Norfolk, 3 June 2015: An open-air gallery of contemporary sculpture in the grounds of an exquisite Palladian mansion is the centrepiece of the first of an occasional series of free visitor trails, published today by Congham Hall Hotel.

'The Magnificent Seven… Norfolk Gardens', the hotel's new, illustrated trail, features this extraordinary collection, which is on display at nearby Houghton Hall. Trailblazers will be able to admire works by leading modern artists including James Turrell, whose sculpture 'Skyspace' was the first to be installed in the grounds in 2000. More of the American artist's creations can be viewed at Houghton's latest exhibition 'LightScape', which opens this Sunday, 7 June.

The 90-mile self-guided circuit of the seven gardens begins with Congham Hall's own herb collection, a brown-sign attraction that draws visitors from far and wide to see its 400 varieties, some rare, such as goat's rue, once used to treat the plague. Others include Gooderstone Water Gardens, the naturalistic re-interpretation of a wet meadow, and Sandringham Gardens, a magnificent chronicle of the changing tastes in horticultural design over the past 150 years.

The trail is captured on a handy, double-sided A4 sheet, available to download online or as a hard copy from the hotel's reception.

Congham Hall is offering a special midweek break to mark the launch of the trail. Guests booking the two-night Summer Garden Offer will enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast, staying in one of the hotel's premium Garden Rooms, with private patio overlooking Congham's herb collection. Plus they will receive two tickets to Houghton Hall's 'Lightscape' exhibition and a trug of three herbs of their choice from Congham's plot to take home. The price is £499 in total for two people sharing. Guests who wish to extend their stay can opt for four nights for the price of three, on the same basis, for £748.50, with the extra treat of two tickets to Sandringham. The offer is available Sunday to Thursday until 28 July. 'LightScape' runs from 7 June to 24 October.

Nicholas Dickinson, who heads the team at Congham Hall, said: “We have always seen Congham as a great base from which to explore this lovely corner of Norfolk. This first trail is timely for summer, with its garden theme. We hope it will enrich our guests' stay in the area, providing an easy and interesting way to spend a few memory-making hours.”

For full details of all special offers, and to book, visit www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk or call 01485 600250.

Follow developments at Congham Hall Hotel on Twitter: @Congham_Hall and at http://www.facebook.com/ConghamHallHotel.

To request images or further information, to arrange an interview with owner Nicholas Dickinson, or to enquire about press visits, please contact Little Black Book Creative: Simone Kane on 07811 161839 and simone@lbbcreative.co.uk, or Kate Simon on 07939 526109 and kate@lbbcreative.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Relaunched in May 2013, the 26-room Congham Hall Hotel sits in 30 acres of parkland, including orchards and its renowned Herb Garden. The modernised, 2 AA Rosette, bistro-style restaurant features much homegrown produce on its Menu, and now benefits from a sophisticated new bar.

Congham Hall offers five-star service at three-star prices, in stylish but relaxed surroundings. The hotel won Best Small Hotel in the UK at the International Hotel Awards in November 2012 and Best Independent Hotel at the Eastern Daily Press/VisitNorfolk.co.uk Tourism Awards in November 2013. 

Nicholas Dickinson and his team took over Congham Hall in March 2012. The hotel relaunched in May 2013 after completing the last phase of a major refurbishment. Nicholas has spent his entire working life in the luxury hotel business. Early on, he worked at the five-star country-house hotel Chewton Glen and Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. In 1994, Nicholas formed a partnership with Nigel Chapman, who had developed Woolley Grange in Wiltshire. Together, they created Luxury Family Hotels, which soon became the market leader in the UK for luxury family short breaks, and Alias Hotels, for the stylish mid-market corporate and leisure sectors. Both groups were successfully sold and Nicholas and Nigel went on to develop Martinhal Resort on Portugal's Algarve. This is Nicholas's first independent hotel project.