The village of Blickling still retains its fine old Norfolk countryside charm and traditions, with splendid parks, historic, picturesque farmland, and timeless, plastered white- and pink-washed, crooked tied cottages, bounded on most flanks by ancient cast, as well as modern forested copses happy to host the River Bure. Winding as it does, the River Bure, meadowed and tree lined on both banks, gently meanders through some of the best-kept working pastured countryside in Britain. Thus Blickling qualifies for me as a unique place to lose yourself in the magic harmony and delicate balance of Norfolk country life. The National trust is doing a great job at Blickling, as it does with so many splendid historic villages and their buildings of historic interest. Thus Norfolk can rightfully be very proud of Blickling.
 Photo of Blickling Hall and Gardens
It must be said that whenever Blickling is mentioned or publicised, you could easily be forgiven for thinking ‘Blickling Hall’, perhaps in the same light as you would think Windsor Castle! This impressive Jacobean mansion was rebuilt from the ground up from the original foundations, which preceded Tudor times (Blickling was a part of Aylsham manor, once in the possession of King Harold (last true English King), and was then later owned by three generations of the Boleyn family, the last of which fell upon hard times as we know [Anne Boleyn's headless ghost is said to inhabit Blickling Hall!]. |
|
 Photo of historic houses at Blickling Hall
Blickling Hall, with its unique character and magnificent gardens and lake, just has to be top of your cultural must-visit list if you ever find yourself in this region. The Boleyn family also has roots connected with the Village of Salle only a stone's throw from Blickling, boasting one of the most impressive village churches in the whole of Norfolk, built aloof and visible for miles around like so many Norfolk Churches of its period.
Traveling west from the historic market town of Aylsham, Blickling & Blickling Hall in all its grandeur can only be seen from a minor road just 2 miles or so from Aylsham as you round a broad sweeping bend to the left. The only clue you have to the visual impact of what’s to come, is a charming metal-gated church perched proudly on the right hand side. Then without further warning the full-on view of the Hall's south face appears, and what a charming surprise it is too - clad in traditional Norfolk Red Brick, and with its imposing, ancient clipped Yew tree hedging, tall enough to walk through and bounding neatly and boldly both sides of the best kept lawns you will ever see, not only offering a grand visual spectacle from the road, but a creative masterpiece when walking toward the hall itself. |
|
The Buckinghamshire arms lies just across the path from the Hall, I believe it’s the only public house left in Blickling, but its continued refusal to install fruit machines and other such modern pub regalia keeps it high on the list of great places to drink real Norfolk ale and eat home-grown Norfolk food in surroundings that are perhaps slightly cramped in winter, but with the sort of lively local background pub conversation that makes a night out so memorable.
 Photo of Blickling Hall
Blickling is a worthy stop on your travels both for a short stop en-route, or for a longer stay, taking in its great walks, historic monuments, parks, and the Hall (I like it all, especially the pub), and all those things that come with close-to-nature, olde-worlde Norfolk life.
Text author and copyright © 2007 : Chris Crane
 Photo of the surrounding Blickling countryside
|
