Blickling mausoleum walk, Norfolk
Enjoy a historical walk around part of Blickling Park. The path slopes gently through woods and open land, with a hard surface for all-weather use, leading you to the Mausoleum in Blickling Great Wood. There are plenty of seats and no steep hills, making this a good walk for all abilities.
See great views of Blickling Hall from across the lake
There are only glimpses on this walk, but the magnificent Blickling Hall and gardens are not to be missed. There are tours, events and special exhibitions on throughout the year. Admission charges apply, tickets are available at the car park.
Map
Start:
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
1
From the car park, follow the signs to the park and lake. Turn right at the tree with the seat around it, and through the gates into the park.
Barn owls
Look carefully for barn owls, as they can be spotted almost anywhere.
2
Take the left-hand path, leaving the lake behind you. Ignore the next left-hand turn and carry straight on up the slope towards the woods. Go through the gates by the cattle pens and stay on this path until you reach the information board across the field from the Tower.
The Tower
Seen across the field from the walk, and now luxurious holiday accommodation, the Tower was built for the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, John Hobart, and his guests to watch horse races. In the war, RAF officers played golf nearby.
3
With the Tower behind you, turn right and continue on until you see the Mausoleum on your left.
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.
4
With your back to the Mausoleum, leave the main path and follow the path by the white marker post. Continue on, ignoring the wide tracks leading left into the woods, until you come out onto an open stretch.
5
Halfway across, pause to look at the land as it slopes down to Moorgate and the River Bure, hidden in the trees. Some of the cottages at Blickling can be rented from us for holidays.
6
Staying on the path, continue into the woods until you come to the marker post by a seat built around a tree, then turn right, through the gate.
7
Continue on this path with the lake away to your left, looking for glimpses of the hall and gardens, until you return to the park gates where you started. Make your way back to the car park the way you came.
Blickling lake
The lake was dug in 1711 for the 2nd Earl. Its serpentine shape is meant to impress - whichever end you stand at, the other end cant be seen, giving the illusion that its a river. The lake is well-stocked for coarse fishing.
End:
Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286
