Route: Blickling
Area: North Norfolk
Date of walk: 30th January 2022
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly, Tom and Charlotte
Distance: 7.6 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Sunny
The main objective of today’s walk was to visit Blickling Hall, one of Norfolk’s most beautiful houses. The elegant Jacobean Hall was built in 1616 for Sir Henry Hobart, Lord Chief Justice to James I. It is now owned by the National Trust and is one of its most important early acquisitions
On a glorious sunny morning we parked in the National Trust car park at Buck’s Common. From the information board at the rear of the car park we followed a clear path through the wood, parallel to a path at the edge of the wood shown on the OS map. After a short distance, and as the path curved right, we followed a faint path (easily missed) to a gap in the perimeter hedge. We then joined a path beside a hedge leading to the lane by Orchard Farm. After following the lane for 150 yards we turned off to cross a boardwalk across the riverside marshes. This section, beside the picturesque River Bure, proved to be a boggy affair. It can be avoided by walking back along the lane and rejoining the main route later on. We pressed on however, and were glad to have done so as the scenery was beautiful throughout
At the end of the wetland section we followed lanes and paths towards Blickling’s Great Wood and descended to the north tip of The Lake via Weaver’s Way. We followed a path beside the lake and into courtyard of Blicking Hall, where we had refreshments at the National Trust cafe. We continued on our way, passing through the grounds of St Andrew’s Church, and then along Silvergate Lane before returning to the start via a path through Long Plantation
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk from Buck's Common, part of the 4,600 acre Blickling Estate. We follow the path ahead and at the first right hand bend we fork off left to follow a faint path out of the woods (easily missed)
We walk across Itteringham Common to a lane and turn left along it
The riverside section of the walk starts a few yards along the lane (turn back and follow the lane to its end if the meadows are too boggy - it joins up with the path eventually)
We cross a boardwalk over the meadows
One of several bridges
The River Bure - this section of the walk was quite juicy in parts but the scenery was ample compensation...
The River Bure is on our right as we walk across the meadow
Looking back
White House Farm - the path is to the left of it
We pass through the gate next to this barn
Charlotte and Tom striding out
We cross the River Bure again (at the point where it joins up with the alternative route avoiding the river section)
A short section along a quiet lane
We head for Great Wood, part of Blickling Park
We walk along the edge of Great Wood
Sixty Acre Nursery on our left
We join the Weaver's Way
We follow the Weaver's Way to the northern tip of The Lake
We walk along the lakeside path...
Blickling Hall comes into view
We pass by this attractive thatched cottage
The grand entrance to Blickling Hall
The Hall was closed so we contented ourselves with refreshments in the courtyard
We retrace our steps along the drive
We pass through the grounds of adjacent St Andrew's Church
We turn right at the church and walk along Silvergate Lane
Heading back to the start
Long Plantation
The Tower, formerly the Earl of Buckinghamshire’s race stand, now holiday accommodation
The end of a wonderful walk
