Norfolk

Blickling lake walk

A tranquil walk around Blickling Park and lake, keeping the formal garden and Jacobean House in view. Visiting the Mount, Ha-ha, Doric Temple and Orangery, with gentle slopes, woods, open fields, frequent seats and breathtaking views, the lake walk is a walk for the 'not so energetic'. Ideal for families.

Near to

Blickling Estate

Start point

Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*Firm grass paths, seats, tree roots, gates. May be muddy in wet weather. For further information please visit the section marked Terrain.
**Due to tree roots on the east side of the lake, this walk is not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or PMVs.
***Dogs welcome but to be kept on a lead. For further information visit the section marked Facilities.

Address
Blickling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 6NF
Directions via Google Maps
By train
North Walsham, 8 miles (13km); Aylsham Bure Valley Railway 2 miles (3.2km).
By bus
Sanders Norfolk 42, 43 and some 44A journeys run between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich, stopping at Aylsham which is is 2 miles (3.2km) away. Sanders Coaches route 56 stops at Blickling Hall on school days only.
Sanders Coaches timetable
Cycling
On B1354 Aylsham to Saxthorpe road. Permitted path alongside Bure Valley Railway.
Cycle route information
By road
On B1354, Blickling road between Aylsham and Saxthorpe.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
Stage 1
From Blickling main car park, facing the visitor centre, skirt the left-hand side of the building and follow the path down to the road. Turn left and follow the road until you reach the large black and white gates. Go through the gates and look for a path on your right, waymarked in blue heading into a patch of trees.
View of house, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate | © National Trust Images
Stage 2
Now follow the path through the grass and trees until you reach the lake and turn left. When you reach a bench on the lakeside, look to the left and see if you can see the mausoleum in the distance.
Stage 3
Continuing along the path to the end of the lake, go through the gate and cross the dam. You may see several anglers, and there are some seats if you fancy resting for a while. After crossing the dam you will see two gates. Take the right-hand gate and follow the lake path until reaching a small area of woodland and the Mount.
Approaching the mount, Blickling Lake Walk,, Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © National Trust Images
Stage 4
As you come out of the woodland you will be greeted by a fantastic view of the house and gardens. To your left you will see an artificial hill known as the Mount.
Stage 5
When reaching the bottom of the lake, to your right is a low red-bricked wall known as the Ha-ha.
Ha ha, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © National Trust Images
Stage 6
When reaching the end of this section of the ha-ha, go through the gate on your right and continue with the ha-ha (now a fence). The bank to the right is covered with daffodils in spring, and at about the halfway point you can see the back of the Doric Temple.
Stage 7
Bearing right through the gate at the end of the ha-ha will bring you into Greenhouse Park. Look out for the Orangery on your right. Ahead of you through the gate, lies the church of St Andrew and former rectory.
Stage 8
Carry on alongside the garden boundary and pass through the last gate of the walk. The church of St Andrew and old rectory will be seen to your left. Once through the trees and into the Home Farm courtyard, you will find the seasonal Farmyard café and the second hand bookshop.
Stage 9
To return to the car park, go past the cottages, Dairy Farmhouse (a National Trust holiday let) and church on your left, and turn right in front of the house. Enjoy the view down the main drive to the magnificent Blickling Hall.
Blickling Hall
For four centuries, Blickling Estate has been home to many, from the Boleyn family to the RAF stationed here in the Second World War. The current Blickling Hall was built on the ruins of the old Boleyn property, by Sir Henry Hobart, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and 1st Baronet, in the reign of James I. It has been in our care since 1940. See the Blickling homepage for the house opening times.
End point
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
Trail map
Blickling Estate Lake Walk route | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The pyramid shaped Mausoleum at Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Trail

Blickling Estate walk

Explore the Blickling Estate's parkland on this family-friendly walk, visiting points of interest including the Tower, Brickyard and Mausoleum.

The Mausoleum Pyramid, designed by Joseph Bonomi 1796-97, on the Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Trail

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This historical scenic stroll through woods and open land at Blickling Park leads you to its striking Mausoleum. Look out for barn owls along the way.

A bridge over a stream at Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Trail

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