Skip to content
back to Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens

Explore the Gunby estate

View from the parkland towards Gunby Hall, framed by mature trees beneath a clear evening sky.
Surrounded by rolling parkland and mature trees, Gunby Estate offers a peaceful escape into the Lincolnshire countryside. | © National Trust Images/Rupert Truman

With 1,500 acres to explore, the Gunby Estate offers peaceful walks through parkland rich in history and nature. Take a gentle stroll to the Ice House Pond, or venture further to discover the lost village of Gunby and the remains of the medieval moated manor once home to the Massingberd family before Gunby Hall was built.

Walk to the ice house pond

Discover a quieter side of the Gunby Estate. This gentle route leads past St Peter’s Church and across open parkland to a peaceful, secluded pond, before revealing a striking view of Gunby Hall on the return journey.

Along the way, look out for traces of the lost village of Gunby. Once home to around 15 households in the 16th century, the settlement had vanished by the time Gunby Hall was built in 1700, leaving only subtle clues in the landscape today.

The ice house pond at Gunby showing green and luscious trees around the ponds calm and reflective surface.
The ice house pond is a 30 minute walk from the Gunby gardens and the journey is full of beautiful countryside | © National Trust

Walk to the remains of Bratoft Manor

Explore the wider Gunby Estate on this four-mile route to the nearby village of Bratoft. Crossing open parkland and peaceful countryside, the walk leads to the remains of Bratoft Manor, once home to the Massingberd family before they moved to Gunby Hall.

Along the way, you’ll also pass the former East Lincolnshire railway line, built in 1848 to connect Grimsby and Boston. Now a quiet permissive path, it becomes rich with wildflowers in the summer months and offers a peaceful place to pause and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Monksthorpe Chapel, on the Gunby Estate, Lincolnshire
Discover centuries of history at peaceful Monksthorpe Chapel | © National Trust Images/David Sellman

Walk to Monksthorpe Chapel 

For those looking to explore further afield, an eight-mile walk from Gunby leads to the peaceful setting of Monksthorpe Chapel. Now cared for by the National Trust, the chapel remained in regular use for worship until the 1970s and offers a fascinating glimpse into Lincolnshire’s rural history.

As you explore, look out for the open-air baptistry used for full-immersion baptisms, along with the nearby memorial honouring those who lost their lives in a tragic accident at the adjacent RAF Spilsby airfield in 1944.

Directions for all estate walks can be downloaded using the QR codes in the car park and near the gate leading into the parkland from the gardens. Printed copies are also available from the welcome shed in the car park.

You might also be interested in

Explore the gardens at Gunby Hall 

Explore eight acres of beautifully designed gardens, each filled with seasonal colour, scent and texture. From the first signs of spring to the rich tones of autumn, there’s always something new to discover at Gunby’s gardens.

A winding path through colourful summer borders in Gunby’s Walled Garden, filled with yellow, pink and purple flowers.

Visiting Gunby with your dog 

With over 1,500 acres of grounds, Gunby is the perfect place to bring your dog. Find out all you need to know about making your visit an enjoyable one. Gunby is a two pawprint rated place. 

Dog on a lead at Nostell Priory in West Yorkshire

Explore Gunby Hall 

Explore Gunby Hall, which was home to the Massingberd family for over 250 years. The house features intimate living spaces filled with notable objects, artistic works, and homely décor.

The music room at Gunby Hall showing chairs, a sofa, and a fireplace directly ahead. At the sides you can see old cupboards and on the right hand side there is light flowing through the clear sash windows.

Family-friendly things to do at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens 

Create special moments together at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens. Step inside the house to uncover stories from the past, spot hidden details and let imaginations wander through the rooms and collections. Outside, the gardens are yours to explore, with winding paths, colourful borders and open spaces perfect for little adventures and quiet moments alike. Whether you’re discovering nature, enjoying time together outdoors or pausing for a homemade treat in the tea-room, there’s something for all ages to enjoy at your own pace throughout the year.

A child enjoying a hug with a grown up

Group visits to Gunby Hall and Gardens 

Find out more about booking your group visit to Gunby and the information you need to help plan your trip.

A photo of a smiling group of Gunby team members in front of the red brick house at Gunby

Volunteer opportunities at Gunby Hall and Gardens 

Find out more about volunteering opportunities at Gunby and how you can join the team to play your part in looking after this homely country house and estate.

Two volunteers at Gunby talking while sitting on a perching bench in the car park at Gunby. There is a smell shed and green countryside behind them.

Countryside and woodland 

Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.

Summer sun shining through the woodland at Blakes Wood in Essex

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Walkers on the South West Coast Path at East Soar, Devon

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.