PEOPLE seeking the great outdoors made a bee-line to historic Ickworth House, near Bury St Edmunds, today, for the launch of the sixth annual Suffolk Walking Festival.

The first walk of the three-week festival took place this morning officially launched by Mark Bee, leader of Suffolk County Council, and broadcaster Lesley Dolphin, from BBC Radio Suffolk.

The launch jaunt, was a route through the parkland of the grounds of Ickworth House, taking in the views and features of the beautiful country estate and was carried out by up to 100 people.

Before they set off Mr Bee said: “This is the biggest and best walking festival to date and is celebrating some of the greatest assets of Suffolk with more places then ever before.

“It is also helping to promote the health and well being of the county and making the countryside accessible.”

The festival, which runs from today until June 2, is now in its sixth year and bookings are going well for the 52 guided walks around the county which feature a host of routes stretching right across the county taking in the delights of the coasts, heaths, town and villages of Suffolk.

Some of the longest stretches are from Felixstowe to Hollesley, Sizewell to Southwold and Southwold to Lowestoft, but there are shorter routes of just a few miles including the historic streets of Bury St Edmunds, a Dickens stroll in Ipswich, and a short tour of Pin Mill.

“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 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