Despite the rain on Saturday we had a good weekend of walks (5th – 7th) around the County. This weekend we have 13 walks/events on offer. Here are the highlights of what is coming up. 

Fri 12th Oct.

25, RAF Saltby Walk,

Start Time: 10:00-15:00, Dist 10 miles (5hrs)

The walk is through some of the most splendid countryside Lincolnshire has to offer and incorporates a disused airfield, an ancient Bronze Age track, now adopted as part of the Viking Way. It also passes the little visited village of Saltby.

Leader David Haycox 07855314734 Organisation Stamford Ramblers
Grid Ref SK 898 257 OS Explorer 247
Start Point The Green opposite the ‘Cross Swords Inn’, Main Street, Skillington NG33 5HB. Parking Turn left at the Cross Swords Inn in Skillington and there is plenty of parking on the roadside.
Terrain Grass Paths, tracks and a small amount of road walking and relatively flat.
Level Moderate Cost Donations to SLWF

Fri 12th Oct

26, The Deepings Circular Linked to 29.

Start Time: 10:00am Dist 5.5 miles (3hrs)

 A riverside stroll along the old and new River Welland between Market Deeping and West Deeping.

Leader Pete Ashmore 07808213068 Organisation Heritage Lincolnshire

Grid Ref TF139 099 OS Explorer 235

Start Point Market Square, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA

Parking Market Square and surrounding streets

Terrain Level, some roadside paths, river banks

Level Easy Cost £3.50 Linked to #29.

Fri 12th Oct

27, Stepping out into Heckington.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 6.1 miles (3hrs)

Enjoy the sites of 1000 year old Heckington Village,follow the historic Roman Car Dyke that dates from around AD125. At 76 miles it’s the largest known Romano canal in Britain. Heckington lies at the edge of the rich Fen lands, with beautiful scenery.

Leader Samantha Hagan 01636 892836 (between 8:30 & 16:30) Organisation Countryside NK

Grid Ref TF 142 439 OS Explorer 248

Start Point The village green off the High Street in Heckington, NG34 9QZ

Parking Small amount of parking at the village green

Terrain A mix of grassy banks, rough pasture and farmland which can be muddy. Small amount of road walking on quiet roads. This walk has stiles, kissing gates and steps

Level Moderate Cost Donations to SLWF.

Fri 12th Oct

28, Around Ancaster Again.

Start Time 2:00pm Dist 4 miles (2hrs)

A gentle stroll over tracks and paths in an area visited by the Romans. We wend our way to Woodland Waters then along the Valley then up steps to return via Ermine Way.

Leader David Mellor 01529 461192 Organisation Sleaford Ramblers

Grid Ref SK 984 445 OS Explorer 247

Start Point Car Park, Station Approach, Ancaster Station, NG32 3QY

Parking Ancaster Railway Station Car Park

Terrain Tracks, pathways, field paths, roads

Level Moderate Cost Donations to SLWF

Fri 12th Oct

29, BRACE yourself for a GREAT walk Linked to 26.

Start Time 2:30pm Dist 5.5 miles (3hrs)

The walk will take in the pretty villages of Braceborough and Greatford, as well as the surrounding farmland, woods and parkland. We will be on the look out for wild deer.

Leader Countryside Services Lincolnshire County Council 01522 782070

Organisation Lincolnshire County Council

Grid Ref TF 087 119 OS Explorer 234

Start Point Village Hall, Carlby Road, Greatford. PE9 4PP

Parking On street parking in village – please park responsibly

Terrain Tracks, field paths, short stretch of road walking.

Level Moderate Cost Donations to SLWF

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Sat 13th Oct

30, Lakes, Woods & Wildlife.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 7.6 miles (3.5hrs)

A moderately paced walk for a leisurely Saturday morning, along field tracks, through woods and round lakes. We end at the Boardwalk Cafe where there should be plenty of cake etc

Leader Pete Ashmore 07808213068 Organisation Lincolnshire Heritage

Grid Ref SK 912 663 OS Explorer 271 & 272

Start Point Natural World Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe On The Hill, LN6 9BW

Parking Whisby Nature Park £2 all day at time of printing

Terrain Level, field paths, farm tracks, woodland paths can be muddy

Level Moderate Cost £3.50

Sat 13th Oct

31, Heckington Fen Family Railway walk.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 6 miles (2.5 to 3hrs)

Discover Heckington home to the 8 sailed windmill which dominates the surrounding countryside. Lying at the edge of the rich fen lands the landscape changes with the growing season this walk will take it all in.

Leader Kaye Robinson 01522 553022 Mon, Tues and Thurs 8:30am-4pm

Organisation Lincolnshire County Council

Grid Ref TF 146 435 OS Explorer 248

Start Point Heckington Station, Station Yard, Heckington, NG34 9UP

Parking There is parking at the station or even better travel by train

Terrain This walk is along uneven footpaths /tracks and includes stiles, kissing gates and cattle fencing. The walk along the banks of the Heckington Eau is predominantly flat though unpredictably uneven in the long grass. There may be cattle present along the banks.

Level Easy Cost Donations to SLWF

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Sat 13th Oct

32, Springfield’s Activity Walk.

Start Time 2:00pm Dist 1 mile (1.5hrs)

Specially designed route for children following numbered tulips around the beautiful Festival Gardens. This route combines challenging educational questions as well as fun activities for children of all ages.

