Ramble to Rigsby

(S/E) Start at the Alford Manor House in West Street. Built in 1611, it is reputedly the largest thatched Manor House in England; an H shaped building with an unusual brick & timber construction. Facing the house turn right, then left into Park Lane.

(1) Walk to the end of Park Lane, through the gate and into the field, then bear left. Cross the field and go through a gate in the hedge. Walk across the field, ignoring the waymarked stile to your right, go over the bridge over the Wold Grift Drain.

(2) Immediately after the bridge, go through a gate on your right, and walk diagonally across the field toward a gate. At the gate, bear left, and keep the field edge on your left heading towards a gate. Continue with the hedge on your left until you reach a roadway. Turn right and continue on Tothby Manor drive.

(3) Walk towards Tothby Manor. In front of the house go over the stile and walk diagonally to the left of the house, following the yellow markers. Go over another stile and through the field at the side of the Manor and then over another stile to exit the field.

In 1640s Tothby Manor (to the north of Alford) was the site of a Plague Stone. Originally the stone was on Miles Cross Hill (the road to Spilsby). Here in times of plague, villagers would leave produce and townsfolk would pay by leaving money in a trough cut in the stone, full of vinegar that would purify the money.

(4) Cross over the bridge and turn left facing a field. At this point, you will see the remains of the Manor’s moat. Walk left before crossing the field diagonally to the right, turn left at the footpath marker and follow the edge of the field with the hedge on your right. At the second gap in the hedge line go through and follow the field edge footpath towards the garden centre.

(5) Cross the road and take the footpath. The garden centre is on you right hand side. The path takes you up hill with woodland on your left, eventually emerging into an open field.

The local woods are found on the heavy ground or clay beds. Ash trees are the most common and the woods often show evidence of woodland management i.e. pollarding. In late spring bluebells (and occasionally wild orchids) can be found in the woods and buzzards are often seen quartering the hill sides.

(6) At the top of the path turn left onto the road and walk into the village of Rigsby.

There are fine views of the Wolds from Ailby Wood. From the ridge road and Rigsby Church there are views of Alford and the coast.

(7) Take the footpath through the gate on the left immediately after Rigsby Wold Cottage. Then cross a stile (with Rigsby Church to your right) and head downhill bearing left to a waymarked gate. Walk ahead through the middle of a grass field and bear right at a signpost to a stile and bridge.

(8) Cross the bridge and follow the path alongside hedges over three bridges to the road. Turn left at the main road to head back into Alford and your starting point.(S/E)