Viking Way

50 things to look out for

Things to look out for

Tick off the landmarks and points of interest you spot along this route as you go.

Humber Bridge

Humber Bridge

The Humber Bridge is a Grade 1 listed landmark and is the longest bridge allowing passengers to cross by foot or bicycle.

Far Ings Nature Reserve

Far Ings Nature Reserve

This diverse landscape is constructed of reed-beds, meadow, scrub, freshwater and saltwater environments, providing rich microscopic life and habitats for invertebrates. These conditions support perch, roach, herons and kingfishers and many more, making Far Ings the perfect location for birdwathcing.
Bigby monument 

Bigby monument 

Erected in 1790 by Edward and Ann Weston of Somerby Hall to commemorate 29 years together.

Caistor – Roman Wall 

Caistor – Roman Wall 

Look out for a section of wall by the churchyard. The wall dates to the 4th century and would have surrounded the Roman settlement here that developed from a hill fort.
Lincolnshire Wolds

Lincolnshire Wolds

Find perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors, active adventurers and heritage enthusiasts in the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Nettleton Valley & mining

Nettleton Valley & mining

Ironstone was mined in the valley between 1928 and 1968. The once industrial landscape is now green and beautiful. The bricked-up tunnels of old mines can still be seen today
Normanby Top

Normanby Top

This is the highest point in the Lincolnshire Wolds at 168m. Nearby is the ‘Golf Ball’, the National Air Traffic Control Radar Installation.

Walesby – Ramblers church

Walesby – Ramblers church

Also known as All Saints, the church stands above the village of Walesby. It fell into disrepair and a new church was built in the village in 1881. It was renovated during the 1930s and became known as the Ramblers Church. In 1951 a beautiful stained glass window depicting walkers and cyclists was donated by the Ramblers.
Vikings at Tealby 

Vikings at Tealby 

The Viking army settled in Lincolnshire in the late 9th Century. Some Old Danish names still survive such as "thorp" a secondary settlement, "beck" from "bekkr" meaning a stream and "smooting" a narrow passage between houses. The influence of the Vikings can be seen in village names across Lincolnshire. Many villages have names that end in -by and -thorpe.
Biscathorpe deserted medieval village (DMV) 

Biscathorpe deserted medieval village (DMV) 

Biscathorpe is first documented in the Domesday Book in 1086. The Viking Way crosses the surviving earthworks of the medieval village as it drops down towards St Helens church. There are more than 130 DMVs across Lincolnshire. They probably disappeared for a number of reasons including climate change, the black death and landowners taking back land to increase income through sheep farming.
River Bain – chalk stream 

River Bain – chalk stream 

Chalk streams are a special type of lowland river characterised by clear wildlife rich water . The steams emerge from chalk aquifers, so the pure water is rich in minerals and remains at a fairly constant temperature year-round. Chalk streams are a rare habitat with majority of the world’s chalk streams found in England.
Belmont mast

Belmont mast

Construction started in 1964 and came into service at the end of 1965. Originally 387.7m tall it was shortened to 351.7m in 2010 due to the digital switchover. Ravens nest on one of the mast platforms from late February to early April. They are in the area all year so listen out for the characteristic cronk, cronk call.
Goulceby – water voles 

Goulceby – water voles 

A you walk beside the stream keep your eyes open for water voles or signs they’ve been there. A protected species, they live in streams, rivers and ditches and you may spot their burrows in the banks. They have chestnut-brown fur, a rounded nose, small ears, and furry tail. The most famous water vole is Ratty in Wind in the Willows.
Juicetrump Hill 

Juicetrump Hill 

Henry ran the village grocery store as well as being a Sunday School Teacher, Churchwarden, Parish Constable, Overseer of the Poor and Temperance advocate. He was an acclaimed historian and wrote many poems and essays about everyday life. There is an information board about his life and works in the church.
Fulletby – Henry Winn (1816-1914) 

Fulletby – Henry Winn (1816-1914) 

Henry ran the village grocery store as well as being a Sunday School Teacher, Churchwarden, Parish Constable, Overseer of the Poor and Temperance advocate. He was an acclaimed historian and wrote many poems and essays about everyday life. There is an information board about his life and works in the church.
Horncastle—Joseph Banks (1743—1820) 

Horncastle—Joseph Banks (1743—1820) 

