm
Tour of the garden at 2pm
available on most days for a
further £1.50. Please call to
confirm availability. Garden
entry.
Tour of the garden at 2pm
available on most days for a
further £1.50. Please call to
confirm availability. Garden
entry.
The perfect time to see
the Blickling garden spring
into bloom. A wondrous
display of over 2,000
hyacinths, 100,000 daffodils,
5,000 tulips and a host of
magnificent magnolia trees.
Come and see the stunning
Parterre garden with its
spectacular display of
herbaceous shrubs. A display of
vibrant hot summer colours not
to be missed.
Sizzling Summer Colour
Spring into Blickling
June/July/August,
10.15am - 5.15pm
March/April, 10.15am 5.15pm
Blickling
The Spirit of
Downstairs
Blickling Hall has been at the heart of this North Norfolk
community for centuries. One of the most imposing and
majestic stately homes in Norfolk, it offers you a glimpse
into what it was like to live in a country house in the carefree
days before the outbreak of war.
Upstairs
Tour the Hall in the footsteps of the people who lived or stayed
here as the storm clouds of fascism gathered across
Europe. See how Lord Lothian attempted to avert war
or find peace and solitude with the vibrant colours of
Norah Lindsay’s double border flower beds. Imagine
yourself as a guest at the famous 1938 pageant,
attended by royalty!
Alternatively, see and hear what it would have been like to live and
work ‘below stairs’ throughout those exciting decades. Blickling’s
kitchen and service areas have been brought back to life; telling the
stories of the real people who kept Blickling going, through room
settings, interpretation and recordings.
Learn just what it took to keep Lord Lothian’s sweet tooth satisfied
from his cook Flo Wadlow - then nip along to the shop and pick up
one of her own recipe books to take home!
Bringing
history to life
People from Blickling’s past
are brought back to life
during certain times of the
year. Eavesdrop on Lord
Lothian chatting to Lady
Astor in the Library or find
out the gossip from one
of the between maids or
‘tweenies’ in the Drawing
Room - but don’t let the
Butler catch you!
Whatever time of year
you decide to visit though,
you can enjoy Blickling’s
story through tours, talks, events; or just chatting to one of our
friendly volunteers.
Get lost in the wilderness
Blickling offers you a wealth of walks. Take a stroll around the dry
moat or Victorian and herbaceous formal gardens, or explore the
woodland wilderness, filled with colourful flowers and home to an
exciting new project. If you’re feeling more energetic, why not get
on your bike and set out into the acres of glorious parkland - you’ll
find inspiration, relaxation and enjoyment, all year round!
Don’t Miss...
Trails, quizzes and
children’s activities
to make the most of
your visit.
Indulge your taste
buds with great
seasonal and
local foods.
Crane your neck in the ‘very’
Long Gallery with its stunning
Jacobean ceiling and over
12,000 books!
Explore the park – lakeside walks
and spectacular views across the
Bure valley.
Lose yourself in the
gardens; filled with
daffodils, bluebells, azaleas
and rhododendrons – yearround enjoyment!
Experience the life of a
servant 70 years ago in the
service rooms.
Look out for…
A packed events
programme!
The restaurant offers
a warm welcome and
a chance to sample
some delicious local
and seasonal food. Or
try the Courtyard
Café for an alfresco
experience.
Find the orangery,
with orange, grapefruit,
lemon and lime trees.
Play croquet on
the lawn with friends
and family.
Enjoy browsing
through the shop, plant
sales or second-hand
bookshop.
Sunday 19 April, 10.15am - 5pm
Bead, Glass & Textile
Jewellery Fair
This one day bead and
glass fair is an opportunity
to browse and buy beautiful
beads and jewellery in the
lovely surroundings of Blickling
Hall and create you own
masterpieces. Everything for
the expert and enthusiast
from suppliers from around
the country. Tickets from Visitor
Reception.
Adult £5, child £2.50, includes
garden entry.
What’s On
2009
Where booking is advised,
please telephone
0844 800 4308 unless
otherwise stated.
Normal admission to the
house applies, plus extra event
charge (including NT members)
where mentioned.
Prices correct at the time of
going to print and may be
subject to change.
Loft Gallery
Throughout the year local
crafts people and artists will
be exhibiting and selling their
work. For more information
please call the property office
on 01263 738030.
Opening of the
House Dinner
See panel overleaf.
Join us for gardeners’ question
time, ideas on composting,
activities for children and an
opportunity to buy a range
of home-grown plants from
Blickling’s garden, staff and
volunteers. Pick up your free
beetroot seeds, learn how to
sow and grow then join us in
October for our recipe workshop
on how to cook your harvest!
£37.50. Early booking advisable.
