dogs

Muddy Boots at Blickling Estate

Walks

Built in 1616 for Sir Henry Hobart, Blickling hall commands an impressive view over the vast estate. The beautiful rooms may not be open currently, but Muddy Boots’s Matilda recalls a recent trip to the site and the wealth of their beautiful grounds.

Blickling Estate is one of my favourite National Trust sites to visit in Norfolk. I first came here on holiday with my family as a little girl and the site’s grandeur and seemingly endless acres stuck with me even when I moved to Norfolk in 2018. I would estimate we make the pilgrimage to Blickling once a month, at least.

The grounds offer a range of walks, including a 6.4km multi-use track which is suitable for adapted wheelchair users, those with buggies, and even cyclists. (They also offer various disabled toilets across the site and specific parking spaces making sure that it is accessible to all)

Backpack ready, we decided to take to the Mausoleum route. This is a favourite to show to people who have never visited the site before, as it offers some brilliant views including the Hall reflecting in the lake. Straight out of the carpark and left, there is a short walk to some impressive white gates, these open up to a glorious site; rolling farmland littered with trees that fades into forests in the distance.

Taking the left-hand path there is a slight incline which continues up the hill, the previously mentioned multi-use trail bares off to the left and you will need to aim for the woods up ahead. At the top of the hill, left of the path and in the distance, you should be able to see the The Tower, a race stand which has been converted into a charming holiday cottage.

Turning right, away from the tower and into the woodland, you will begin the covered woodland part of the walk. This section lazily meanders through the coppiced woodland which is graced by beautiful bluebells in late April. As we exit the trees, I like to make any new visitors keep their view to the right so they can turn and see the grandeur of the mausoleum.

Built in 1793 to hold the remains of John Hobart, the 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire, the building is based on the tomb of Cestius in Rome. You can read more about the impressive building here.

From the Mausoleum follow the path straight ahead, back into the trees, this will join you back up with the multi-use track for the remainder of your journey. Head out from between the trees and get a brilliant view of the Norfolk countryside. At this point you can either continue the walk around the lake and the boundary of the Hall, or head back towards the car park.

A map created using OpenStreetMap to describe the route.
The route we took – the alternative longer route is shown with red-dashes.

We chose to walk back towards the car park as the view of the hall reflecting on the water is hard to pass on. Once back at your car there is a pub near the car park which serves lovely food but is often full.There is also the option of the two tearooms that the Hall has to offer, as well as a small outdoor area serviced by a limited menu.

The house itself is beautifully displayed, as are the ornate gardens which surround it. There is often children’s activities both around the grounds and within the property.

Parking is free for members or currently £10 per adult. The site is dog friendly, but as there is livestock managed in the parkland, they are to be kept on leads.

Have you been to Blickling Estate? What was your favourite part?

A Muddy Morning at Mousehold Heath

Walks

A drizzly morning walk for Matilda, founder of Muddy Boots Norfolk.

Now I have been to Mousehold Heath before… admittedly every time was to stuff my face with a burger from Zak’s… This morning was a little different, coffee in hand and with a hat to hide from the drizzle, I parked up in front of the Pavilion with the hopes of a walk and no clue of where to start.

The local nature reserve is completely surrounded by the bustle of Nowrich city, here at the Pavillion car park this is evident, but only a few short steps away the blanket of the forest surrounds you and you feel you could be miles away from the nearest human.

A map in the car park with information about the local wildlife

I started my walk at this sign I saw peaking out from the rain. I took a quick snap so I could find myself if I took a wrong turn and then set off with the intention of completing the blue trail which was 2km long.

As I said, as soon as you step into the cover of the trees the noise of the city dies away and you are alone in a Jurassic woodland, waiting for a Huehuecanauhtlus to run into your path. (You would be waiting a long time, the Huehuecanauhtlus was discovered in Mexico!) I followed the red mushroom trails signs as much as possible, although they were hard to make out between the drizzle and the lattice of paths that cross the heath.

I came across few other Muddy Booters whilst out, a few dog walkers and a runner or two but not many people out enjoying the world at a slow pace.

The trail curves to the left from the car park, down and up the sides of a small valley and out into a flat heath land at the top. This is the site of Vinegar pond, a byproduct of the areas quarrying and wartime activity. Over the fern-covered heathland the trail moves back into the trees and back down towards Gurney Road, the main road that bisects the heath.

Next I came across the ruins of St William’s Chapel, however, after a brilliant summer and heavy rain, there wasn’t much to see as it was overgrown. There is, however, a sign and some information about the ruins.

Attempting to stay on track and find the posts that guide the trail, I walked along the road for a short while before disappearing back into the trees. After a week of laying on the sofa, the steep inclines were a welcome shock to my body.

After what seemed like no time at all, I was back at my car so decided to continue the route to explore the other side of the heath, past HMP and out towards Ketts Hill. The site where Robert Kett camped his rebellion forces in 1549 prior to taking the city. Unfortunately, the rebellion was unsuccessful and Kett, quite grimly, found himself hanging from the exterior of Norwich Castle, which can be seen in the beautiful view from the top of the hill.

The view from Ketts Hill – Including both cathedrals and the castle

All in all it was a successful stomp. I would thoroughly recommend getting lost in the heath for a few hours, it’s great for dogs, there is lots of free parking and there are bins located throughout. I would only caution to take a good GPS enabled phone with you in case you take a wrong turn and end up out of the trees.

My Boots certainly got good and Muddy today!