He was a botanist and explorer. At 21 he inherited Revesby Abbey estate and became one of England's wealthiest men. He joined James Cook on HMS Endeavour which set out to explore and chart the South Pacific. Approximately 110 new genera and 1,300 new species were named from the specimens he collected in his lifetime. Some 75 different species bear his name, as do a group of islands near Vanuatu in the South Pacific, and a peninsula in New Zealand.
Horncastle canal 

Horncastle canal 

The canal opened in 1802 and connected Horncastle with the River Witham, a total of 11 miles. After initial success the canal had to compete with the railways from the 1850s with the last boat arriving in Horncastle in 1878. Most of the line of the canal can still be seen today.
Spa Trail sculptures 

Spa Trail sculptures 

The Spa Trail is a multi-user route between Horncastle and Woodhall Spa and follow the line of the old railway line. Along its length there are a variety of sculptures. Look out for a Viking ship and wildlife.
Woodhall Spa Hotchkin Course

Woodhall Spa Hotchkin Course

Discover the Home of England Golf. Enjoy two championship golf courses with the Hotchkin voted the 20th best course in the world.
Woodhall Spa – Dambusters Memorial 

Woodhall Spa – Dambusters Memorial 

Located in Royal Square on the site of the former Royal Hydro Hotel and Winter Gardens. The memorial honours 204 aircrew from RAF 617 Squadron, known as the “Dambusters”.
Water Rail Way Cycle Route

Water Rail Way Cycle Route

Discover this purpose built trail linking Lincoln to Boston with a mostly traffic free, off-road cycle route. Enjoy this scenic route, spot commissioned artworks making reference to Lincolnshire with some inspired by the poetry of Lincoln’s Alfred Tennyson.
Southrey—St John the Divine church

Southrey—St John the Divine church

Looking like a New England the timber church it was built in 1898 by villagers as a temporary structure. Stones form Bardney Abbey were used in the foundations. It has since been covered in PVC to protect it.
Lincolnshire Limewoods

Lincolnshire Limewoods

Bardney Limewoods National Nature Reserve contains Britain’s largest concentration of woodland dominated by small-leaved lime.
Barlings Abbey 

Barlings Abbey 

Look out for these birds soaring and wheeling across the sky. They are easily recognised by their forked tail and rusty red colouring. They are scavengers and are often seen feeding on road kill.
Fiskerton – river finds 

Fiskerton – river finds 

In 1981 Iron Age weaponry and timber stakes were excavated. The site was once a timber causeway, used during the Iron Age to deposit valuable objects into the river as religious offerings. In 2001 further excavations recovered two wooden logboats. One was deliberately sunk as an offering and may have been specially made for this purpose.
Lincoln Cathedral

Lincoln Cathedral

A spectacular and globally iconic landmark and must see tourist attraction. Standing tall over the city of Lincoln for hundreds of years.
Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle

This world class attraction was originally built by William the Conquerer. Visit for Medieval Walk Walk, Victorian Prison, Magna Carta Vault and much more.
Steep Hill and The Strait

Steep Hill and The Strait

Discover the beautiful cobbled streets and some of the oldest buildings in the city located on The Strait and Steep Hill. Shop at a variety of unique independents including specialist food and drink stores, cafés and vintage clothing shops.
Lincoln – South Common

Lincoln – South Common

One of three Lincoln commons South Common covers 70 hectares. It contains remains of past activity going back to the Roman period. From the 1840s, the common became popular as a park for promenades, and was landscaped with new ponds. It was used for rifle practice by the Lincolnshire Volunteers, and later for practising trench warfare for First World War recruits. The prototype tank was tested here in 1916.
RAF Waddington

RAF Waddington

A busy RAF station it is also home the Red Arrows. It is the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and the main operating base for airborne intelligence aircraft and systems.
RAF Wellingore 

RAF Wellingore 

Established during the First World War and known as Wellingore Heath. Between the two world wars it was used as a landing ground by aircraft from RAF Cranwell. Between 1939-40 the airfield was expanded and a number of pillboxes built. After the Second World War the airfield was used to accommodate German prisoners of war before it reverted back to agriculture.
Cliff villages 

Cliff villages 

The villages (Waddington, Harmston, Coleby, Boothby Graffoe, Navenby, Wellingore) sit on the Lincoln Edge, a limestone escarpment that runs north-south through the county. There are fantastic views westwards over the Trent and Belvoir Vales.

