Legbourne to Belleau - Louth Cycle Route 3
A strenuous ride on the south eastern edge of the Wolds, bordering attractive woodland near Burwell.
A
Legbourne walk
posted on 23/03/21 by Lincolnshire Wolds. Last update : 08/02/24
Description
(S/E) Start from the car park and picnic site on Louth Road, Legbourne (TF 360 847) and turn left onto the A157 towards Louth.
(1) Turn left at the first bend and continue toward Little Cawthorpe.
(2) Follow the road around a right hand bend and cycle up the hill. Keep on this road, ignore junctions, and cycle uphill out of the village. Climb to the top of Muckton Bottom and then down to Muckton.
(3) Continue uphill out of Muckton and across the crossroads at Authorpe Grange.
(4) Continue round the bends uphill to Meagram Top to enjoy the views of the coast.
(5) Take the left turn to Belleau and proceed downhill into this pretty village.
(6) Stop at St John the Baptist church and you'll see the Tudor dovecote opposite. Continue downhill out of Belleau on the lowest part of the route.
(7) Turn left at the next junction, signposted Authorpe.
(8) Continue straight on as you join the road that climbs towards Authorpe Grange.
(9) At Authorpe Grange, give way then continue across the crossroads. Continue to climb towards woodland at Catch Acre. Follow the road downhill passing a walled enclosure on the right.
(10) Take the right turn at Burwell fork and continue towards Muckton.
(11) Continue on then take the left turn to Muckton at the next junction. Continue through Muckton and then make the steep climb out of Muckton Bottom. Continue on, looking out for Fir Hill Nature Reserve on the left.
(12) Take the next right turn into Little Cawthorpe, cycling past the church and pond. Dismount to take the small bridge near The Splash, turn right and walk cycle on footpath to Legbourne, following the Long Eau. Remount at the end of the footpath and bear left on Mill Lane towards Legbourne Mill.
(13) Turn left onto the main road, at the end of MIll Lane cycle out of the village, look out for the car park on your left and the end of the route.(S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 26 m - Car park and picnic site on Louth Road, Legbourne
- 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 29 m - Sharp left turn
- 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 31 m - Little Cawthorpe
- 3 : km 6.65 - alt. 45 m - Uphill
- 4 : km 8.35 - alt. 44 m - Meagram Top
- 5 : km 9.58 - alt. 41 m - Belleau
- 6 : km 9.88 - alt. 20 m - St. John the Baptist church
- 7 : km 11.1 - alt. 13 m - Junction
- 8 : km 12.91 - alt. 18 m - Station Farm
- 9 : km 14.03 - alt. 36 m - Authorpe Grange
- 10 : km 16.49 - alt. 47 m - Dark Lane
- 11 : km 18.21 - alt. 55 m - Muckton
- 12 : km 22.08 - alt. 41 m - Little Cawthorpe
- 13 : km 23.51 - alt. 22 m - A157
- S/E : km 24.52 - alt. 26 m - Car park and picnic site on Louth Road, Legbourne
Useful Information
Cycling is a great way to keep fit and appreciate the countryside. These easy to read leaflets provide useful information on mileage, approximate timing and gradient.
A simple map and points of interest are included – for those times when you need to catch your breath, admire the countryside or explore the area.
Good cycling code :
• Always follow the Highway Code and Countryside Code
• Be safe and be seen – wear a helmet and high visibility clothing and use lights
• Keep your bike roadworthy and carry a puncture repair kit
• Be courteous to other road users
• Take plenty of water and have a drink regularly
Route starts from the car park and picnic area on Louth Road, Legbourne (TF 360 847). Please check for parking restrictions.
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 rolling chalk hills of the AONB have been inhabited since prehistoric times whilst the appearance of the countryside today has been greatly influenced by past and present agricultural practices.
The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service helps to protect and enhance the landscape through partnership projects with local landowners, farmers, parish councils, businesses and residents of the Wolds.
Places of interest/refreshments:
Legbourne Post Office and Shop
Tel: 01507 354947
The Royal Oak 'The Splash', Watery Lane, Little Cawthorpe
Tel: 01507 600750 www.royaloaksplash.co.uk
Tourist Information: Tel: 01507 601111
Email: tourism@e-lindsey.gov.uk
www.lovelincolnshirewolds.com
FB@LoveLincsWolds X@LoveLincsWolds IG LoveLincsWolds
Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead Road, Louth,
Lincolnshire, LN11 0DA 01522 555780 www.lincswolds.org.uk
aonb@lincswolds.org.uk X@LincsWoldsNL FB@LincsWoldsNL
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.
During the walk or to do/see around
Belleau
Derived from the Norman word for good water
, Belleau is a much smaller settlement now than it once was. The grassed over remains of the medieval village are to the far side of the 13th century church of St John the Baptist. The springs nearby are the beginnings of the Great Eau which flows from the Wolds, over the middle marsh all the way to the sea at Saltfleet Haven. There is an attractive dovecote in the village that dates back to Tudor times. The dovecote and a small barn nearby are all that remain of a much larger estate which included a medieval moated manor house.
Burwell Park
As you cycle towards Burwell you will pass the derelict stable blocks and walled garden of Burwell Park. At the centre of the Park stood the hall which was built in 1760 and demolished in 1958. It must have once enjoyed an imposing and grand parkland setting.
Fir Hill Quarry
A very long time ago, when sea levels were higher, the chalk ridge on the eastern edge of the Wolds formed a sea cliff, something like the white cliffs of Dover. Fir Hill Quarry lies on this ancient sea cliff. Chalk was once quarried here for building and agricultural purposes but today, in its sheltered location, it is a haven for butterflies feeding on the nectar rich flowers. In the lower grassy banks salad burnet, marjoram, wild basil, pyramidal orchid, common spotted orchid and other chalk plants can be found. The upper level is wooded and inaccessible. Please leave your bike at the gate before you explore this Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.
Little Cawthorpe
The church of St Helen in Little Cawthorpe is a very striking country church built in red brick with black brick and limestone decoration. Built in 1860, it became structurally unsound and closed in 1996 and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is well worth stopping off to explore the inside with its fine stained glass and green marble pillars.
The Long Eau and pond
A line of freshwater springs run between Little Cawthorpe in the north and Claxby in the south. The water that flows from these springs fell on the Wolds some months ago and has travelled underground through cracks in the chalk. During this time, the water has been cleaned so that it is crystal-clear, improved with minerals and cooled to a steady temperature. If you look closely at the pond near the church you can see natural spring water gently bubbling to the surface.
Legbourne Mill
Nestled in the trees to the north of Mill Lane, the green copper top of the mill can be clearly seen from the road as you cycle from Muckton Bottom to Little Cawthorpe. The mill was one of only two combined wind and water powered mills that existed in Lincolnshire, the water wheel is still visible though the windmill sails are long gone. It was built by Sanderson of Louth and converted into a private house in the 1960s. The grounds of the mill are now the site of a commercial trout farm.
