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Oxburgh Hall Woodland Explorer Trail
Allow 1–1½ hours
DIRECTIONS
1
The trail starts at waypoint 1 (Lime Leaf) just beyond the Chapel. Look
out for numbered waypoints and carvings. At the end of the avenue of limes
bear right and you will see a massive stone made up of fused oyster shells.
It was found in the nearby River Wissey
2 Walk along the avenue of lime trees. At the
end of the avenue retrace your steps and cross the style to waypoint 2 (Mole).
You may see the tell tale mounds of soil which are the trademark of the
mole. On your right is some of the fertile farmland that surrounds Oxburgh.
3 You are in the meadow called The Oak Yard.
Follow the path through the meadow to waypoint 3 (Heron), Home Covert, in
the far right hand corner of the meadow. Here is the River Gadder which
supplies the moat with water. It is extremely clear and you can sometimes
see sticklebacks, bulheads and brown trout swimming around
4 Follow the path on through the woodland to
Miller Lay’s Bank, waypoint 4 (Wood Samples). You can glimpse the
hall if you look across the fields and you should see the snowdrops on the
bank.
FactFile
How to get there: At Oxborough, seven miles
south west of Swaffham on south side of Stoke Ferry road; three miles
from A134 at Stoke Ferry
Opening Times: Weekends 11-4 until the end
of February
Guide: Trail guide and information available
from the shop
Toilets: In the gardens and at the restaurant
Refreshments: Restaurant in the Old Kitchen
5 Keep walking to waypoint 5 (Deer) This part
of the wood was replanted around 10 years ago. Some have plastic guards
round them to protect them from mammals such as rabbits, hares, squirrels
and roe deer
6 Carry on through the woodland to waypoint 6 (Squirrel). This part of
the woodland has been planted mainly with scots pine.
7 On to waypoint 7 (Owl), turn left and follow
the path towards an old oak tree. The pines are planted in straight lines
and much closer together than the broad-leaves seen earlier on the trail
8 At the old oak tree waypoint 8 (Green Man),
retrace your steps back past waypoint 7 and follow the path. An oak tree
adds two centimetres to its girth every year. You can work out how old this
tree is if you estimate the circumference of the treat at a height of 1.5
metres above the ground.
9 At waypoint 9 (Fox) you rejoin Miller Lay’s
Bank. As you leave Home covert, turn right and follow the path through the
meadow, cross over the small wooden bridge on your right and then turn right
again. The woodland on your left was planted in 1990 and is a mix of broad-leaved
deciduous trees such as oak, ash, hazel and alder.
10
You are now in My Lady’s Wood; waypoint10 (Longbow). On your left
is a large beech tree. The large tree with a bench around is a yew. In the
middle ages the yew was highly prized for making longbows.
11 Follow the trail to waypoint 11 (Swan). Take
a breather in the summer house. When you reach the river, to the right of
the drawbridge, you can see the remains of a wooden sluice that created
a pond for the family goldfish.
12 Walk on past the platform next to the pond
to complete the walk at waypoint 12 (Pear). The orchard has been restored
and planted with fruit trees including quinces, plums, gages, medlars and
pears.
Make the most of Oxburgh
On
Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 4pm until the end of February, there’s
the chance to go on a guided tour of the fascinating Gatehouse, with rooms
including the King’s Room, occupied by Henry VII in August 1487, the
Queen’s Room with its beautiful 15th century Mortlake Tapestries and
the Priest’s Hole, used to hide Catholic recusants during years of
religious persecution.
Visitors can also venture on to the roof of Oxburgh’s Gatehouse
and enjoy the beautiful views of the Norfolk countryside.
There is the opportunity to see conservation in action as work is carried
out on artefacts and furnishings in the rooms.
There will also be carriage rides in and around the Estate and village.
Book the tour and carriage rides on the day – no advance tickets.
Tickets for the Gatehouse and garden tour: National Trust members, normal
entry; non – members, adults £5, children £2.50. For further
information contact Oxburgh Hall on: 01366 328258