Walking

Sleaford Walk Short

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Enjoy a walk from the market town of Sleaford into the surrounding countryside. The walk uses town and field paths and crosses farmland. For some distance the walk follows the banks of the river Slea. It may be muddy in places if wet and there are stiles and livestock. The busy A15 road is crossed twice. The walk starts from the centre of Sleaford which lies approximately 17 miles south east of Lincoln. The walk starts from the train station so why not travel to the start by train?

Starting point
Sleaford Railway Station
Station Road
Sleaford
NG34 7RG
Grid reference: TF 067 454

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The history of Sleaford can be traced back to Iron Age and Roman times. It belonged to the Bishops of Lincoln during the Middle Ages who built a castle to the west of the town. At the end of the 18th century the Slea Navigation was built to link the town to the River Witham.

Although not a large river the Slea is still a great place to see wildlife. Look out for kingfishers and herons close to the water and buzzards soaring overhead. The heron is a tall graceful bird that will stand motionless by the side of water waiting for a fish to come into range of its bill. As well as fish, herons will feed on small mammals, insects, frogs and toads.

  • 1Leave the station and cross the road. Turn left and then right along a path between two fences and signed Town Centre and site of Sleaford castle. At the end of the path turn left, signed site of Sleaford castle.
  • 2At the junction with a road turn right.
  • 3Follow the path to the right, cross the busy road with care, turn left and rejoin the path beside the river. Cross a footbridge and after approximately 250m, leave the river bank and bear right across the field to a gap in the hedge.
  • 4Follow the path to the right, cross the busy road with care, turn left and rejoin the path beside the river. Cross a footbridge and after approximately 250m, leave the river bank and bear right across the field to a gap in the hedge.
  • 5Don’t go through the gap or gate but turn round to face the way you have just come and bear diagonally left across the field heading towards the small clump of trees in the distance. At the field corner cross the drain, turn left and cross another drain before turning right and following the field edge, keeping the drain on your right, to Drove Lodge. At the lodge turn right.
  • 16At the junction with a tarmac lane turn left. Cross the A15 with care and go through the gap directly opposite. Follow the lane for approximately 0.5 miles (850m) and cross the railway bridge.
  • 17Turn right onto a public footpath. Cross the estate road and continue straight ahead along the path to the river.
  • 18Turn left and follow the riverside path to a road.
  • 19Turn right and then left onto West Banks.
  • 20At the junction with South Gate turn right. Follow the road through the town.
  • 21Just before the large Memorial statue turn right along Nags Head Passage. At the end of the row of cottages turn left along the path to return to the station.

The walk uses roadside paths, riverside paths, field paths and tracks. The busy A15 road is crossed twice. There are no stiles or livestock.

more information

Starting point

Sleaford Railway Station

Station Road

Sleaford

NG34 7RG

Grid reference: TF 067 454