Ermine Street 

Ermine Street 

A major Roman Road running between York, Lincoln and London. The section between Colsterworth, through Ancaster, to Bracebridge Heath is also known as High Dike or High Dyke
Cranwell 

Cranwell 

RAF Cranwell was the world’s first Air Academy and today selects and train the next generation of RAF officers. Additionally, it is home to RAF Recruitment, RAF Air Cadets, Flying Training Schools, Central Flying School, Air Warfare School, and the Band of the RAF College.
Byards Leap roadside nature reserve 

Byards Leap roadside nature reserve 

This is one of many county verges that are classified as roadside nature reserves (RNR). They form the largest remaining tract of semi-natural vegetation in the county. They are home to a variety of wildflowers and other wildlife. They cover over 80km (50 miles) and are managed by the County Council and Wildlife Trust.
Red Kite

Red Kite

Look out for these birds soaring and wheeling across the sky. They are easily recognised by their forked tail and rusty red colouring. They are scavengers and are often seen feeding on road kill.
Carlton Scroop memorial 

Carlton Scroop memorial 

Located at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club, the memorial commemorate decorated American combat veterans killed in a mid-air collision on the 18 December 1944. The plane was on a training flight over Carlton Scroop. Seven man died, three survived.
Marston – East Coast Mainline 

Marston – East Coast Mainline 

This electrified line is 393-mile long (632 km) and runs between Edinburgh and London King's Cross. The line was built during the 1840s by three railway companies, the North British Railway, the North Eastern Railway, and the Great Northern Railway.
Sewstern Lane 

Sewstern Lane 

An ancient route also known as The Drift which in places forms the border between Lincolnshire and Leicestershire. The development of the Great North Road and turnpikes reduced its importance, but the route was then used by cattle drovers, taking their herds down to the London market.

Westborough – River Witham 

Westborough – River Witham 

The river rises near South Witham and flows through the county, passing through Grantham, Lincoln and Boston before entering The Wash. It is navigable be-tween Lincoln to Boston.
Long Benington – A1 

Long Benington – A1 

Also known as the Great North Road, it is the longest numbered road in the UK, at 410 miles (660 km). It connects London with Edinburgh. Its importance was recognised when it became Britain’s first numbered road in 1921

Grantham Canal

Grantham Canal

The 33 miles of the canal links Grantham to Nottingham and the River Trent. The canal opened in 1797 and was at its height of popularity in 1841. The last working boat on the canal was in 1929 and the canal officially closed in 1936. Today short sections are navigable while other sections are overgrown and dry.
Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle

Belvoir Castle is one of the UK’s finest Regency castles. The ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland with an unbroken line for almost a thousand years. Enjoy exploring this fine Regency castle and relaxing with delicious afternoon tea.
The Drift Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 

The Drift Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 

A section of The Drift between the A607 and Saltby airfield forms part of a SSSI. It is one of the best remaining examples of limestone grassland in Lincolnshire. This rare habitat is rich in a range of plants and insects and is a riot of colour in the summer.
Saltby airfield 

Saltby airfield 

Opened as a military airfield in 1941 with grass runways. In 1944 three concrete run-ways were built and the base used by the USA Troop Carrier Group. Military used ended in 1955 and it is now used by Buckminster Gliding Club.
Sewston village

Sewston village

Sewstern is the most eastern village in Leicestershire. Sewstern Lane bisects the village north-south and is an ancient route. May of the houses and cottages are built of limestone.
Greetham village

Greetham village

Greetham, meaning ‘village on stone’ is a long village that stands on both sides of North Brook, a stream that meanders through the village. Its older buildings are constructed from fine locally quarried limestone with Collyweston stone or thatched roofs.
Exton

Exton

Exton is one of the most beautiful villages in Rutland with an English village green standing at its heart. Around The Green is a scattering of traditional stone cottages many of them over 300 years old and the Fox and Hounds public house. The church is one of Simon Jenkin's 1000 Best Churches and with notable monuments by Nollekens and Grinling Gibbons,
Rutland Water 

Rutland Water 

The Viking Way follows the northern edge of this man-made reservoir. It goes through Whitwell and then through the woodland at Barnsdale with bird hides, and a variety of flora and fauna. It is a great place to watch wildlife including the magnificent osprey, between March and September. These birds of prey feed on fish. They dive towards the water, stretch out their talons and scoop them up.
Oakham

Oakham

The county town of Rutland. The only part of the Norman castle to survive is the great hall dating back to the late 12th Century.