Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk, Church and Ice house walk
Dating from the 15th Century, Felbrigg was the home of the historian Robert Ketton-Cremer, and before him other Ketton-Cremers and Windhams, who long ago were de Felbriggs. This varied circular walk goes through open fields and woods, passing a church, lake, the ice house and a variety of interesting trees.
Along this circular walking trail you'll pass historic buildings dating back to the 1700s, notable trees, a hidden lake and an imaginatively planted arrangement of beech trees. Easy, 2.5 miles. Suitable for families.
Map
Start:
Felbrigg Hall main car park, grid ref: TG193394
1
From the noticeboard at the main car park, with the hall ahead and slightly to the right, take the first left hand surfaced path and go through the iron gate, following the track to the church.
Felbrigg Hall
The Hall, once described as a hidden gem, is a place of surprises and delights. Admission charges apply to non-National Trust members. Events take place throughout the year.
2
Go through the small gate beside the churchyard wall and follow the path across the field to the right; as indicated by the green arrow. Ignore the stile and large field gate straight ahead and go to the right of the group of trees.
St Margaret's Church
The church is usually open and has several interesting brasses, including that of Sir Simon Felbrigg and his wife. This is one of the few remaining brasses of a 15th-century Knight of the Garter.
3
Go through the kissing gate with the bench beside it and turn left. Go through a second kissing gate ahead and turn right down the hill, towards the lake. Go through the gate and along the path beside the lake. At the end of the lake, turn right onto the surfaced path through the woods.
The lake
The lake, which is invisible from the Hall, was created in the mid-18th-century by damming the Scarrow Beck. A pleasant and attractive feature, the lake encourages a wide range of bio-diversity and has a variety of fish stock, including Pike, Tench and Rudd etc.
4
Go through the gate, onto the boardwalk and up the slope. Turn left at the top, along the track between two fences. You'll pass The Great Felbrigg Sessile Oak on the right along here. If you want a shorter walk, go through the gate behind the oak and head back towards the hall, otherwise continue straight and through the next gate.
Sessile Oak
This oak is thought to have started its life around 500 years ago. It marks the boundary between Felbrigg and Aylmerton parishes.
5
Follow the left hand fence and go through the next gate. Follow the path, going straight ahead where it forks, and go through the kissing gate. Veer to the right and go through the small gap next to the brick wall. The track runs beside the brick wall and crosses a small car park.
6
At the road, turn left towards the painted house, but before you reach it, turn right into the woods by a marker post and the Corstorphine Sycamore labelled (9), on left.
7
From here, follow the track round to the right, up a slope passing the Ice house. Just after the Ice house, turn right and continue on the path.
Ice house
The Ice house (on the boundary with Aylmerton Parish) is a Grade II listed building in its own right. Built in the 18th-century and restored in the 20th, it used Flemish bond brick, with a brick dome at the top.
8
When you reach the Victory 'V', take the left 'arm' and walk down slope to the car park at the bottom. Refreshments and toilets will be found on the right near the Hall.
Felbrigg's Victory 'V'
These two linked avenues of beech were planted in 1946, in memory of the last squire's brother, Richard Windham. It was designed to be seen as a 'V' from the air.
End:
Felbrigg Hall main car park, grid ref: TG193394
