Take a choice of 3.5 or 5.5 mile walks with Norfolk Ramblers around Blickling
1 From the car park follow the path at the end of the building with the Muddy Boots café and reception. Turn right, passing the pub, then take the path towards the church. This takes you past the main gates to the hall; turn left, then right, passing the courtyard. Turning right follow the waymarked path which will take you to a gate from where you can see the start of the formal gardens on your left; follow this path round to the lake which was dug in 1711. Its serpentine shape is meant to impress – whichever end you stand at the other end can’t be seen. When you get to the gate before the lake you have the choice of continuing or taking the gate to the right, up below the water tower; both will bring you out at the end of the lake.
2 At the end of the lake follow the Weavers’ Way for a short distance; when the Weavers’ Way turns left, you carry on through the small wood to a field edge path. Follow the path straight ahead and you will come to the mausoleum on your right. Built in 1793 after the death of the second earl, it is worth walking around the back to see the memorial stone topped by a magnificent bull, the emblem of the Hobart family. Then carry on the path to a T-junction.
3 If you are doing the short walk turn left, follow the track to No 4 where you re-join the main walk. For the main walk turn right and follow the track down to Great Wood car park. Take the path to the left through Bunkers hill Plantation, follow the path up to Bucks Common car park and follow the path through the woods; passing the tower on your left follow the path through Long Plantation. At the end of the woods turn right then left before the road; follow this path, turning left at the woods. This will bring to a 3-way junction.
4 Turn right, passing through the park gates. Following track this will bring you back to the start.
Blickling Hall
Originally owned by Sir John Falstolf of Caister (who also built Caister Castle) from 1380-1459, it then changed hands to the Boleyn family, there most famous daughter being Ann Boleyn one of the wives of Henry VIII. It's believed that she was born here, but there are no official documents to back this up. Legend has it that there are three ghosts who patrol the house and gardens here at Blickling, one being Anne Boleyn.
The present house was designed in 1616 and was actually built on the ruins of the original site.
During the Second World War it was used as the officers’ mess for nearby RAF Oulton and eventually passed into the hands of the National Trust, where it remains today. There is a museum for RAF Oulton above the gift shop.
The mausoleum is a strange, rather austere monument which houses the remains of the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire and his two wives. Built of grey stone, it stands alone in the middle of woodland, surrounded by a metal grille, and has a rather eerie feel to it. It is open at times and worth going inside.
Eat here
Muddy Boots café
Blickling is well-served for refreshment; there is the Muddy Boots Café, which welcomes dogs, near the car park and toilets and a restaurant beside the reception at the hall.
Buckinghamshire Arms
If you want more than a coffee and a snack, then the Buckinghamshire Arms, a 17th century coaching inn adjacent to Blickling Hall gates, is a popular gastropub with an extensive menu.
A Winter walk in the grounds of Blickling park
Main walk 5.5 miles, 8.5km
Short walk 3.5 miles 5.24km
Start at Blickling main car park - pay and display if not a NT member
Grid reference TG1762 2864
Nearest postcode NR11 6NT
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