In the Footsteps of Kolkr - Red Hill

(S/E) On leaving the Three Horse Shoes car park head across the bridge and turn first right onto the Viking Way. Keeping the stream on your right hand side continue along Butt Lane, turn right into Shop Lane and continue to the public footpath heading straight on at the end of Shop Lane.

(1) Continue on the Viking Way, still keeping the stream on your right hand side Cross the tarmac drive and continue until you reach Asterby Lane. If time permits take the opportunity to turn right and climb the steps to a reservoir which abounds with birdlife.

(2) Turn left and follow Asterby Lane towards St Peter's Church, Asterby. Extra care should be taken at this point as there is a blind bend and the road is narrow. Continue for about half a mile until you reach the Top Lane road junction and turn right onto the marked footpath towards Red Hill. Continue on this footpath until you reach the Red Hill Nature Reserve and SSSI Meadow.

Red Hill Nature Reserve - Named after it's outcrop of rare red chalk, the site is considered one of the best chalk downland meadows in Lincolnshire. In June 2013, the reserve was named one of the UK's 60 Coronation Meadows marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation. The reerve is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and dogs are not allowed.

(3) From the Nature Reserve follow the road down towards Goulceby until you reach the road junction at the bottom of the hill. Cross over the road, through a gate into Manor Farm yard.

(4) Follow the waymarkers through the yard and along the farm track, then after the gate follow the mature hedge. Continue on the track, through two kissing gates and passing a third until you reach a fourth gate which leads to an old graveyard, the site of the first Goulceby church. At the exit from the graveyard, turn left, joining the Viking Way and continue down this track until you meet the main road.

The Old Graveyard - This is known locally as the 'Viking' graveyard as it is considered to be the site of the first Goulceby settlement.

(5) Turn left if you wish to visit All Saints Church or cross the road and follow the footpath through the old village pinfold until you reach a kissing gate. Cross into the field and follow the left forking path until you reach the road.

(6) Turn right, passing over the bridge and return to the Three Horse Shoes car park.(S/E)

Maps: OS Explorer 273 and 282

Parking: Parking in the car park of the Three Horse Shoes Public House (by kind permission of the landlord)
OS Grid Ref: TF 253, Postcode: LN11 9WA

Refreshments: Refreshments and groceries are available at the Three Horseshoes Public House.

Terrain: Some verge walking, good footpaths and bridleways but these can be muddy at times. Mainly level walking however the route includes one steep incline.

Stiles: A few. Some are stock proof and therefore may be difficult for dogs.

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.

Office Address :
Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service
Navigation Warehouse
Riverhead Road
Louth
Lincs LN11 0DA

Phone: 01522 555780 X @LincsWoldsNL FB @LincsWoldsNL

Website: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk