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Holkham Hall, home of the Coke family and
the Earls of Leicester, was built between 1734 and 1764 by Thomas
Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester. This Palladian style mansion reflects
Thomas Coke's appreciation of classical art developed during his "Grand
Tour" of Europe which lasted 6 years and from which he returned in
the spring of 1718.
Although called the Marble Hall, the room is chiefly
constructed of alabaster, softer and more translucent than marble.
The stone was transported to Holkham by barge along the River Trent
to Gainsborough, where it was transferred to a ship and thence by
sea to Wells.
The marble hall is 50ft high with a ceiling design
by Inigo Jones. The plaster work is moulded, not carved and is the
work of Thomas Clark of Westminster.
The statues in the niches around the hall are predominantly
plaster copies of ancient Greek and Roman gods. Bought for the 1st
Earl by Matthew Brettingham, son of the clerk of works.
Holkham Hall and the surrounding countryside are
a firm favourite with television and film directors.
Gwyneth Paltrow trod on Holkham sand for the last
shot in Shakespeare In Love, David Jason and Maggie Smith dined
in the great saloon for All The Kings Men and the Marble Hall was
once used as an opulent backdrop for Des Lynham to sit in regal
splendour and sell deodorant to the world!
See also:
Green State
bedroom at Holkham Hall
Internet Links:
Holkham Hall
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