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Gunby's ice house pond
Have a peaceful wander around Gunby's ice house pond on this walk | © National Trust/David Dales
Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire

Gunby ice house pond walk

Gunby Hall & Gardens was the home of the Massingberd family. Explore the wider estate with a visit to our recently renovated ice house pond on the banks of which, according to legend, Emily Langton-Massingberd assembled her tenantry and, from the vantage point of a rowing boat, lectured them on the evils of drink. On your way back look out for the remains of the former Gunby village, which was once a thriving settlement with 15 households in 1563, but had disappeared by the time the Hall was built in 1700.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

Gunby Hall and Gardens

Step 1

Enter the gardens through the ornamental gates at the front of the house. Go left past the house and follow the garden path towards the church.

Step 2

Leave the gardens and go through the gate on your left before the church.

Bluebells in spring near Gunby's St Peter's Church, Lincolnshire
Bluebells in spring near Gunby's St Peter's Church, Lincolnshire | © National Trust/David Dales

Step 3

Go past the church and bear right following the fenceline of the gardens. From time to time, the field will be home to our tenant farmer's herd of Lincoln Red cattle, in case you have a dog. Look to your left and you will see the remains of the deserted medieval village.

Remains of the deserted medieval village 'Gunnebi' in Lincolnshire
Remains of the deserted medieval village 'Gunnebi', Lincolnshire | © National Trust

Step 4

When you reach the fence which divides the fields, turn left and head towards the clump of trees.

Step 5

Go through the gate and you have arrived at the ice house pond.

Step 6

Walk around the pond and either enter the field through the gate or just before, divert to the left and into the woodland to see the fairy house. Then retrace your steps and enter the field through the gate.

Step 7

Retrace your steps to St Peter's church and pass through the wrought iron kissing gate, and return to the gardens or courtyard for a hot drink.

End point

Gunby Hall and Gardens

Trail map

Map route for Gunby ice house pond walk
Map for Gunby ice house pond walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Get in touch

Gunby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5SS

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