CULVERTHORPE WALKS

Oasby, Grantham Lincolnshire NG32 3NB Telephone: 01529 455215

A1133

2 B12 0 B 12

Whilst great care has been taken in compiling this information into this leaflet, North Kesteven District Council cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or alterations contained within it. The inclusion of an establishment within this leaflet does not imply any official recommendations by North Kesteven District Council.

14

02

02

15

91

9

B1429

A607

1 B119

10

8

7

3 A15

6

East Heckington A17

A153

North Kesteven District Council Heart of Lincolnshire

B6 4

03

16

A52

Dominated by the limestone hills where the Kesteven Uplands meet Lincoln Cliff, Culverthorpe and its neighbouring villages nestle on their northernmost slopes. Cut by an ice age tributary of the River Trent as melt-water flowed east from the Vale of Belvoir, this prehistoric river has created a gently rolling landscape with views over the countryside.

Culverthorpe Hall dates from around 1679 and is surrounded by 3,000 acres of parkland with two lakes and rolling pastureland. Commandeered in 1940 to provide wartime billets, the house is now in private ownership and returned to its original glory.

91 B11

B11

A6

07

4

12

W1 Distance 3.3 miles/5.3kms W2 Distance 1 mile/2.6kms

A52

7 A60

For more Stepping Out walks, further information on local attractions or accommodation, please call or visit: Sleaford Tourist Information Centre, Money’s Yard, Carre Street, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7TW Telephone: 01529 414294 Email: tic@n-kesteven.gov.uk www.heartoflincs.com Download all the Stepping Out walks by visiting www.countrysidenk.co.uk www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk www.visitlincolnshire.com

16 Walk

ECS7070RT 2009

The Houblon Arms Inn

B1178

11

13

B1395

18 West Street, Osbournby, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 0DS Telephone: 01529 455631

2

B1190

B1190

2

2 19 B1

Barn Gallery B&B

178 B1

Haddington

20

A15

Aswarby, Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 8SA Telephone: 01529 455170

B1

89 B11

The Tally Ho Inn

3

34

A1

C/o Foxdale, Oasby, Grantham Lincolnshire NG32 3NA Telephone: 01529 455681

4 A1

B1 19 0

B12

Many of the paths have been provided by the goodwill of local landowners. These are marked by Highways Act signs. No special permission is needed to use these paths, but walkers are asked to help to ensure a continued welcome by only using the waymarked paths and keeping dogs on a lead. Where paths cross pasture young stock may be present. If you have a dog with you please make sure it is under firm control in these sensitive areas.

Culverthorpe Walks

58

5 A1

Honeysuckle Cottage

A1

8 18 B1

Accommodation

17

5

00

1

Introduction

Stepping Out

8 18 B1

31 Main Street, Wilsford Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 3NU Telephone: 01400 230792

Main Street, Wilsford, Grantham Lincolnshire NG32 3NS Telephone: 01400 230304

A1 5

A 15

Wilsford Post Office and Stores

The Plough

0

11 Main Street, Wilsford Grantham, Lincolnshire Telephone: 01400 231062

London Road, Silk Willoughby Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8NZ Telephone: 01529 303153

19 B1

Wilsford Organics

The Horseshoes

B1241

London Road, Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 8NY Telephone: 01529 304970

Refreshments

B1398

Four Seasons Garden Centre

Go Stepping Out!

A46

Places of interest to visit nearby

www.countrysidenk.co.uk

The neighbouring villages of Kelby, Heydour, Wilsford and Oasby stand in what was once mainly sheep farming country although agricultural improvements have long made arable farming a better proposition. These settlements once boasted populations that were more than double today’s; in 1850 Kelby, Culverthorpe and Heydour supported a variety of shops, crafts and trades, including a miller, a shoemaker and a tailor. The communities in the villages are just as vibrant and a visit is recommended to enjoy the soft limestone architecture and delightful surroundings.

Walk Facts

Walk Location

Two circular walks exploring the parkland and countryside around the historic Culverthorpe Hall

Starting Points/Parking W1 W2

Both walks start from the Stepping Out car park near to Culverthorpe Hall (Grid Ref: TF 020 399)

Public Transport

For information call the Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/busrailtravel

Walk Length

W1 W2

Parkland and Farmland 3.3 miles/5.3km and should take 2 hours at a leisurely pace Lakes and Hall 1 mile/2.6km and should take 45 minutes at a leisurely pace

Type of Walk

Footpaths and farm tracks, some of which can be muddy in wet weather W2 Parkland paths which are good underfoot.

There are stiles on these walks W1

Ordnance Survey maps

Explorer 248 and Landranger 130

1.

