In the run-up to our deadline for walk registrations (Monday 23rd February, phew you’ve still got a whole weekend to submit a walk!) I ventured out to recce a walk from Fulbeck, in between Cranwell and Grantham.

The walk starts at the Hare and Hounds pub and descends gently past the church towards Fulbeck low fields. The name Fulbeck is derived from Old English ‘Ful’ and Scandinavian ‘bekkr’ meaning ‘foul stream’.

The route follows a lane and field track for a couple of miles in the direction of Fulbeck’s disused airfield that was involved in the D Day operations and Operation Market Garden (that was planned at Fulbeck Hall). All of a sudden you turn back towards the Lincolnshire Cliff, the limestone ridge that runs down the west side of the county and an unexpected climb lies ahead. During the planning of the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival I’ve been telling people that the county isn’t all flat and this climb proved it! I stopped to take the photo above and catch my breath while looking across the Trent Valley.

After skirting a small wood I was surprised to see another climb ahead, this time to the top of the ridge.

The view from the ridge was fantastic! I could see all the way to Lincoln Cathedral to the north, along with even steeper sections of the cliff around Navenby and Wellingore.

While making my way along the ridge I came across an old, weathered walking boot nestled in a tree. It looked like it had been there a very long time and I wondered how its owner had walked home with only one boot!

On reaching the outskirts of Fulbeck village I was almost fooled into thinking I was in a Yorkshire coastal village, with steep, winding lanes and old stone cottages with bulging stone walls. Another surprise! All in all the walk was about 5 miles long and filled with surprises around every bend. Well worth a visit to Fulbeck!

Don’t forget, if you’re thinking of leading a walk we need your form by Monday evening (23rd February). If you’re having problems drop an email to slwf@lincsheritage.org and we’ll do our best to help!

#slwf