(8.05km)
30 mins
Walking
Faldingworth Walk Long
A circular walk through the Lincolnshire Limewoods area passing medieval earthworks and walking through Wickenby Wood, part of the Bardney Limewoods National Nature Reserve.
Starting point
High Street
Faldingworth
LN8 3SE
Grid reference TF 067 847
Linked to Public Transport
Dog Friendly
Linked to Public Transport
Dog FriendlyThe Lincolnshire Limewoods are the most important examples of small-leaved lime woodland remaining in Britain and as such have been designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
These woodlands date back to prehistoric times and are believed to be one of the few remaining examples of wildwood with continuous woodland cover for the last 8000 years. They provide a range of habitats for a variety of wildlife.
The village became known as Buslingthorpe in the twelfth century during the tenancy of Buselinus. Before then it was known as Esethorp. During the medieval period the village was much larger in size. Buried remains of the medieval village can be seen as lumps and bumps in the fields surrounding the present village. Part of the medieval moated site can still be seen next to the church. Take a few minutes to visit St Michael’s church which is now cared for by The Churches Conservation Trust. All of the church, except the tower, was rebuilt in 1835. It contains two fourteenth century monuments to the Buslingthorpe family.
Wickenby is one of the woods that make up the Bardney Limewoods NNR which contains the finest examples of ancient lime woodland in Britain. A variety of trees can be found in the woodland apart from small leaved lime. Look out for willow, oak, ash, silver birch and field maple. One management technique still used in the wood is coppicing. Look out for the many coppice stools of hazel, ash and lime throughout the wood. Coppicing is a traditional technique where stems are regularly cut down to ground level and harvested for poles and firewood. This means there is usually a wide age range of trees within the wood which in turn encourages a variety of wildlife.
In early spring the woodland floor is carpeted in white and yellow as the first plants come into flower. Look out for wood anemones, lesser celandines and primroses followed a few weeks later by bluebells. In the wetter areas of the wood purple loose-strife and ragged robin can be found. The wood is also home to six species of orchid.
- 1With your back to the Memorial Hall turn right.
- 2After approximately 250m leave the main road and follow Buslingthorpe Road straight ahead. Follow the road through Buslingthorpe and past the church and Manor. Continue along the road.
- 3Where the road bends sharp left walk straight ahead along a public footpath.
- 4At the top of the slope, and at a waymarker post, turn left into the field then bear right and walk towards the lone cottage.
- 5At the road turn right. Follow the road for approximately one mile (1.5 kilometres) to a junction.
- 6Turn left.
- 7After approximately 0.5 miles (400m), and opposite a grass track, turn right into Wickenby Wood. This is a working woodland owned and managed by the Forestry England. Please follow any temporary signs and keep to the main forest tracks. Follow the forest track for approximately 0.75 miles (600m), continue as it bends to the left, to a crossroads of tracks. Turn left and follow this track back to the road.
- 8Turn left along the road and follow it as it bends to the left and passes a road on the right.
- 9Approximately 150m after the junction turn right onto a public footpath. Follow the path ahead beside the ditch to a hedge and bridge. Cross the bridge and bear slightly right across the next field to the corner of the woodland and fingerpost.
- 10Bear slightly left across the field heading to the gap and fingerpost in the hedge at the top of the field.
- 11Bear slightly left across the next field to a gap in the hedge. Continue in the same direction across the next field to the right-hand corner of the sewage works compound.
- 12Cross the bridge and follow the track for approximately 50m before turning right over a small bridge. Bear left across the field to the far corner and road.
- 13Turn right and follow the roadside path into Faldingworth.
This walk uses field paths, tracks and quiet roads. There are no stiles and you are unlikely to encounter livestock.
nearby walking routes
more information
Starting point
Memorial Hall
High Street
Faldingworth
LN8 3SE
Grid reference TF 067 847
