SIR ROBERT WALPOLE
Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745) dominated parliament for over two decades and is generally regarded as Britain’s first prime minister. Born at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, one of England’s grandest country houses, and later educated at Eton and Cambridge, Walpole was the first prime minister to live and work at 10 Downing Street. Life wasn’t always so easy for Sir Robert, however: ridiculed as “Sir Blustering” by his enemies, Walpole sailed closed to corruption and once spent six months marooned in the Tower of London.
Based in King’s Lynn, where Sir Robert was MP for forty years, this long-weekend course will unravel Walpole’s life and legacy with visits to several family homes. We will enjoy a private tour of Houghton Hall, where we will dine in the company of a direct descendant of Walpole, the Marquess of Cholmondeley, the present Lord Great Chamberlain of England. There will also be special visits to two properties owned by the current Lord and Lady Walpole: Mannington, a moated mediaeval house in origin, and Wolterton, another of the great Palladian houses of Norfolk built for Horatio Walpole, Sir Robert’s brother.
We stay at the Duke’s Head Hotel in King’s Lynn, a 16th century coaching inn overlooking the historic market place.
This tour will be led by Mary Dicken MA (Oxon), DipEd, a former head of history at a leading Cambridge independent school. She lectures extensively for the WEA and U3A and is a principal examiner for A level history.
Itinerary
Day 1Course assembles 1300 at Duke’s Head Hotel, King’s Lynn for two nights. Afternoon: private tour of Houghton Hall (magnificent 18th century interiors and park, attractive modern gardens). Evening lecture: The Walpole Family. Sherry reception.
Day 2Whole-day excursion to Wolterton Park (built by Thomas Ripley in 1720s for Horatio Walpole, home of Lord and Lady Walpole) and Mannington Hall (home of Lord and Lady Walpole) lunch included. Evening: dinner at Houghton Hall in company of Marquess of Cholmondeley.
Day 3Morning lecture: Sir Robert Walpole followed by walking tour of King’s Lynn (Walpole’s constituency for 40 years). Course disperses 1300 at hotel.
Cost includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, drinks reception, breakfast, dinner & one lunch, excursions & admissions (except in the case of English Heritage properties, where English Heritage members gain free access on production of their membership card - any non-members are required to pay the relevant admission charge upon entry).
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £25.
