Stately Strolling

Take a farmland walk in the environs of Barrington Court, with SIMONE STANBROOK-BYRNE

- SIMONE STANBROOK-BYRNE

A former stately home, the beautiful mellow-coloured Tudor mansion that is Barrington Court was once occupied by the Lyle family (of Tate & Lyle fame). In the custodianship of the National Trust, in recent years it has been used as one of the locations for the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.

This walk explores the countryside around the mansion and follows public paths across the estate. It offers enticing glimpses which may tempt you to investigate more; the paths used for this walk do not incur a cost but if you decide to venture deeper into the grounds or house, there is a charge for nonmembers. (nationaltrust.org.uk/barringtoncourt).

Note: If you are a National Trust member, please show your card at Visitor Reception – it enables them to claim from central funds.

WALK

1 At the time of writing Barrington Court was in the process of relocating its car park, so the easiest starting point is where the drive to Barrington Court leaves the road at the east end of Barrington Village. Follow the drive as it bends about and as it makes its final sharp left turn, heading towards Visitor Reception, look for the metal footpath gate ahead, at the bend, beside a bigger gate, giving pedestrian access into the cricket pitch. Go through, and walk through the cricket field with a ditch and orchard to the left; the mansion’s chimneys are visible and you are heading for trees 80m away.

At the trees look for the tuckedaway path, next to a wooden bench, that ducks beneath the trees and leads to a metal kissing gate in about 30m. Go through and continue ahead through treestudded parkland: a gorgeous view of the mansion is to your left.