This walk passes through an area that was, until just a few decades ago, one of the most industrial parts of the Wolds. Today the Nettleton Valley is a grassy, peaceful picturesque place, and from the top, there are fine views towards the River Trent and Lincoln.
Technical sheet
n°2412101
A Nettleton CP walk
posted on 13/08/19 by Lincolnshire Wolds. Last update : 08/02/24
(S/E) Start at the Ramblers car park on the road from Nettleton to Normanby le Wold, from the car park go left downhill and into Nettleton village.
(1) Turn right down the track marked as the Viking Way by 'Hazeldene' and continue past Nettleton Grange.
The Viking Way is a 147 miles long distance footpath running from the Humber to Oakham in Rutland.
(2) Turn right off the farm track, leaving the bridleway, and follow the Viking Way with Nettleton beck on your right through the valley.
Ironstone Mining - Nettleton Top It is hard to imagine how different this landscape used to look. For nearly 40 years from 1929, up to 180 people lived and worked here, mining for ironstone. There were railways, mounds of spoil, concrete and machinery throughout the area. Pit ponies worked bringing trucks full of ore out of the mines. Sadly, many workers lost their lives working in the mines. Some are buried in nearby Claxby churchyard.
(3) At the top of the valley turn right onto a bridleway that leads to the road.
(4) Turn right at the road, continue along past Nettleton Top and return to the car park (S/E).
Arguably some of the best views in Lincolnshire can be seen from Nettleton Top. Look out for Lincoln Cathedral, the Humber Bridge and the cooling towers along the River Trent. The valley is full of wildflowers. Look out for cowslips and harebells on the higher slopes and ragged robins and marsh marigolds nearer the stream.
Waypoints
S/E : km 0 - alt. 81 m - Ramblers Car Park
1 : km 0.67 - alt. 54 m - Viking Way
2 : km 1.13 - alt. 57 m
3 : km 4.27 - alt. 144 m
4 : km 4.54 - alt. 151 m - Nettleton Top
S/E : km 6.89 - alt. 81 m - Ramblers Car Park
Useful Information
Maps: OS Explorer Map 282 and 284
Parking: Ramblers Car Park Grid reference: TF110991 Nearest postcode: LN7 6TA
Terrain: This is a varied walk mainly on grassy paths, and along a quiet country lane. There are some stiles and gates, as well as a few slopes. The paths may be muddy so stout shoes or boots are recommended.
Refreshments: Cafe, Shop and Pub in Nettleton.
Stiles: There are some stiles and gates.
The Lincolnshire Wolds is a National Landscape, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1973. Covering an area of 558 square kilometres or 216 square miles, the AONB contains the highest ground in eastern England between Yorkshire and Kent, rising to over 150m along its western edge. Rolling chalk hills and areas of sandstone and clay underlie this attractive landscape.
The Lincolnshire Wolds has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the appearance of the countryside today has been greatly influenced by past and present agricultural practices.
A Countryside Service helps to protect and enhance the landscape through partnership projects with local landowners, farmers, parish councils, businesses and residents of the Wolds.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Date of walk : 01/04/23 Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very squelchy so boots are a must but this was a lovely circular which on a clear day offers rolling views and even a secluded pond side picnic spot at about the middle.
wendy123
Overall rating :
5 / 5
Date of walk : 22/10/20 Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Beautiful rolling valley along the Viking Way part of the walk felt like turning back the hands of time. Quite muddy in some places. Spotted birds of prey going up on the thermals. It didn’t feel like much of a climb to get to Nettleton Top, where the view was well worth it. Bit of a boring walk down the road back to Nettleton, but a lot quicker. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
