(16.09km)
Take pleasure in your heritage with a hike on the old towpath alongside the Louth Navigation - excavated by hand in the 1760's - and get the feel of a bygone age. The waterway passes through, or forms the boundary of,
ten parishes, with a varied mix of historical and current interest. Moorhens, mallard and mute swans now cruise where barges sailed. Enjoy the varied flora and fauna of one of East Lincolnshire's forgotten gems.
Starting point
Navigation Warehouse
Riverhead Road
Louth
Lincolnshire
LN11 0DA
- Refreshments
- 1The Navigation Warehouse, Riverhead Road, Louth, stands adjacent to the Woolpack PH and was built in the 1770's and restored in 1999. Follow the path on the northern bank of the canal for 300 metres to the Tilting Weir (the site of Top Lock) cross over the footbridge to the southern bank, where the path follows the original towpath for 10 miles (16K) to Tetney Lock.
- 2At Keddington Lock you will see the remains of the top sill, where the upper pair of lock gates hung. The remainder of the lock walls have been replaced by gabions (wire baskets filled with bricks) to prevent the banks from falling in. Some 200 metres to the west of the lock stands the old Raven public house, now a private dwelling. A footbridge over the canal leads to the 12th Century, St Margaret's church in Keddington village, now in private ownership.
- 3Ticklepenny Lock, named after the family of smallholders and lock keepers who lived close by. Some of the Ticklepenny family are buried in St Margaret's churchyard, Keddington. The lock was originally spanned by a wooden swing bridge, now replaced by a permanent structure.
- 4Willows Lock, a good example of one of six unique "barrel sided" locks along the canal, built like this for additional strength. Of a total of eight locks, only Outfen and Tetney Locks were 'straight' sided.
- 5Salter Fen Lock is in a very poor state with only the top sill remaining. The Keddington Sewage Farm discharges clear effluent into the canal just beyond the lock.
- 6Alvingham Lock still has the remains of a goods wharf. Close to the lock the present Lock Farm house was the old Ship Inn. 300 metres downstream from the lock there is a footbridge across the canal, giving access to the N.Cockerington church of St Mary's and the Alvingham church of St Adelwold's, both dating from the 12th Century and occupying a common churchyard. Beyond the churchyard and adjacent farmyard is Alvingham Mill circa. 17th Century.
- 7At High bridge the canal was originally spanned by a wooden swing bridge. Apart from the brick foundations, only a small section of old iron railing remains of this structure. It has now been replaced by a fixed road bridge.
- 8Outfen Lock is the only remaining example of a straight sided lock on the Louth Navigation.
- 9Austen Fen Bridge - see the partly restored example of an 18 Century warehouse built to accommodate conal borne goods.
- 10Firebeacon Bridge - where there is an 18th Century canal side warehouse. To the west of the bridge the old Ship public house has now been replaced by a bungalow.
- Upstream of the bridge, water from the canal is pumped into Covenham Reservoir, with its various water sport activities (see www.covenhamsc.co.uk). The reservoir is a magnet for bird watchers, particularly in the winter when many species of migratory waterfowl are to be seen there.
- 11Fish retreat - Excavated alongside the canal and linked to it by a small channel, it is used by fish as a place to 'rest up', particularly in winter at times when the canal is in spate.
- 12At Tetney Lock the 'new' road bridge straddles the canal where the old sea lock and wooden road bridge stood. The Crown and Anchor dates from the late 18th Century. Proceed from the Crown & Anchor 200 metres west along the roadside to a stile on the right hand side. Follow the track of the old towpath on the south side of the canal for 10 miles (16K) to the Tilting Weir at Louth where you should cross over the footbridge to the north bank and thereafter arrive at the Navigation Warehouse.
Level but can be muddy at times.
more information
Starting point
Navigation Warehouse
Riverhead Road
Louth
Lincolnshire
LN11 0DA
things to do in the area
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (BBMF)
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Back 2 Bear Outdoor Activities
Bain Valley, Belmont Mast, Biscathorpe Lake Birdwatching
Covenham Reservoir Birdwatching
Donna Nook National Nature Reserve Birdwatching
Lincoln & Witham Landscape Recovery
Red Hill & Stenigot Birdwatching
Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes
South Ormsby Estate Birdwatching
South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red Beef
Willingham Forest & Linwood Warren Birdwatching
Edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds – Market Rasen to Caistor Cycle Route
Edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds – Market Rasen to Wickenby Cycle Route
food & drink in the area
places to stay in the area
Longwool Lookout at the Rookery Rural Retreats
Louth Livestock Market Motorhome Stopover
Off-the-Grid Camping at Wykeham Hall Farm
The Saddlehouse at Wykeham Hall Farm
The Stables at the Rookery Rural Retreats
Brackenborough Hall Coach House
Greetham Retreat CL Touring Site
Grimblethorpe Hall Country Cottages
Katie’s Corner at Greetham Retreat
Laura’s Loft at Greetham Retreat
Maggie’s Mews at Greetham Retreat
Rose’s Rest at Greetham Retreat
The Half Moon Hotel and Restaurant
Wendy’s Wing at Greetham Retreat
Holme Lea Caravan & Camping Site (inc. Green Gables Luxury Wagon)