(9.66km)
Walking
Tattershall & Coningsby Walk Long
Tattershall,Coningsby
This walk takes you past a castle, alongside a river, past a nature reserve and through two woodlands. A great opportunity to spot both river and woodland wildlife. It uses field paths, river banks, roadside paths and woodland paths that are likely to be muddy.
Starting Point
Market Place
Tattershall
LN4 4LQ
Grid reference: TF 212 579
Parking
Linked to Public Transport
Refreshments
Dog Friendly
Tattershall village lies between the Fens and the Wolds and is dominated by the 130ft red brick tower of the medieval Tattershall Castle and the impressive parish church which stands close by. Tatttershall Castle was built in the 1440s by Lord Cromwell. An earlier stone castle existed on the site and carved stone remnants have been found in local houses. The red brick tower is a masterpiece of early English brickwork and is one of the most important fifteenth century brick keeps in the country. It is now owned by the National Trust.
Both Tattershall Thorpe Carr and Tattershall Carr are owned and managed by the Woodland Trust. Both woodlands are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and are ancient woodlands. During the Second World War the woods were used as part of RAF Woodhall Spa. Remains of some of the structures built at the time can still be seen today and part of the base forms the Thorpe Camp. There are a variety of tree species within the woodlands including alder, ash, sycamore, birch, oak, rowan, holly and hazel. Look and listen for the great spotted woodpecker and green woodpecker.
- 1Leave the Market Place and turn right towards the church and castle.
- 2After approximately 140 metres turn left onto a public footpath and follow it straight ahead beside the remains of the Horncastle Canal to a bridge over the River Bain at Tattershall sluice.
- 3Cross the river and turn right. Follow the river bank for approximately 150 metres before turning left and following a footpath, between two fishing lakes, to a road in Coningsby.
- 4Turn left and at the roundabout continue ahead along Silver Street into the centre of Coningsby.
- 5At the junction with the High Street turn right. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and continue in the same direction.
- 6After approximately 800 metres (0.5 miles) turn left along a lane signed to Tattershall Thorpe.
- 7Cross the river and then turn left along the footpath beside the river. Walk under the old railway bridge and continue along the river to a junction with a footpath and pedestrian bridge over the river.
- 8Turn right. Cross a road and continue straight on along a footpath. Cross the old railway line and walk across a field heading to the left of the houses in the distance.
- 9At the road turn right and walk along the roadside pavement for approximately one kilometre (0.6 mile).
- 10Turn left into the entrance of Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre. Before entering the Centre turn left through the gap in the fence and then through a gate into Tattershall Thorpe Carr (Woodland Trust). Follow the path to the right, along the fence line, through the woodland. Turn right over the bridge and follow the path around the edge of the woodland, crossing the ditch again at the other end of the wood.
- 11At a crossroads of paths (close to some brick structures) turn right through a gate to leave the woodland and follow the green lane towards another woodland, Tattershall Carr (Woodland Trust). Enter the woodland over the ditch and at a junction of paths turn left. Where the path forks take the left fork and follow the path around the edge and then across the wood to a path junction where there is a brick structure on the left. Turn left, behind some houses, to a road.
- 12Cross the road and turn right. Follow the roadside pavement for approximately one kilometre (0.6 mile) to a T-junction with the main road (A153).
- 13At the T- junction turn left.
- 14 Cross the river and turn right onto a footpath that runs along the river bank and follow the path to the bridge over the river.
- 15Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead to the road. Turn right to return to the Market Place.
Accessibility & Suitability
The walk uses field paths, roadside paths, river banks, quiet lanes and woodland paths, which may be muddy in places.
You are likely to encounter livestock.
