Ickworth Estate | Monument Trail
This route forms the second ½ of the Multi-use track (The first half is the Linnet Valley trail). Taking you to the Monument at the southern end of the park, passing St Mary’s Church, The Walled garden and returning past the Fairy Lake. One of the highlights is the spectacular view across the Linnet Valley to the Rotunda.
Near to
Ickworth EstateStart point
Car Park, grid reference TL814616Trail information
Total stages: 15
Total stages: 15
Start point
Car Park, grid reference TL814616
Stage 1
From the Car Park turn right and take the gravel road past Porter’s Lodge. Take the right fork and continue to the five bar Deer Park gate.
Stage 2
Continue straight on and look out for the Parson's pond on your right, then continue on past St Mary’s church on your left. The path bears right alongside the Walled Garden and continues downhill to the bottom of the Deer park and a bridge. Dogs are welcome in the Walled Garden but please keep them on short leads at all times.
Stage 3
Cross the bridge and up Stoney Hill in front of you. (The trail leading right is the Linnet Valley trail). This was the Chevington Way used by villagers to take their livestock and produce to the market in Bury St Edmunds. Near the top the road bears left between Stoneyhill Wood and Downter’s Wood.
Stage 4
Just before the gravel path bears left you will pass one of Ickworth’s Wellingtonia (sequoiadendron giganteum) world’s largest trees. Go through the five bar gate and to your left are 3 trees an ideal picnic spot which gives you one of the best views looking across to the Walled Garden, St. Mary’s Church and Rotunda.
Stage 5
Follow the gravel path through the five bar gate into the woods through a herb rich meadow.
Stage 6
Follow the gravel path for about ½ mile (1 km) as it meanders its way through Chevington Field Plantation and Lownde Wood. You may see Roe deer between the trees or hear Woodpeckers.
Stage 7
The gravel path follows alongside Monument Meadow and you will glimpse the Monument through the trees. Shortly a path will appear on your right take this go through the five bar gate and walk across the meadow to the monument. (the field may not be suitable to mobility scooters / wheelchairs) This meadow on the southern boundary at 105m is the highest point on the estate and the 2nd highest in Suffolk. Lord Bristol’s Monument is 95 feet high made of limestone with lengthy inscription in memory of the Early Bishop and was erected in 1817.
Stage 8
Retrace your steps to the gravel path and turn right, as you pass Martin’s Green Field where you can see the Rotunda in the distance.
Stage 9
Just past Ivy Cottage the path bears left in to Lady Katherine’s Wood. Walking through this wood you may be lucky to see Fallow Deer that roam this park. Soon you will pass the Round House a former gamekeeper’s cottage, now a National Trust holiday cottage and another Wellingtonia tree.
The exterior of The Round House | © National Trust Images/Mike Henton Stage 10
Continuing down the path you soon arrive at the Fairy lake, which was created by damming the River Linnet and the path runs along the top of the dam. There is a bench facing the lake, take a moment to rest and appreciate the silence and view. Along with the Mallard Ducks and Coots you may be lucky and see a Heron. Near to the bench is a path that drops down steps and along a board walk which joins your path further along (this is not suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs or pushchairs).
Stage 11
Just past the lake the path turns left and follows the river Linnet. From here you can get glimpses of the Rotunda across Tuft Close.
Stage 12
Staying on the gravel path, you will come across a bird hide where you can observe an abundant variety of birds. Continue along this path up alongside the Walled Garden. You will shortly pass St. Mary’s Church.
Stage 13
At St. Mary’s Church, drop in and see the 13th century altar with the 14th century wall painting of the Annunciation of Angel Gabriel. The field behind the church is the site of the Ickworth Medieval Hall.
Stage 14
As you walk on you will see a row of Oak trees to your left which is the site of the Hamlet of Ickworth. You will soon pass Parsons Pond which is near the site of the parsonage, burnt down in the 16th century. From the original deeds the parsonage consisted of a 'hall, a parlour, a dairy and buttery, two little lower chambers, and three upper chambers.
Stage 15
Pass through the five bar gate and take the second turn on your right which leads you to West Wing and the Rotunda, or straight ahead past Porters Lodge and to the Car Park.
End point
Car Park, grid reference TL814616
Trail map
Monument Trail Walk, Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © Ordnance Survey
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Ickworth Estate | Linnet Valley Trail
This route forms the first ½ of the Multi-use track (the 2nd is the Monument Walk). Taking you past Ickworth Lodge and along the River Linnet and up past the Walled Garden and St. Mary’s Church. Buzzard and Kingfishers frequent this area of the park; Roe Deer can be seen at Dawn and Dusk.
Ickworth Estate | Albana Walk
A short circular walk through some of the woodlands around Ickworth. If you have the energy when you walk along the Trim Trail try your hand on various fitness objects, ranging from pole climbing to ladder walks and leap frog.