Norfolk’s National Trust-owned stately homes have seen a huge annual increase in visitors. 

But Blickling, Felbrigg and Oxburgh halls have still not yet fully recovered from Covid-19, with visitor numbers still down on pre-pandemic figures.

According to the charity’s annual report, Blickling had 170,568 visitors in the year to February 28, 2022 - a rise from 115,535 in the previous 12 months. 

But in the year covering March 2019 to February 2020 - just before the lockdowns started - there had been 216,293 visitors to the site.

There were 107,359 visitors to Felbrigg in 2021/22, up from 78,187 in 2020/21, but still down on 129,627 in 2019/2020.

Oxburgh saw 62,491 visitors in 2021/22, up from 78,187 in 2020/21 but down from 129,627 in 2019/2020.

The trust saw its income squeezed throughout the pandemic, but reported a return to growth in 2021-22, with an operating margin of £177.55. Its annual report said: “This means that we are well placed to face the challenges of higher inflation, the rising cost of living and wider economic performance.”