The Suffolk Walking Festival launches on 11th May with a jaunty walk at Ickworth House, Suffolk

SUDBURY, U.K. - April 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Press pass: Please email karina.coghlin@btinternet.com if you would like a press pass for our launch event at Ickworth House  

The weather is shaping up nicely, just in time for the jaunty launch walk of the sixth annual Suffolk Walking Festival. The first walk of the three week festival takes place at 10.30am on Saturday 11th May at  National Trust Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds and will be officially launched by Councillor  Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk County Council and broadcaster Lesley Dolphin, from BBC Radio Suffolk. Coffee and reliably good National Trust cake will be served, followed by a guided walk, 'The Launch Jaunt', through the parkland of Ickworth House, taking in the lovely views and features of this beautiful country estate. Tickets for this event are £4 and include entrance to the estate, refreshments and guided walk.

The festival, which runs from 11th May to 2nd June, is now in its sixth year and bookings are going well for the 52 guided walks around the county: "There is plenty on offer, with strolls through medieval villages, rambles in the countryside and a five day 'challenge walk' that stretches along the fabulous Suffolk coast.” says David Falk of Suffolk County Council's Discover Suffolk  project, who sponsor the festival.

Organisers have also teamed up with St Nicholas Hospice Care for the first time,  to offer a 14 mile charity walk through the lovely landscape of the Lark Valley.

Tickets and the full walks programme are available at any Suffolk Tourist Information Centre or online at www.discoversuffolk.org.uk

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Notes to Editors:

Press enquiries: Karina Coghlin: M 07847 504116 E karina.coghlin@btinternet.com

Festival Launch: Saturday 11th March, Ickworth House (National Trust), Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds. IP29 5QE. The launch will include coffee and cake at 10.30 followed by a three mile walk around the Ickworth estate, leaving at 11am.

Press pass: Please email karina.coghlin@btinternet.com if you would like a press pass for our launch event at Ickworth House.

Brochure: The Suffolk Walking Festival brochure, festival artwork and images can be downloaded here http://suffolkwalkingfestival.wordpress.com/press/

Discover Suffolk Project: The Discover Suffolk Project started in 2006 as a partnership led by Suffolk County Council. The project focuses on improving access to the countryside, promoting cycling, walking and outdoor activities.

Local Authority Partners: The local authorities supporting the Suffolk Walking Festival are: Mid Suffolk, Babergh, Forest Heath, Waveney and Suffolk Coastal District Councils and Ipswich and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils.