It sounds just like a Doctor Who plot. The iron men have invaded a stately home in deepest Norfolk - quick, get the Tardis.

But the 100-strong horde is the work of sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, who has spent four months setting up his installation Time Horizon at Houghton Hall.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the 100 cast iron figures which have been installed at Houghton HallOne of the 100 cast iron figures which have been installed at Houghton Hall (Image: Chris Bishop)

Figures are arranged across 300 acres of the grounds - some buried up to their necks, others looking down from towering plinths.

Each is an identical cast iron likeness of Sir Antony himself, best known for creating the Angel of the North at Gateshead.

Eastern Daily Press: While some of the figures have been buried up to their necks, others stand on towering plinthsWhile some of the figures have been buried up to their necks, others stand on towering plinths (Image: Chris Bishop)

"My ambition for this show is that people should roam far and wide," he said.

"Art has recently privileged the object rather than the experience that objects can initiate.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the figures standing in the grounds of Houghton HallOne of the figures standing in the grounds of Houghton Hall (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Time Horizon is not a picture, it is a field and you are in it."

Lord Cholmondeley, owner of Houghton Hall, said: "It's incredibly exciting to have this show here.

Eastern Daily Press: A figure looks out across an avenue towards others in the distanceA figure looks out across an avenue towards others in the distance (Image: Chris Bishop)

"It was going to go to Chatsworth at one point and we're glad it didn't. 

"It's immersive, there's so much to walk around. It couldn't have gone better despite the horrible weather, we managed to install these things with a digger in the pouring rain."

Eastern Daily Press: Some of Houghton's famous deer graze around one of the statuesSome of Houghton's famous deer graze around one of the statues (Image: Chris Bishop)

The work has previously been shown in Italy, in 2006, but has never gone on display in the UK.

The exhibition opens to the public on Sunday, April 21, with tickets priced £22 if booked in advance online.

Eastern Daily Press: A figure stands in a hall, while another can be glimpsed through a doorwayA figure stands in a hall, while another can be glimpsed through a doorway (Image: Chris Bishop)

A display of ceramic and glass work by Dame Magdalene Odundo will also be opening at Houghton this summer.

Houghton Hall was built by Sir Robert Walpole, Great Britain’s first Prime Minister, in around 1722.

Eastern Daily Press: Some 100 cast iron figures have been installed around the grounds of Houghton HallSome 100 cast iron figures have been installed around the grounds of Houghton Hall (Image: Chris Bishop)

Designed by prominent Georgian architects Colen Campbell and James Gibbs, it is one of the country’s finest examples of Palladian architecture.

Houghton and its estate passed to the Cholmondeley family at the end of the 18th century and remains their family home.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the media at Friday's launch of Time HorizonMembers of the media at Friday's launch of Time Horizon (Image: Chris Bishop)