1

2.

2 3.

3

4 5.

5 6.

6

7.

7

Parkland and Farmland From the Stepping Out car park, follow the waymarkers towards the lake. Turn right onto a path between the lakes. Follow the road as it bends left then right up a gentle rise. Culverthorpe Hall can be glimpsed to your right.

Shortly after a stile you reach the top of the hill, follow the waymarker left so that Heydour Church can be seen on your left.

As the path reaches a T junction, turn left, towards Heydour until you reach a junction of waymarkers. The right hand path will take you on a slightly shorter route, rejoining the walk at Point 9.

To take the longer route, follow the waymarkers left, towards Heydour, keeping the hedgerow on your right.

At a stile, go straight over into parkland, again with the hedgerow on your right and views of Heydour Church ahead.

Continue until you reach a metal gate, go through this and straight on over a small wooden footbridge.

Follow the waymarker left, between high hedges and follow this path until you see a stile.

Go over the stile and bear right, keeping the hedge on your right.

As you reach the fence line, look for a stile on your right, go over this into pasture beyond so that the church is now behind you.

Follow the path as it rises gently to reach a further stile.

8

9

10

Go over the stile, across a tarmac track and follow the waymarkers over a bridge and into pasture beyond. The path continues up the field with the ancient hedgerow on your right teeming with birds and wildlife.

Go over a further bridge and into the field beyond.

Once in the field, the waymarked path you see on your right is the shorter route described in Point 3.

Continue to follow the hedgerow until you crest the hill and begin to descend in the corner of the field. Look out for a waymarker leading off right, through the thick hedge. At this point the path off to your left, over the bridge, leads to the village of Kelby and can be taken to create a longer walk.

To follow the marked circular walk, once through the hedge, follow the waymarkers along the edge of the field with the hedge now on your left. Go over a small plank bridge and continue on, now looking for a bridge on your left which marks the return path from Kelby. Shortly after the bridge you will see a waymarker leading right across the field.

L North

On a bright day, it is possible to count 10 local church spires from some vantage points, while the 385 metre tall Belmont TV transmitter (Britain’s tallest structure based in the Lincolnshire Wolds) is clearly visible 40 miles away to the northeast.

The 13 giant turbines of Bicker Fen wind farm 10 miles away across the South Forty Foot Drain can also be seen turning.

Kelby

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12

11 12 13 10 4

9 8 7

Key

W2 To A153

W1

Reproduced from OS Mapping with the permission of the controller of HMSO c Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes crown copyright and may lead to civil proceedings. OS Licence 100017926.2009

6

Heydour Car Park (during daylight hours) Culverthorpe Hall Parkland and Farmland Lakes and Hall Alternative Stepping Out Route

3 5

2 1

5 2 1

4

14

13 14

To A15

15 Culverthorpe 16 3

To A52

15 16

Follow this waymarker up the field towards a further hedgerow.

Continue to follow the waymarkers as they take you left, with parkland to your right, until you see one leading off right, across a waymarked bridge, into a small wooded area.

Turn right into the wooded area, home to snowdrops and bluebells, and go over the second bridge into a field.

The footpath now crosses diagonally over the field to the far left hand corner.

At the far side of the field, waymarkers lead straight on and right. The path straight on leads to Swarby and the road to your right leads to Culverthorpe. Turn right along the road until you reach the farm buildings of Culverthorpe. Once you reach the farm buildings, follow the waymarker right which takes you back to the parkland around Culverthorpe Hall where you will soon see a stile on your left leading to a grassy path.

Go left over the stile, descending a slight incline towards the lake.

Follow the waymarkers right along the grassy path between the railings, with Culverthorpe Lake now on your left and follow this back to your car.

1 2.2

3.3

4.4

5.5

Lakes

and

all

From the Stepping Out car park, follow the waymarkers towards the lake. Turn right onto a path between the lakes until you reach a small gate on your right.

Turn right through the gate and follow the grassy path between metal railings, with the lake to your right and parkland to your left.

As you reach the end of the lake, turn left and continue to follow the railings. As you ascend the gentle rise the hall can be glimpsed to your left.

At the end of the grassy path, climb over a stile and turn left, onto an estate road, and follow this as it passes in front of the hall giving magnificent views of the historic building.

Once past the hall, follow the road as it bends left, around farm buildings, leading you back to the car park.

The fortunes of the Houblon family, owners of Culverthorpe Hall throughout the 19th Century, were transformed when Sir John Houblon became the first governor of the bank of England in 1694. His portrait appears on the reverse of the current ÂŁ50 note first issued in 1994.