WALKING A ramble in four counties

A WALK WITH QSJEF

A WALK THROUGH FOUR COUNTIES

Two lovely circular walks taking in four counties! Though the start and finish of the walk are in Lincolnshire, you will also be walking in Rutland, Northamptonshire and Peterborough in Cambridgeshire...

Route: Courtesy of www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Distance: 3 or 6 miles / 4.5 or 9.5 km. Route: See map overleaf. Starting Point: Tourist Information Centre St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DL. More Information: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Leave the TIC, cross the road and turn left along St Mary’s Street. At the T-junction carry straight on and then cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and continue to walk in the same direction. Where the road bends to the right, continue straight on along Castle Street. At Sheepmarket Square turn left along Castle Dyke. At the end of the road continue straight on over the bridge and follow the surfaced path across the meadow. Just before the next bridge turn right and walk along the bank of the river. Continue across the meadows for approximately half a mile (one kilometre) to reach another footbridge (Broadeng Bridge). Cross the bridge and bear right to follow the river, now on your right. Continue alongside the river for approximately three quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometres), passing through a bridge arch under the A1, to reach a junction of paths and bridge into Tinwell village. Turn left onto the bridleway that runs along the field edge. After approximately 100m turn right along a track, with tall hedgerows on either side. Cross the railway line with great care and continue up the hill, along the track. At the top of the slope, just outside the village of Easton on the Hill and immediately before some allotments on the left, turn left along a wide track towards the church. On reaching a lane by the church, turn right.

For the shorter walk: (for the longer walk see the end of point 11) turn left almost immediately to follow a public footpath across a parking area. At the field bear left, across the field corner, following way markers denoting long distance footpaths. Bear right across the corner of the next field, aiming just to the right of three telegraph poles. Go through a gap in a hedge and continue down the hill on a track along the field edge, with Stamford ahead. Pass through a wooded area and continue ahead across a large field, aiming for the way marker post in the distance. Follow the path through an area of scrub to reach the railway line on an embankment. Cross it with care and then bear right to cross the corner of another field. Cross a footbridge and go through the tunnel under the A1. Continue ahead to reach the river.

You have now rejoined your outward route. Simply turn right and continue along the path by the river, now on your left, towards Broadeng Bridge and the Meadows. Walk back through the Meadows alongside the river to the junction with a surfaced path and bridge. Turn left, cross a bridge and continue straight ahead along Castle Dyke to Sheepmarket Square. Turn right along Castle Street and continue straight on along St Mary’s Street to return to the starting point.

For the longer walk: Continue ahead along Church Street into Easton on the Hill. At the junction with High Street, marked by a stone war memorial, turn left and continue ahead to the junction with the A43. >>

“The walk takes you along the banks of the River Welland and up onto higher ground at Easton on the Hill, where there are good views back over Stamford and to the Fens beyond. The longer walk goes through attractive woodland at Wothorpe and ends with a fine approach to the town...”

>> Turn left here and walk along the pavement for approximately 100m.

Take the bridleway to Wothorpe that goes off to the right, crossing the main road with extreme care. Walk through the woodland for approximately two thirds of a mile (one kilometre) to a junction of two bridleways. Turn left to walk around the remains of Wothorpe Towers.

At a track and junction with a public footpath turn right and follow the path into a field and follow the fence line in front of the cottage. At the end of the fence continue ahead, aiming for the right hand corner of a barn in the corner of the field. At the barn turn left and follow the path under the A1.

At the end of the tunnel turn right and walk alongside a hedge and parallel to the A1. At the corner of the field follow the path left to a stile in a field corner. Bear left across a small field to a stile and bridge.

Cross the bridge and follow the path to a road. Follow the road to a T-junction. Cross the road and take the public footpath almost opposite to a field. Cross the field towards a gate in the corner. Bear right across a small bridge and follow the path to a road.

Cross the road with care and walk along Wothorpe Road before bearing right along Church Lane. At the end of Church Lane turn right and at the T-junction turn left.

Having crossed the river, using the Town Bridge, turn right onto St Mary’s Place, still cobbled, between the Town Hall and St Mary’s Church. n

Route courtesy of www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.