Belchford – Fulletby – Tetford Circular
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The walk starts in the centre of the small village of Belchford and heads south on a section of the Viking Way Long-Distance Footpath. This long-distance path starts on the south bank of the Humber and finishes on the banks of Rutland Water. The line of the Viking Way is clearly waymarked with the Viking helmet in black on a yellow ground. This section of the Viking Way is fairly hilly, traversing the glacial scenery of the wolds. The main drainage runs east and west and so the walking crosses small valleys and separating ridges, giving sweeping views of the wolds as you climb each ridge. It climbs steadily to the village of Fulletby, the second highest village in Lincolnshire, then heads east out of the village to crest a major ridge that runs north-south. Once through Fulletby the walk swings east onto the ridge and then drops steeply into the natural bowl with Tetford, Salmonby and Somersby (Tennyson's birthplace) surrounded by a series of hills and ridges. This landscape has been the home of man since the last Ice Age and views across it are breathtaking as you descend to the hamlet of Salmonby and its lake. From Salmonby the route takes you across country to the back of Tetford and a chance to lunch, either at one of two excellent pubs or on a peaceful picnic site next to small fishing lakes.
Finally the route leaves Tetford and follows the line of the Roman road west for about 1.5km, before striking off north-west to join the Belchford road and head back to your starting point. There is a striking isolated ruined farm above you to your right as you follow the Roman road (Platts Lane).
The route is designed as a circular one and is written from the starting point of Belchford. It can equally well be started and finished in Tetford (Waymark 13) or in Fulletby (Waymark 07), both with roadside parking. There is a Caravan Club CL site in Fulletby opposite Waymark 07 (01507-533401, Eastwood House) if you want to take your own accommodation).
The walk covers part of the routes of Walk 4244, 4584 and 628. It is perfectly possible to mix and match from these other routes to produce a customised walk that suits your particular interest or capabilities.
Wherever you park, please bear in mind that field entrances are exactly that, not parking bays; very large farm machinery travels these narrow lanes so any roadside parking needs to be well clear of the road.
The route offers a relatively dry walk, the walking being mainly on grass-covered paths with sections on lanes and farm tracks. There are no sections on footpaths that are cultivated and then reinstated (maybe!) There are sections that can become muddy after rain or prolonged damp weather, so in these conditions boots are advisable. The route is relatively dog-friendly with few stiles, mostly gates. Where the route crosses fields with seasonal stock in them, dogs must be kept on a short lead.
England - East England - Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire Wolds
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Pub, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland