Once Elizabethan England’s largest and most glittering house, Holdenby subsequently became the Palace and then the prison of King Charles I. Today the house incorporates a wing of the old Palace and is surrounded by stunning Grade I listed gardens, which have been replanted by Rosemary Verey and Rupert Golby.
Holdenby Gardens and Icarus Falconry Centre are open every weekend from 2nd April – 25th September (see website for details). Icarus Falconry Centre, located within the old walled garden, has an impressive collection Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Buzzards, Owls & Vultures which do special displays on open days together with their new British Wildlife Collection including Roxy the Fox, Norma the hedgehog and Neil & Neon the rats.
The House is open by appointment to groups and on special event days, specified on their website. Holdenby is also a magnificent venue for weddings, events and corporate functions. Its Heritage Education Programme has won more awards than any other house in the country and it has appeared many times on TV, including as Satis House In the BBC’s “Great Expectations“.
