Skip to content
Misty summer morning over Blickling lake, Norfolk
A misty summer morning over the lake at Blickling Estate | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns
Norfolk

Blickling lake walk

A tranquil walk around Blickling Park and lake, keeping the formal garden and Jacobean House in view. Visiting the Mount, Ha-ha, Doric Temple and Orangery, with gentle slopes, woods, open fields, frequent seats and breathtaking views, the lake walk is a walk for the 'not so energetic'. Ideal for families.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286

Step 1

From Blickling main car park, facing the visitor centre, skirt the left-hand side of the building and follow the path down to the road. Turn left and follow the road until you reach the large black and white gates. Go through the gates and look for a path on your right, waymarked in blue heading into a patch of trees.

View of house, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate, Norfolk
View of house, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate | © National Trust Images

Step 2

Now follow the path through the grass and trees until you reach the lake and turn left. When you reach a bench on the lakeside, look to the left and see if you can see the mausoleum in the distance.

Step 3

Continuing along the path to the end of the lake, go through the gate and cross the dam. You may see several anglers, and there are some seats if you fancy resting for a while. After crossing the dam you will see two gates. Take the right-hand gate and follow the lake path until reaching a small area of woodland and the Mount.

Approaching the mount, Blickling Lake Walk,, Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Approaching the mount, Blickling Lake Walk,, Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © National Trust Images

Step 4

As you come out of the woodland you will be greeted by a fantastic view of the house and gardens. To your left you will see an artificial hill known as the Mount.

Step 5

When reaching the bottom of the lake, to your right is a low red-bricked wall known as the Ha-ha.

Ha ha, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Ha ha, Blickling Lake Walk, Blickling Estate, Norfolk | © National Trust Images

Step 6

When reaching the end of this section of the ha-ha, go through the gate on your right and continue with the ha-ha (now a fence). The bank to the right is covered with daffodils in spring, and at about the halfway point you can see the back of the Doric Temple.

Step 7

Bearing right through the gate at the end of the ha-ha will bring you into Greenhouse Park. Look out for the Orangery on your right. Ahead of you through the gate, lies the church of St Andrew and former rectory.

Step 8

Carry on alongside the garden boundary and pass through the last gate of the walk. The church of St Andrew and old rectory will be seen to your left. Once through the trees and into the Home Farm courtyard, you will find the seasonal Farmyard café and the second hand bookshop.

Step 9

To return to the car park, go past the cottages, Dairy Farmhouse (a National Trust holiday let) and church on your left, and turn right in front of the house. Enjoy the view down the main drive to the magnificent Blickling Hall.

End point

Blickling main car park, grid ref: TG178286

Trail map

Map of the Blickling Estate Lake Walk route with waymarkers
Blickling Estate Lake Walk route | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

The pyramid shaped Mausoleum at Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Trail
Trail

Blickling Estate walk 

Explore the Blickling Estate's parkland on this family-friendly walk, visiting points of interest including the Tower, Brickyard and Mausoleum.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.5 (km: 7.2)
The Mausoleum Pyramid, designed by Joseph Bonomi 1796-97, on the Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Trail
Trail

Blickling mausoleum walk 

This historical scenic stroll through woods and open land at Blickling Park leads you to its striking Mausoleum. Look out for barn owls along the way.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)
A bridge over a stream at Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Trail
Trail

Blickling, Calthorpe and Great Wood walk 

Tackle this long circular walk around Blickling, taking in the villages of Calthorpe and Erpingham, the estate’s Great Wood and several historic buildings.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 7.5 (km: 12)

Get in touch

Blickling Estate, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6NF

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Family day out at the beach in winter on Norfolk Coast

Walking in Norfolk 

Discover the best walks around Norfolk, from a stroll around the estate at Blickling to a bracing trek on the Norfolk Coast Path.

Visitors enjoy food and drinks inside the Stables Café at Blickling  | Norfolk
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Blickling Estate 

Offering delicious, locally sourced and produced food, stop at one of the cafés, browse in the shop or grab a bargain in the second-hand bookshop.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

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.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

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.

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

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.

A group of about 8 people running to the left of the frame doing the trail running challenge during the South West Outdoor Festival at Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Outdoor activities 

Searching for a new outdoor activity to try? Discover the best places in our care for outdoor activities, including off-road cycle tracks, walking trails and coastlines for water sports.