Conservation projects at Blickling Estate

A close up of a paper conservator working on a book

Conservation is an ongoing concern within the house and gardens and out to the parkland and wider estate. With your ongoing support we're able to continue our conservation work because every time you visit, you're helping us to do a little bit more, so thank you.

Man measuring up a brick

Repairing the brickwork at Blickling 

This spring we’ve been busy carrying out conservation work at Blickling that has involved repointing and repairing brickwork around the Hall.

A view of Blickling Hall across the lake
Blickling Estate   Norfolk

Reducing our carbon footprint at Blickling Estate

Blickling’s scenic lake is all set to heat the house and offices, following the installation of the largest lake source heat pump in the National Trust.

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Current conservation projects around the estate

Double fronted house stands behind a fence

Giving our cottages a new lease of life 

Thanks to your support, we're busy updating our cottages and one of them is about to be brought back into use again after two years of standing empty and unused.

Man looks down into a meter in a field in front of the orangery

Looking after your money and cutting fuel bills 

As part of the National Trust's commitment to cutting energy use by 20% by 2020 we're improving the energy efficiency throughout the estate.

Man sits on the top of a ladder reading a book
Blickling Estate   Norfolk

Cataloging Blickling's book collection

Meet the man cataloging the biggest library collection in the National Trust. John Gandy has the mammoth task of working his way through the books in the Long Gallery at Blickling.

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Close up of otter on the River Itchen Play Video
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Little river of big importance

The River Bure runs through the Blickling Estate, however our work doesn't stop there. It's vital we work with our partners on a landscape scale to ensure we care for this rare habitat. With you support we can create an environment that's rich in wildlife and accessible for you to enjoy for years to come.

Explore Blickling's Estate

Walled garden conservation 

Since 2015 we've been restoring the walled garden as part of a five year project.  The transformation within that time has been incredible, so it's worth a visit if you haven't been for some time.

The gardeners are now supplying The Stables cafes with produce to use in our dishes.  If you fancy taking some produce to enjoy at home, you'll find our fruit and vegetable stall in the walled garden, so help yourself to produce, for a small donation.

Thanks to your support the garden has been restored to its former glory
Walled garden at Blickling

Conservation in the house

Our team of dedicated conservation assistants help to care for the objects in our collection. They have three hours each day to prepare the house for visitors including vacuuming the 48 treads on the grand staircase. 

The rest of their time is spent on specific conservation projects, as well as caring for the statuary in the garden and wider estate.  

A conservation assistant cleaning the dust in a bookcase Play Video
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Deep cleaning in the house

The intricate work that goes in to cleaning the house at Blickling Estate is incredible. Here one of our conservation assistants is removing dust from a bookcase in the Long Gallery.

Views from within

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  • The roof and chimneys at Blickling Hall looking towards the lake

    We asked the house team for their favourite views...

    "I like to pop my head through the hatch on top of the clock tower; it’s the highest place on the Estate and the view over the roof towards the lake is amazing." Kenny

  • Looking out of the window at the front drive

    "Looking down the front drive.

    I imagine what it would have been like from a Servant's view; taking a peek at the VIP guests arriving in horse and carriages or even aeroplanes." Christina

  • The corner of the lake, surrounded by trees

    "The view from my bathroom window.

    No matter what the weather, it always grabs my attention. No two days are the same but I gaze to see the birds on the lake or the mist laying over the water." Jan

  • The view out to the parterre

    "The view from the attic overlooking the parterre.

    You can really appreciate the design, layout and seasonal colours of the flower borders below. It feels like I am taking a peek into a different world." Amanda