Gunby ice house pond walk
Gunby Hall & Gardens was the home of the Massingberd family. Explore the wider estate with a visit to our recently renovated ice house pond on the banks of which, according to legend, Emily Langton-Massingberd assembled her tenantry and, from the vantage point of a rowing boat, lectured them on the evils of drink. On your way back look out for the remains of the former Gunby village, which was once a thriving settlement with 15 households in 1563, but had disappeared by the time the Hall was built in 1700.
Start point
Gunby Hall and GardensTrail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Gunby Hall and Gardens
Stage 1
Enter the gardens through the ornamental gates at the front of the house. Go left past the house and follow the garden path towards the church.
Stage 2
Leave the gardens and go through the gate on your left before the church.
Bluebells in spring near Gunby's St Peter's Church, Lincolnshire | © National Trust/David Dales Stage 3
Go past the church and bear right following the fenceline of the gardens. From time to time, the field will be home to our tenant farmer's herd of Lincoln Red cattle, in case you have a dog. Look to your left and you will see the remains of the deserted medieval village.
Remains of the deserted medieval village 'Gunnebi', Lincolnshire | © National Trust Stage 4
When you reach the fence which divides the fields, turn left and head towards the clump of trees.
Stage 5
Go through the gate and you have arrived at the ice house pond.
Stage 6
Walk around the pond and either enter the field through the gate or just before, divert to the left and into the woodland to see the fairy house. Then retrace your steps and enter the field through the gate.
Stage 7
Retrace your steps to St Peter's church and pass through the wrought iron kissing gate, and return to the gardens or courtyard for a hot drink.
End point
Gunby Hall and Gardens
Trail map
Map for Gunby ice house pond walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Monksthorpe Chapel walk
Explore old churches and Monksthorpe Chapel on this scenic walk around Gunby's estate, as well as plentiful birdlife and a disused railway line.
Gunby Hall to Bratoft Manor walk
This linear trail takes in the historical lumps and bumps of the former Medieval village of Gunby.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
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.