Leader Judy Chapman 01775 680404 Organisation The Ramblers

Grid Ref TF 263 242 OS Explorer 249

Start Point Springfield’s Festival Gardens, Camel Gate, Spalding, PE12 6ET

Parking Springfield’s main car park (charges apply)

Terrain Hard surfaced paths through formal gardens

Level Easy Cost Donations to SLWF

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Sun 14th Oct

33, The Spires & Steeples Challenge 26 (Walk or Run)

Start Time Walkers – 8:30am / Runners – 9:30am Dist 26 miles

There is a time limit of 10 hours for the 26 mile walk, 9 hours for the 26 mile run

The route follows the Spires and Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail

Leader Self Guided. For an entry form Tel: 01522 701308
or enter here
https://www.evententry.co.uk/the-spires-and-steeples-challenge

Organisation Greenwich Leisure Limited | NK Community Sport & Health Team, OneNK, Moor Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9AX

Terrain For more information on the route, please visit the official Spires and Steeples Arts & Heritage Trail Website, https://www.better.org.uk/spires-and-steeples-challenge

or you can purchase the official booklet for £1.50; contact us for purchase options. Tel: 01522 701308

Level Energetic

Cost Entry Fee: £18 in advance. Entry Deadline: Postal – Monday 8th October / Online – Wednesday 10th October
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Sun 14th Oct

34, The Spires & Steeples Challenge 13 (Walk or Run)

Start Time 11:00am Dist 13 miles

There is a time limit of 7 hours for the 13 mile run and walk.

The route follows the Spires and Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail

Leader Self-Guided. For an entry form Tel: 01522 701308
or enter here
https://www.evententry.co.uk/the-spires-and-steeples-challenge

Organisation Greenwich Leisure Limited | NK Community Sport & Health Team, OneNK, Moor Lane, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9AX

Terrain For more information on the route, please visit the official Spires and Steeples Arts & Heritage Trail Website
https://www.better.org.uk/spires-and-steeples-challenge

or you can purchase the official booklet for £1.50; contact us for purchase options. Tel: 01522 701308

Level Energetic

Cost Entry Fee: £15 in advance. Entry Deadline: Postal – Monday 8th October / Online – Wednesday 10th October

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Sun 14th Oct

35, Fulbeck Wander.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 6 miles (2hrs)

A brief walk around the village of Fulbeck then heading out across the fields towards Caythorpe. walking along the ridge taking in the views of the valley, before dropping down on the Danelaw Way, across fields heading back towards Fulbeck.

Leader Sarah Eddington 07834 121220 Organisation British Walking Federation

Grid Ref SK 948 503 OS Explorer 272

Start Point Playing Field Car Park, Fulbeck NG32 3JJ

Parking At playing fields, just off the A607, opposite the Hare & Hounds public house

Terrain Hilly, fields, tracks, footpaths, bridleways, can be muddy

Level Moderate Cost £3.50

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Sun 14th Oct

36, The Wash – Lincolnshire’s Wilderness.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 7 miles (4hrs)

An unhurried walk of seven miles using old and new sea banks, some field paths with short stretches on quiet roads to access stunning views of the Wash.

Leader John Beaven 07713652119 Organisation Ramblers

Grid Ref TF 461 294 OS Explorer 249

Start Point Village Hall, Gedney Drove End, PE12 9PN

Parking At start point

Terrain Sea banks, quiet country roads, may be muddy in places.

Level Easy Cost Donations to SLWF

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Sun 14th Oct

37, Gorse Hill.

Start Time 10:30am Dist 6.75 miles (3.25hrs)

From Creeton a mix of track and fields parallel to the East Coast Main Line to Swayfield and by Gorse Hill to Swinstead. Then back to Creeton crossing the West Glen river. Some steep slopes so a bit of a challenge.

Leader David White 07770652722 Organisation Ramblers

Grid Ref TF 011 098 OS Explorer 247 & 248

Start Point Lay by just south of Creeton (B1176) Little Bytham Road. NG33 4QB

Parking Lay by just south of Creeton. Little Bytham Road

Terrain Hilly, tracks, fields, pathways and minor roads Level Moderate Cost Donations to SLWF

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For further information on the festival please visit our Facebook Page

Or our Website

You are probably already aware that the 2018 festival is all ready to go. This year we have 61 events, some of those repeated so you don’t miss out, bringing you 66 events in total.

We are pleased to announce that the launch is at Harlaxton Manor near Grantham, with easy access from the A1/A607.  Harlaxton Manor is not generally open to the public so we are very excited about this not-to-be-missed opportunity.

Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day.

There will be plenty to do for all the family, with house tours, garden tours, family garden trail and self-led walks in the woods.

For history buffs there will be two Millitary History tours covering both World Wars from the trenches of WW1 to operation Market Garden in WW2.

Heritage Lincolnshire will explain how they are tackling the subject of Heritage At Risk on a short tour of the Manor grounds.

For those looking for something more challenging, we haven’t forgotten you. We have a 10-11 mile ramble going out of the grounds, along the Viking Way to the Dirty Duck Pub on the banks of the Grantham Canal where refreshments can be purchased prior to returning to Harlaxton Village and Manor via the Canal.

There is also a shorter walk of 5 miles in the afternoon, leaving the morning free for the house and garden tours.

Please do join us, all events are free except the House Tours which cost only £2 per person. All we ask is for a donation towards the running costs of the festival.