点评:This is one of the most interesting great houses we have had the pleasure to see. Built between 1734 and 1764 and privately owned by the Coke (pronounced “Cook”) family since then, it is a success story that integrates history and farming. Although tourism clearly makes up a very significant chunk of its revenue, the 25,000 acre estate’s farming, forestry and construction operations - all of which adhere to agricultural, ecological, conservation, and sustainability best practices - fill the coffers. Before you tour the William Kent-designed Palladian house, visit the massive walled garden, rent a bike for the day, attend a special event, or walk for free in the park, please take the time to explore the exceptional Holkam Stories Exhibit just past the ticket office. Not only does it set the stage for your day, but it outlines how cutting edge technology, now and in the past, has often been integrated into its operations. In fact, this exhibit is so good we spent a full hour there! As for the house, it is - as one would expect - spectacular, but since it is a working home there is not as much information available in the rooms as one might encounter at other great homes (no matter: ask a volunteer). The vast walled garden, a 15-minute walk from the house, is worth a visit to see how successfully it is being brought back to life after years of neglect. The gift shop is well stocked with a wide variety of local items. All told, we found our day at Holkam fascinating and more than a bit surprising. Allow at least four hours (but we spent over six).
翻译:这是我们有幸参观过的最引人入胜的庄园之一。它建于1734年至1764年间,此后一直由可口可乐(发音为“Cook”)家族私人拥有,是一座将历史与农业完美融合的成功典范。虽然旅游业显然占据了庄园收入的很大一部分,但这座占地25,000英亩的庄园的农业、林业和建筑业务——所有这些都遵循农业、生态、保护和可持续发展的最佳实践——也为庄园带来了丰厚的收入。在您参观威廉·肯特设计的帕拉第奥式住宅、参观巨大的围墙花园、租一辆自行车一日游、参加特别活动或在公园免费散步之前,请务必花点时间参观售票处附近的精彩霍尔卡姆故事展览。它不仅为您的一天的旅程奠定了基础,还概述了过去和现在尖端技术是如何融入庄园运营的。事实上,这个展览太棒了,我们在那里待了整整一个小时!至于房子,正如人们所料,它确实很壮观,但由于它是一栋仍在使用的住宅,房间里的信息不如其他豪宅那么多(没关系:问问志愿者)。从房子步行15分钟就能到达一个宽阔的围墙花园,值得一游,看看它在多年荒废后是如何成功恢复生机的。礼品店里琳琅满目的当地特色商品琳琅满目。总而言之,我们在霍尔卡姆的一天过得精彩纷呈,惊喜不断。至少预留四个小时(但我们花了六个多小时)。