Cycle Blickling Estate, near Aylsham, Norfolk
Enjoy a fun walk, or cycle, around the perimeter of Blickling Park, near Aylsham, Norfolk. This multi-use trail is ideal for all-weather use with hard surface, and takes you through woods and open land. Visit the Tower, Blickling Great Wood and Mausoleum on the way round. Perfect for walkers, pushchairs: wheelchair users and cyclists. Bluebells will be seen in abundance in Great Wood in Spring.
Trail durations.
To cycle: duration approximately 45 minutes, To walk: duration approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Map
Start:
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
1
With the Visitor Centre behind you, head towards the rear of the car park and follow the fence round to the road. Turn left and then after short while bear right and head towards the gate into Blickling park. After going through the gate, the start of the multi-use trail will be found on the left.
2
The track bears away to the right into the park; then bears round to the left and then right running parallel with the Aylsham road for a way.
Marker posts
There are marker posts all along the route.
3
The path runs along a cultivated field towards a wood at the bottom end.
Long Plantation
This wood is known as Long Plantation. The path bears right and then almost immediately left. Enter the wood.
4
Enter the wood and go straight ahead heading towards point 5 and the Tower.
Long Plantation
A typical view in Long Plantation on this leisurely walk.
5
Continue on, until reaching a break in the wood and a small path to the right leading to the Tower. Take time to have a look. When finished retrace your steps to the break in the wood; turn right and continue until reaching a small car park on your left. The path then runs around Hyde Park (which can be seen through the trees on your right), eventually bearing right and running along Bunkers Hill, also on your right.
The Tower
After major restoration, The Tower is now let as a Blickling Holiday Cottage, offering excellent holiday accommodation. It was built in the 18th century as a grandstand for the second Earl of Buckinghamshire for the steeple chase racecourse which ran across the area now known as Tower Park.
6
After 200 yds (200 metres) or so, when passing another small car park, you will be entering Great Wood.
Great Wood
Great Wood has changed little since the late 18th century, with its English oaks, groves of beech and ancient sweet chestnuts, as well as superb, veteran, small-leaved limes on the banks on the south-west of the wood. In April and May sweeps of bluebells will tell you that summer is on its way. You might even spot anemones.
7
Path bears right at point 7.
8
Path goes uphill for a while; flattens out and then downhill.
9
Follow path until reaching a fir plantation and turn immediately right. This will eventually bring you to an area where you can examine the Mausoleum.
Blickling Mausoleum
After the death of the 2nd Earl in 1793, his daughter had the Mausoleum built to commemorate him. Peer through the windows and go round the back to read the memorial stone, topped by a magnificent bull - the emblem of the Hobart family.
10
When reaching a path junction, going right will take you to the Mausoleum, or turn left to continue the trail. Coming out of the wood the trail continues along an open area for 2-300 metres to an area known as the Beeches.
The Beeches
The Beeches stunningly glow gold in Autumn.
11
Turn right at the Beeches, go through the gates and head down the path. Take the opportunity to sit on the bench half-way down the hill and enjoy the view. There may be grazing animals depending on the time of the year, so watch out for them. Exit the park gates, back to the car park and enjoy much-needed refreshments at Muddy Boots café.
End:
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
