Houghton Estate, the home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, has been given the go-ahead for an "eco retreat".

The plans include 45 wooden cabins, saunas and outdoor pools and baths.

The woods earmarked for an eco retreat off the Bircham Road, at Houghton (Image: Google)

A map showing where cabins will be sited in the woods at Houghton (Image: Holder Matthias Architects)

It will be sited amid the trees on part of the 1,500-acre estate which borders Prince William and Kate Middleton's home at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate.

David Cholmondeley and his wife Rose Hanbury are said to be friends of the royals, who live a few minutes' drive from their Palladian retreat, which was built for Britain's first prime minister Sir Robert Walpole in the 18th century.

Anmer Hall, home of the Prince and Princess of Wales (Image: Ian Burt)

One of the cabins proposed for the woods at Houghton (Image: Holder Matthias Architects)

William and Kate were among the guests when the Cholmondeleys hosted a glittering charity gala at Houghton for East Anglia's Children's Hospices.

The couples are said to have become friends since the then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall moved into Anmer Hall in 2015, after they were given it as a wedding gift by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The eco retreat will be close to the home of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Anmer Hall (Image: Phil Noble/PA Wire)

Lord and Lady Cholmondeley pictured opening a new classroom at Harpley Primary School, near their home at Houghton Hall (Image: Ian Burt)

The Princess is also reported to have attended one of the 24-hour music festivals which the Cholmondeleys host in their grounds accompanied by her protection team.

Planning papers suggest the eco retreat will be a somewhat quieter, more relaxing affair.

A statement from the estate and co-developer Wyld Cabins said: "Guests are encouraged to experience their natural environment, to slow down, relax, absorb and enjoy the surrounding tranquillity."

Houghton Hall, between King's Lynn and Fakenham (Image: Ian Burt)

King Charles is greeted by Lord and Lady Cholmondeley when he arrives by helicopter for a visit to Houghton Hall whilst he was Prince of Wales in 2013 (Image: Ian Burt)

It adds typical visitors at the site off Bircham Road would be professionals juggling family, work, technology, social media and wellness, while the resort would be open all-year-round.

It said the cabins would provide "a sensitive, innovative, landscape-led development which will release sustainable income streams whilst protecting and enhancing the site’s biodiversity, heritage and landscape value".

Houghton has also become known for large-scale installations of sculptures and other artworks in its grounds, including 100 life-sized iron statues cast by Sir Antony Gormley in 2024.

© Eastern Daily Press