Suffolk

Ickworth Estate | Walled Garden and Canal Walk

Ickworth Church and Summer House from Canal Lake | © Michael Graham

A circular walk taking you to the Walled Garden, and Canal lake, which is a haven for wildlife. There is a great view of the Walled Garden from the far side of the Canal lake, with St. Mary’s church, and the Rotunda behind. Dogs are allowed into the Walled Garden.

Near to

Ickworth Estate

Start point

Porter's Lodge, grid reference TL8154161537

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)

Duration 35 mins to 1 hour

Dog friendly*

*Dogs are allowed into the Walled Garden, we just ask that like with the rest of the estate they are kept on a lead at all times. Dogs aren't able to go into the vegetable patch within the Walled Garden.

Address
Ickworth Estate, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. IP29 5QE
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
4½ miles via footpaths from Bury St Edmunds, please use the main entrance through Horringer village.
By train
Bury St Edmunds 3 miles
By bus
Ickworth is on the road between Bury St Edmunds and Clare/ Haverhill. There are regular bus services from Bury St Edmunds town centre including the Number 14 and 15 bus. The bus stop is in the village of Horringer and it's about a 15 minute walk from the bus stop to Ickworth's visitor centre.
Cycling
4½ miles via the road and cycle paths from Bury St Edmunds, please use the main entrance through Horringer village for access to Ickworth. We have a multi-use cycle trail as part of the estate offer.
By road
from A14 take junction 42 towards Westley; on west side of A143. For all other routes head towards Horringer. Parking: Welcome kiosk situated on the drive for entry, visitor information and direction to the main car park or overflow car parking as applicable when visiting. Please stop at the kiosk and have any membership cards ready. Sat Nav: Please don't use our postcode for your SatNav, the main entrance to the Ickworth Estate is via Horringer Village on the A143 and follow the brown signs. Please avoid routes through Chevington (as this is a no through road).
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Porter's Lodge, grid reference TL8154161537
Stage 1
From the Porter’s Lodge turn left and take the right fork in the road and continue to the five bar gate. Go through the gate into Deer Park and follow the road.
Stage 2
Continue straight on and look out for the Parson's pond on your right, with the row of old oak trees beyond, which was the site of the Hamlet of Ickworth.
Parson's Pond
This pond 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.' The original Ickworth village also stood in this vicinity and was home to approximately 100 inhabitants. The line of Oak trees is approximately the area of the Hamlet.
Stage 3
Walk on down to St Mary’s church on your left, 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 4
The road bears right and past the Bothy and Walled Garden, continues downhill to the bottom of the deer park and a bridge. Along this stretch of road you will get a lovely view of the Linnet Valley.
Stage 5
Turning left at the bridge follow the grass path alongside the River Linnet to the Canal lake on your left. Here you have a different view of the Walled Garden. You might be lucky to see a buzzard or hawk in flight here. There are always an assortment of water fowl around the lake with regular summer visitors such as Canada and Egyptian Geese.
Stage 6
Continue straight along the path through a five-bar gate, enter the wood, and cross over the bridge. Taking the path to you left you will see a wrought iron gate ahead. Note that dogs are allowed in the Walled garden on short leads.
Stage 7
Go through the Gate and enter the bottom of the Walled Garden. Walk past the apple trees and past the inner wall into the Summer House enclosure. Sit and take in the view before exploring the rest garden. This is also a popular spot for a picnic. Many water fowl make this lake their home and visit during Summer.
The Walled Garden
This 5-acre plot, which was once part of the estates walled kitchen garden and was formerly the only commercial winegrowing vineyard on National Trust land. The vines have now been removed, and the land is being returned to that of a walled garden. The 1st Earl of Bristol shortly before 1717 built the kitchen garden, summerhouse and dug the Canal Lake. Ickworth over the seasons are visited by a variety of water fowl (e.g. Canada and Egyptian geese) Herons are also seen here. Dogs are allowed into the Walled Garden on short leads.
Stage 8
Leave through the Lords door (top middle door).
Stage 9
Walk up to the road and return past the Church and Parsons Pond up to the five bar gate then take the second turning on your right to West Wing.
End point
West Wing grid reference TL815061385
Trail map
A map of the Ickworth Estate Walled Garden and Canal Walk | © Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE

01284735270

ickworth@nationaltrust.org.uk

View of the path in the Albana Woods at Ickworth

Trail

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.

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Things to do

Place types

Ickworth Estate | Walled Garden and Canal Walk

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