The seventh annual Suffolk Walking Festival was launched this weekend. Starting the three week festival was a 3 mile walk at Ickworth House.

We arrived at 10am to find the West Wing packed with walkers, kitted out with well worn walking boots and waterproofs. My new waking boots were an obvious give-away that this was not a usual past-time for me. I do enjoy walking, but usually this is a walk around Christchurch Park, or along the front at Felixstowe. It was clear that most people in attendance were serious walkers, and so we felt a slight anxiety at the pace that would be set by others.

After a cup of tea and delicious slice of Victoria sponge cake the group gathered outside the front of Ickworth House for a group photo. The sun was shining, and the outlook looked bright … but oh, how the weather can change over 10 minutes. Whilst we waited for everyone to gather a storm cloud raced to its place right above the group and it seemed as those the moment the photographer shouted ‘say cheese!’ the rain clouds opened.

And so it was that a soggy group of walkers set off for the start of the 3 mile walk. 10 minutes into the walk and the rain had ceased. Oh, how I envied those in the waterproof trousers! However, it wasn’t long before we’d dried out, and we all begun to take in the beautiful scenery, and the landscape surrounding Ickworth House.

My earlier concerns about whether we would keep up were quickly alleviated, and we were actually surprised at how the group separated with people comfortably setting their own pace. There were a couple of catch-up points, where the group regathered, and where the guide was able to share points of interest.

The walk was a great way to start the weekend, and we certainly got to experience more of Ickworth than we had when we had visited before. We also appreciated being accompanied by the guide, again a new experience, and his detailed knowledge of the area certainly added to a great morning out.

With 25 of the events already fully booked we’ve rushed home to make sure we’ve booked our tickets so we can enjoy more of what Suffolk has to offer. To find out where the Walking Festival events are taking place in Ipswich, and for links to other events across Suffolk click here to visit our What’s On Guide and look out for the Suffolk Walking Guide logo.