Now that the weather is starting to cool down a bit, with leaves already beginning to fall, you might have been wondering where to get out and explore over the autumn months, and we’ll be sharing some of our favourite National Trust country houses up and down the country, all of which are well worth spending the day or even just a few hours in.
And when it comes to September, there is so much to enjoy and take advantage of at Oxburgh Estate in Norfolk. So, if you’re already planning what to do on an upcoming weekend or want to make the most of any annual leave you may have remaining, here’s why Autumn at Oxburgh should definitely be on your list.
Located at Oxburgh Estate on the edge of the Norfolk Brecks, from September 7th until mid-November, you’ll find everything from an Everyday Histories trail to sketching sessions in the house and plenty of seasonal harvest-inspired activities outdoors to keep everyone entertained.
And, in addition to the Autumn activities, you won’t want to miss some of the recent additions either, such as the newly discovered Queen Esther tapestry and the freshly restored Molyneux-Seel portraits, both of which are now on display.
If you’ve yet to visit Oxburgh Estate, expect a vast red brick moated manor, which is now owned and maintained by the National Trust.
First built by the Bedingfeld family in 1482, the Estate has survived everything from Civil War devastation and near dereliction, to religious persecution and threatened demolition.
Yet, today, it welcomes visitors to the former family home, as well as the gardens, an orchid, and woodland and meadows which stretch along the River Gadder, making it a brilliant day out for the entire family. But, let’s get back to Autumn at Oxburgh, and the events that will be taking place.
One of the biggest draws, if you pardon the pun, is Drawing On The Estate. From September 7th onward, visitors will be able to pick up a sketching bag from Visitor Welcome to have a go at seeing and capturing the Estate a little differently than they usually would. 
Whether you’ve got little budding artists or are looking for a way to pick up a new or embrace a previous hobby, you can get drawing, sketching and creating thanks to the tools provided. Plus, you can even pick up a small camping stool on the way in, so you can sit down, take your time and put your own spin on some of the collection’s most captivating items.
Another great new addition for the autumnal months is the Everyday Histories trail. Taking you on three routes around the Gardens, these trails will allow you to follow in the footsteps of three workers who lived and worked at the Estate in the twentieth century. From 'Ruth's Route', for housemaid Ruth English, to Winifred Cooper’s 'Winifred's Way', who was the main housekeeper and ran the family nursery, to 'Fred's footsteps', which highlights the life of Fred Greef, former Head gardener for the Bedingfelds and later the National Trust, each will give you a new point of view from which to enjoy and explore the grounds. 
With each path intersecting in their own way, their daily routines, alongside the tools and objects, clothing and general belongings should also give you lots of inspiration if you’re sketching as you go.
As for other highlights that you won’t want to miss, after being lost for over a century, the rare 16th Century Queen Esther tapestry is back on display from now until December this year.
Part of a previous collection of seven tapestries, which were once hung together in Oxburgh Hall, this is the only one to have been recovered after they went missing many years ago. And we have a chance encounter by National Trust research curator and collector, Jeremy Warren, who spotted a rare tapestry for sale at a fine art fair and recognised it as one of several that once adorned the walls of The Kings Room at Oxburgh Hall, to thank for its return.
Depicting the story of King Ahasuerus and in particular, Queen Esther, her presence in the tapestry reflects both the Bedingfelds’ religious identity as well as the family’s wealth and status at that time in the sixteenth century. And it’s quite the sight to behold.
2026 also marks the return of a pair of newly restored Molyneux-Seel portraits. After decades apart, a young honeymooning couple have finally been reunited following a careful restoration, with them now being displayed together. The pair of portraits of Thomas Molyneux-Seel and Agnes Bedingfeld, by neo-classical artist Ferdinando Cavalleri, were originally bequeathed to the National Trust in the 1970s. However, even though Thomas’ likeness hung proudly in Oxburgh’s library for nearly fifty years, Agnes’ portrait mysteriously lost its frame, making it more susceptible to damage, which led to it being kept in the attic, instead of being on display.
In 2023, the team at Oxburgh secured a grant from The Royal Oak Foundation to start work on this conservation project. Not only were both portraits restored, but a brand-new frame was commissioned for Agnes using centuries-old techniques, with several small tears in the canvas of her portrait also being repaired. And to celebrate their triumphant homecoming, the two portraits will take centre stage in a new exhibition, ‘A Regency Romance’, which explores the language of love during the era and their relationship through extracts from letters, diaries and collection objects, including a pair of miniature portraits of the couple painted shortly after their engagement and a set of decanters and glasses that they purchased on honeymoon.
With Autumn at Oxburgh taking place until the middle of November, there’s plenty of time to visit, and the event itself is free to attend. If you don’t already happen to be a National Trust member, entrance prices start at £14 (without gift aid) for adults, and £7 (without gift aid) for children aged between five and seventeen – under-fives go free. You can also book a Family ticket, for two adults and two children, from £35, with this ticket price including entry into Oxburgh Hall, formal garden and wider parkland.
