Built for Britain's first de-facto prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, in 1730, Palladian-style Houghton Hall is famed for its lavish interiors, overflowing with gilt, tapestries, murals, woodcarving, statuary and heirloom furniture. The surrounding park and the 2-hectare walled garden are dotted with contemporary sculptures by Rachel Whiteread, Henry Moore and others. Houghton Hall is just off the A148, 13 miles east of King's Lynn. Hours vary; call for the latest information.
Houghton might have been even more lavish but Sir Robert Walpole's grandson flogged off the estate's splendid art collection to Catherine the Great of Russia to pay off his debts – forming the foundation of the world-renowned collection at the State Hermitage in St Petersburg.