WILL’S WALK

This Fenland edge route offers superb views to the east.

Difficulty rating

THE ROUTE

I parked at the northern end of Northorpe Lane in Thurlby near the junction with Wood Lane. From here the path goes west down a driveway initially and past a few houses and small fenced off paddoc s before going through a narrow strip of woodland. After the woodland you will almost immediately see the right turn to ta e you on the path across the fields heading northwest. The path is clearly marked with some very new and sturdy wooden bridges over the irrigation dykes. Keep following the signs for about a kilometre and you will start to head uphill. Don’t forget to turn round and enjoy the view when you are near the top. On a clear day you will be able to see out to Spalding and beyond. It might only be 50 metres above sea level but that’s enough. After you have enjoyed the view you will soon come to the A6121 main road from Stamford to Bourne. Take care crossing here and you will immediately find yourself on a peaceful tree-lined country lane running down into Lound, a tiny but picturesque hamlet. When you reach the next junction go straight over and follow the increasingly remote lane until it peters out and you find yourself bac in the fields After you cross the East Glen River the path turns right and gradually curves uphill around to the left along the inside of the field boundary offering some more good views of Toft golf course to the south east. After a short while you will enter some established woodland and here you need to keep left and head south (ignoring the path to the west). You will soon emerge from the woodland to follow a field boundary hedge on your left

ACTIVE INFO The East Glen river rises near After the hedge cuts away at 90 degrees to the left keep going in a Ropsley to the north and flows south straight line for another 100 metres or through Edenham and continues so and there is a left turn in the middle through Toft underneath the Grade II of the field t’s not signposted so if you listed bridge built in the early 1800s. miss it don’t worry; just make sure you

Eventually it joins the West Glen turn left when you get to the other side

River at Wilsthorpe to form the of the field ither way you need to River Glen. make sure you are on the clearly cut and marked path heading east from here back towards Toft and past Moxon’s Hollow. The path goes downhill through three more fields before reaching the A6121 again. Turn left here and take great care crossing the hump back bridge where the road narrows. Stay on the pavement by the roadside as it heads through Toft around the right hand bend. At the end of the village on the left hand turn on the main road at the bottom of the hill turn right towards Thurlby. This quiet road goes gradually uphill with the golf course on the right and past Roundhills Lodge on the left. After one kilometre at the junction you will see the footpath heading left down the side of a commercial premises. Take this path through the bushes and you will soon come out directly above Thurlby on the top of Swallow Hill with a good view of Thurlby below. Head straight downhill and you will be back where you started in no time.

START/ FINISH

The paths around Thurlby are clear and the wooden footbridges are new.

WHERE TO PARK Anywhere safe and convenient along Northorpe Lane in Thurlby or in Northorpe.

Essential information

DISTANCE AND TIME Five and a half miles/two hours.

HIGHLIGHTS Long reaching views to the east, quiet little Lound and well-marked and clear paths around Thurlby.

LOWLIGHTS Take care crossing the hump back bridge at Toft on the A6121.

REFRESHMENTS The Six Bells at Witham and The Horseshoe in Thurlby.

DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws. It might be more than fi ve miles but there are very few stiles and it’s pretty good going under foot for the majority of the way round.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE Two crossings of the East Glen river and very little livestock make this a good option for the dogs.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.