5 minute read
Exploring
Exploring the heart of Lincolnshire
The Heart of Lincolnshire is characterised by big skies and wide open spaces dotted with small settlements within a beautiful patchwork of natural and historical delights.
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From the comfort of a car, the saddle of a bike, the back of a horse or fully absorbed on the ground at walking pace, there is so much to see and sense. A trip around North Kesteven unveils a place of unique beauty and miles upon miles of natural beauty that can be appreciated at any time of the year.
And one of the very best ways is to immerse yourself in it, taking in the sights, sounds, smells and splendours of the area on long-distance, short distance, circular and linear waymarked paths that criss cross North Kesteven to give easy access to wideranging natural, artistic and historic places of interest.
The Spires and Steeples Trail goes from Sleaford St Denys’ Church to Lincoln Cathedral via some of the most beautiful sights and villages in North Kesteven. Every year, the Spires and Steeples Challenge sees hundreds of people walking and running the full 26-mile route.
The cliff villages of Navenby, Harmston, Coleby and Boothby Graffoe provide some stunning views out onto the ‘Lincoln Edge’, an escarpment which provides stunning views as far as the eye can see, spreading on to neighbouring counties.
Ridges & Furrows is an arts & heritage trail accompanied by cultural events and arts experiences celebrating the communities, heritage and landscape of the Lincoln Edge in North Kesteven.
The ‘When in Sleaford’ trail is a free way to explore the town whilst learning about some of its history. Maps are available from Cogglesford Mill, Navigation House and The Hub.
More detail of some of the free and easy opportunities to explore are overleaf.
Whisby Nature Park
As you would expect, green spaces feature prominently at the Heart of Lincolnshire. Presenting opportunity for adventure and exploration, chief among them is Whisby Nature Park off the A46 on the outskirts of Lincoln.
Across vast acres of reclaimed gravel pits there are tranquil lakeside walks teaming with wildlife, rare flora and rich fauna which will really reconnect you with nature and offer endless delights according to the changing seasons. The park is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and at its heart is the Natural World Centre where the Boardwalk Café, shop and award-winning Little Darters and Otter’s Reach play locations allow for adventurous activity indoors and out. Whisby Nature Park is a part of the Witham Valley Country Park which comprises a number of high quality green spaces around the Lincoln fringes; all outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy. There are sites of special scientific interest, local wildlife sites, areas rich in biodiversity and habitats supporting diverse plant, bird and insect life, all perfect for bird-watching and nature-based activities.
www.naturalworldcentre.org www.withamvalleypark.co.uk Stepping Out Walks
Helping you get to the heart of the North Kesteven countryside is a comprehensive network of Stepping Out Walks devised by the District Council to present free, year-round, easy-access, walking routes within distinct landscapes. With ancient woodlands, public art, World War II airfields and historical locations at their heart and navigating around Roman waterways, deserted Medieval villages, lost priories and spectacular churches, there are almost 20 distinct routes ranging in distance and rigour. Each walk is available through the Alltrails app, available on App Store and Google Play, and also at www.hillholtwood.co.uk , complemented by informative interpretation boards along the route – all providing easy-to-use maps, directions and fascinating points of interest. Collectively they add up to more than 140 miles of way-marked, mapped and managed walks, each with handy parking and refreshment stops identified.
Sleaford Trails
Sleaford Heritage Trail This can be picked up at any point in Sleaford and is unique in that the trail is made up of QR codes that can be scanned on phones to find out more about the local area.
Find out more at:
When in Sleaford and Sleaford Riverside Trails
The When in Sleaford trail takes its inspiration from Sleaford’s rich history. Eighteen bronze roundels make up a walking tour of Sleaford leading you to discover historic buildings, fascinating facts, visitor attractions and existing artworks in the town. The Riverside Trail will allow you to discover many points of interest about Sleaford’s historic riverside
With the easy to use map and directions and intriguing historical facts, this self-guided trail is the ideal way to experience the Sleaford of days gone by. Find out more at:
www.heartoflincs.com/ sleaford-riverside-art-trails
Ridges & Furrows
Newly instigated as a long-distance footpath, linking The Hub in Sleaford to Whisby Nature Park via the panoramic views along the Lincoln Edge, the Ridges & Furrows Arts & Heritage Trail takes you deep into the culture and countryside of North Kesteven. Explore local heritage, discover new artworks and uncover hidden stories as the 30-mile trail passes through bustling villages and along quiet byways and scenic fieldpaths. Along the way, stop off at the Terry O’Toole Theatre, Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, Knight’s Templar Preceptory at Temple Bruer, Welbourn Forge, the Waddington Village Trail and many more points of interest. And don’t forget to look out for inns, farm shops and cafes for rest and refreshment too. Find out more at:
www.ridgesandfurrowstrail.org Spires & Steeples
The longer-established Spires & Steeples Arts and Heritage Trail presents another village-to-village journey through the Heart of Lincolnshire.
From Lincoln Cathedral to St Denys’ Church in Sleaford it presents a 26-mile marathon-length walk or running opportunity to discover some of the very best artistic and historical treasures of North Kesteven, as it passes through more than a dozen villages and alongside scores of pieces of art located alongside. Free and easy to access and to step on, step off, the route provides a peaceful, traffic-free option for getting to the heart of the Heart of Lincolnshire, where history is woven into the very landscape at your own pace. www.heartoflincs.com/spires-steeples
