Ferriby Sluice - Horkstow - Saxby Wold - South Ferriby

Sam Roebuck

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From the marina at Ferriby Sluice, this circular walk initially takes us along the banks of the New River Ancholme - nice, flat walking. A couple of kilometres later, we come to Horkstow Bridge. One of the earliest suspension bridges in the world, it was built in 1844 by the famous Victorian bridge builder, Sir John Rennie (see Southwark and Waterloo Bridges for examples of his other work), to serve brick kilns in the area. It's a great place to stop for a while and watch the waterfowl coming in to land on the river.

From Horkstow Bridge, a track takes us up to (but not into) the village of Horkstow. For fans of folk music, Horkstow was home to John 'Steeleye' Span in the early nineteenth century. Now the only real climb of the day begins, as we enter an open access area consisting of hillside meadowland and then more steeply on a muddy track in a delightful wooded clough.

At the top, it's possible to shorten the walk from 9 to 6.5 miles by following the quiet lane to the left. However, time permitting, we wander out onto Saxby and Horkstow Wolds to pick up the Viking Way. Whichever way you take, you will be rewarded with long views over the Ancholme Valley and over the Humber Estuary to the Yorkshire Wolds.

The Viking Way takes us over the top of South Ferriby Village before dropping to the banks of the mighty River Humber. Mudflats with wading birds and waterfowl aplenty will delight the ornithologists and birdwatchers and there is a strategically placed hide halfway along this stretch' look out for avocet, marsh harrier and bittern.

We follow the Humber Bank back to the start of the walk at Ferriby Sluice, where you can enjoy a well-earned pint, while watching the sailboats navigate the lock... and if you're lucky you may spot porpoise and seals, which have often been seen from here.

England - East England - Lincolnshire - Humberside