Cawthorpe - Louth - Tathwell - Haugham - Cawthorpe
You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.
This walk spends a day exploring the eastern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It starts and ends in the tiny, picturesque village of Little Cawthorpe at the Royal Oak Inn (The Splash) and begins by heading north towards the market town of Louth, crossing the beautiful Kenwick Park Golf Course on the way. Apart from the beautiful golf course, there are spectacular views across the marsh to the Lincolnshire coast.
It then skirts the southern edge of Louth on quiet footpaths, with an opportunity to divert into Louth for refreshments or exploration, before turning west and then south across the fields to the village of Tathwell, with its beautiful church dedicated to St Vedast, set in a valley on the eastern edge of the wolds.
There are stark contrasts along the way as the walk crosses the Louth Bypass twice, with its frenetic traffic, then dives into the peace of the wolds.
From Tathwell it heads south through the tranquil countryside of the wolds to reach Haugham (pronounced 'haff-um') with its classic church, now unfortunately disused but still maintained and regularly open. There are stunning views into the heart of the wolds. As you climb from Chaplins Yard look left to spot seven Bronze Age barrows, known locally as Bully Hills.
From Haugham you turn east and cross the busy A16 to return to Little Cawthorpe via another quiet lane skirting Maltby Wood. It descends through the woodland where deer, buzzard, stoat, weasel and badger are common, to emerge at the top of Cawthorpe Village with its pretty, chalk, spring-fed pond and resident ducks. Watch out for the resident peacocks! Overlooking the springs is the Victorian village church of St Helen's, again sadly disused now but regularly open for visitors and with a board outside when open.
From The Springs the walk winds its way down the narrow lane that forms the main street of the village to return to the start at The Splash. A detour is detailed from Waymark 13 toward Muckton to allow a fantastic view out to sea.
The walk is dog-friendly. There are a few stiles but no fields with stock in them when the walk was surveyed. Boots are advised, gaiters as well after rain, because of the number of cultivated fields crossed.
England - East England - Lincolnshire - Lincolnshire Wolds
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Wildlife