MARCH
March/April, 10.15am - 5.15pm
Spring into Blickling
See panel overleaf.
Tuesday 3 March, 11am - 1pm
Do you have a few hours to
spare? Why not become a
volunteer for the National Trust.
Come for a coffee and a chat with
staff members looking for
volunteers on the property in all
departments. Get involved! Come
to the front Hall in the main house.
Sunday 22 March, arrive 12.30
for 1pm lunch
£27.50. Booking essential.
JANUARY
Friday 27 - Sunday 29
March, Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 25 January, 11am
Spring Craft Fair
A Winter’s Trail
A variety of crafts including
ceramics, jewellery, clothing and
pictures. Walled Garden.
FEBRUARY
Saturday 7 February,
11am - 4pm
Wednesday 6 & Sunday 10
May, 10.30am - 1pm
Discover the swathes of
bluebells hidden in the
woods and take a peek
inside the Mausoleum.
Morning stroll with Blickling’s
Head Warden.
£4.50 under 14s free (sorry
no dogs). Please book.
Volunteer Recruitment Day
Give Mum the treat she
deserves with a delicious threecourse lunch in our restaurant.
£14. Please book.
Sunday 24 May,
from 10.30am
10.15am - 5.15pm
Guided Bluebell Walk
Lord Lothian’s Attic
Tour & Edwardian
Afternoon Tea
Wednesday 13 - Sunday 17
May, 1.30pm & 3pm
A unique opportunity to
discover the contents of
Blickling’s attics. A chance
to see items in storage rarely
viewed by the public, then
enjoy a cream tea prepared
with delicious local produce,
served in Lord Lothian’s Study.
£12, includes tea. Please book.
Free admission to
Courtyard sales.
Wednesday 27 May,
12.30 - 4pm
Jolly the Jester
Bring the family and join Jolly
the Jester for a fun day out.
Large garden games and
garden trail to complete.
Sunday 12 & Monday 13 April,
11am - 4pm (last admission
3.30pm) while stocks last
Easter Trail
Bring the family and enjoy a
children’s Easter trail around the
garden. Includes chocolate gift.
Children must be accompanied.
Garden entry + £1.50 per child.
Hellebore Open Day
Advice and informative talks
on growing hellebores with
hellebore expert Roger Harvey
with an opportunity to view
the Blickling collection and
buy a number of varieties.
In the garden. Garden tours
led by Paul Underwood,
Head Gardener.
Garden entry.
Saturday 14 February, 7.30pm
Valentine’s Dinner
Three-course dinner lovingly
prepared by our Head Chef,
in the intimate setting of Lord
Lothian’s Study.
£35. Please book.
£20. Please book.
Thursday 16 April,
10.30am - 4pm
Gardens open in aid of the
National Gardens Scheme.
Garden entry.
Thursday 30 July,
11am - 4pm
Go Wild at Blickling
Back by popular demand! Join
Stephen Prowse, Head Warden
from Horsey, for an exciting
day in the park - become
Ray Mears for the day! Learn
how to build a shelter, wildlife
tracking, fire making and
cooking lunch. Wear suitable
outdoor clothing. Suitable for
children 8 - 14. Child must be
accompanied by an adult.
£25 includes child and
one adult and essential
supplies to survive the day!
Booking essential.
How to use a pooter and race
a snail! Join Stephen Prowse,
Head Warden from Horsey, for
a fascinating safari around our
gardens and see mini beasties
up close.
Garden entry.
Chart the rise and fall of one Norfolk family! A charming world of
surprising contrasts and colourful characters - only 25 minutes away.
Sunday 18 October,
11am - 4pm
See panel overleaf.
Apple Day
Spring/Summer/Autumn &
Winter Weekends
Children’s Check-In
Visit our friendly staff in the East
Wing reception and ‘check-in’ at
the children’s desk for children’s
trails, tracker packs and bug
pots to help you explore and
discover the magic and mystery
of the house and garden. Seek
out the tiny natural inhabitants
of the garden, and visit the bug
house to see if the ladybird and
the spider are at home!
£17. Booking essential.
Garden entry.
Saturday 19 September Sunday 4 October
Wednesday 21 - Friday 23
October, 11am - 5pm (last
entry 4.30pm)
Enjoy a celebration of local,
seasonal food in Blickling’s
restaurant. Restaurant open
Wednesday to Sunday from
10.15am - 5.15pm with homemade cakes, sandwiches and
beverages throughout the day,
and a selection of traditional
hot meals served between
11.45am and 2.30pm.
Clowning Around
Bring the family and join
Buttons the clown for a fun day
out. Large garden games and
garden trail to complete.
Garden entry.
Wednesday 12 August,
12.30 - 4pm
June/July/August,
10.15am - 5.15pm
Bring the family and join Potty
Harry the Wizard for a fun day
out. Large garden games and
garden trail to complete.
See panel overleaf.
Garden entry.
Saturday 20 June, performance
at 7.30pm
Wednesday 19 August,
12.30 - 4pm
Blickling 1940s Evening
£26.50. Booking essential.
Space to roam for the whole family only 30 minutes away.
£25. Booking essential.
Sunday 11 October, 10am
Garden entry.
£4 adults under 14s free.
Please book.
Discover this special wilderness on the edge of the
Broads - only 50 minutes away.
Halloween
Spooktacular!
Family Halloween event
with spooky storytelling and
ghoulish happenings in the Hall.
Children’s fancy dress
competition and seasonal food
in the restaurant.
Adult £8, child £4.50, family
ticket £22 (2 adults 2 children).
Timed Hall entry between 6pm
and 8.30pm.
NOVEMBER
See panel overleaf.
Bring the family and join
Captain Funny Bones the
Pirate for a fun day out. Large
garden games and garden trail
to complete.
Horsey Windpump
Saturday 31 October,
6 - 9pm
Thursday 8 October, 6.30pm
As part of our ‘eat
seasonal and local
food’ campaign,
we are organising
a whole host
of events and
ongoing activities to celebrate where
our food comes from. Look out for
the apple logo next to events that will
make your mouth water!
Magic of Christmas
Magical evening visit to parts
of the Hall that have been
seasonally decorated. Carol
singing, large craft marquee
filled with Christmas gift ideas
and entertainment for all
the family. Food available in
the restaurant and marquee.
Timed tickets for Hall entry 5 9pm. Early bird savings (book
before 31 October): Adult
£8.75, child £4.70. Advance:
Adult £9.25, child £5.20. On
the door (if available): £11 and
£6.
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6
December, 10.30am
Crafts for Christmas
Vast selection of quality
Christmas gift ideas in one
large heated marquee. A
variety of crafts including
ceramics, jewellery, clothing
and pictures.
Tree Dressing Day
Delicious Desserts
Home-made soup followed
by a selection of four mouthwatering desserts freshly
prepared by the Head Chef
finishing with a cheese course.
Receive all the recipes so you
can create them for yourself.
Lord Lothian’s Study.
Autumnal guided walk through
Blickling Park, identifying many
fungi along the way. (sorry no dogs).
Friday 4 & Saturday
5 December
Sunday 13 December,
11am - 3.30pm
Saturday 7, 14, 21 November,
12.30pm
£20.50. Booking essential.
DECEMBER
Pay on entrance. Adult £3,
OAPs/NT £2.50, under 14s free.
Winter Wonderland
Fungi Walk
Food
Glorious
Food
Sheringham Park
£5 includes tea and cake.
Please book.
Life & Style in
the 1930s
Ahoy me Hearties!
Adult £13, child £8.
Beetroots at
Blickling
November/December,
11am - 4pm
Join National Trust Curator,
Mike Sutherill for a talk
and twilight tour of the Hall
taking us through how
Blickling was transformed
from a dowdy duckling
into an elegant swan in the
1930s, followed by a glass
of wine and canapés in the
garden rooms.
Magic & Mayhem
JUNE
Saturday 3 October,
arrive at 7pm
Local butcher Crawford
White and Blickling’s Head
Chef will demonstrate how
to prepare and cook a
Norfolk turkey ready for a
perfect Christmas dinner.
Includes two-course lunch.
Hall entry (NT members free).
Join the Catering Team in
the South Restaurant to
learn how to prepare and
cook your beetroots grown
from the free seeds given at
our May Plant Fair. You’ll be
amazed at how versatile this
little vegetable can be ever cooked chocolate and
beetroot cake? Enter the
‘biggest beet’ and recipe
competitions.
OCTOBER
Saturday 28 November,
12noon
Housekeeping and
conservation demonstrations
taking place in the show rooms
where staff prepare to close
the house for the season. Ask
housekeeping staff for advice
on caring for historic objects.
Stephen Hagon, Assistant
Head Gardener, will lead this
autumn garden tour and talk.
You will be given an insight
into the process of putting the
garden to bed, cutting down
the herbaceaous borders, bulb
planting and also learn about
the new Wilderness project.
Includes a soup and pudding
lunch in the restaurant.
See May panel for details.
The Butcher &
the Chef
£19.95. Booking essential.
Wednesday 28 October,
11am - 1pm & 2 - 4pm
Lord Lothian’s Attic Tour &
Edwardian Afternoon Tea
£30. Booking essential.
Putting the House to Bed
Mists & Mellow
Fruitfulness
Come and join us for a
nostalgic evening in 1940s
costume. Wholesome threecourse menu. In the East
Wing restaurant.
Thursday 6 August,
12.30 - 4pm
Apple themed events in the
grounds of Blickling. Children’s
activities and special menu in
the restaurant celebrating this
popular and versatile fruit. The
Apple & Pear people will be
selling a wide range of appley
produce, apple identification
and sampling different apple
and pear varieties.
House entry.
British Food
Fortnight
Morning walk followed
by demonstration. After a
soup lunch, participate in
an afternoon workshop to
create your own evergreen
Christmas wreath. Wear warm
clothing and suitable footwear.
Hall entry.
Autumn Colours
Wednesday 30 September Sunday 4 October,
1.30pm & 3pm
Join Paul Underwood,
Blickling’s Head Gardener, for a
tour of the magnificent garden.
Enjoy a leisurely walk and gain
an insight into the fascinating
history and planting schemes,
finishing at the Orangery for
wine and canapés.
Where to next?
Felbrigg Hall
Christmas Wreath
Making Workshop
£14. Please book.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.
Open air Shakespeare production
by an all-male cast. Doors open
6.30pm for picnics, please bring
your own seating in the Walled
Garden.
Garden entry.
A chance to view the
inside of the oriental and
marquetry cabinets.
Sunday 27 September, 11am
Mini Beast Safari
Twelfth Night
An opportunity to meet and
talk with the garden team
and find out more about their
extensive work programme,
and learn about the history of
the gardens.
Open Cupboards Week
See April panel for details.
From serves to sugar tongs
- come and listen to a short
talk in the Long Gallery given
by staff and volunteers on
their favourite treasure from
the house.
NGS Day
Thursday 28 May, 11am - 1pm
& 2pm - 4pm
Sizzling Summer Colour
Meet the Gardeners
Meet the Gardeners
Objects of Desire
Saturday 18 July,
10.15am - 5.15pm
Summer Scents and
Evening Sun
Join National Trust
Curator, Mike Sutherill for
a fascinating lecture and
tour on the works of John
Hungerford-Pollen an
important 19th century artist.
An opportunity to view in
detail several examples of
Pollen’s work around the
Hall. Includes morning coffee,
soup lunch and pudding.
Thursday 26 November,
10.30am
Thursday afternoons
in September
Saturday 1 August, 7pm
Thursday 14 May, 10.30am
Wednesday 14 - Friday
16 October, 11am - 5pm
September/October,
10.15am - 5.15pm
AUGUST
The Pre-Raphaelite
Experience at
Blickling
Thursday 20 August,
10.30am - 4pm
SEPTEMBER
Picnic in the park style
concerts. For information
on the Star Concerts, and
to book, please telephone
the Box Office on 0844
800 4308 or visit www.
nationaltrust.org.uk/events
Garden entry.
Pay on gate: Adult £3, child £1,
under 5’s free, £2.50 NT
members/concs.
APRIL
July, gates open 6.30pm
with music from 8pm
£14. Booking essential.
Saturday 28 February, 6.30pm
Join us for an intimate evening
tour of the Hall followed by a
sumptuous four-course dinner in
Lord Lothian’s Study.
Star Concerts
On the night of the anniversary
of the execution of Anne Boleyn
join Neil in the Hall to listen to
local spine chilling tales. At
midnight, will a stroll down the
drive find us in the company
of the ghost of Anne? Includes
light refreshments.
MAY
Magnificent May
JULY
An Evening with Neil
Storey - Historian & Norfolk
Ghost Writer
National Trust
Plant Fair
Mother’s Day
Take a walk around the garden
with Stephen Hagon, Assistant
Head Gardener and experience
the lovely scented plants and
shrubs of winter. Discover the
early snowdrops, mahonias,
hellebores, winter honeysuckle
and daphnes and learn about
the new planting scheme in
the Orangery Garden. Includes
soup lunch and pudding in
the restaurant.
Tuesday 19 May,
9pm - 12 midnight
Join in the celebration of trees
and be involved in dressing
a tree in the garden with
ribbons and shapes. Make
your decoration to hang in
the tree. Activities for children,
storytelling, face painting.
Garden entry.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20
December
Christmas Lunch
Traditional four-course
Christmas lunch with coffee
served in the grandeur of Lord
Lothian’s Study. Arrive at 12.30
for 1pm lunch.
£29.95. Booking essential.
Wild Child
Get out and enjoy the great
outdoors, whether it’s at one
of our many events or trails,
learning about nature in your
own garden or just going for
a walk look out
for our
ladybird
logo
to get
involved!
Treasure
Forever
We love looking
after our amazing
collections,
houses and
countryside, and
we all have our
personal favourite.
Come along to
discover what really inspires us,
share your own personal treasures
and learn how to care for them!