Itinerary
Wolds to Waves (and Waves to Wolds)
Experience Lincolnshire’s changing landscapes, one step at a time
Lincolnshire is full of contrasts. With the pull of the city, charm of the countryside and nostalgia of the coast.
Venture out for a day, from the Wolds to the waves, and explore the unique perspective that each of these landscapes offers.
From the Wolds-edge calm of West Lindsey, where paths and lanes carry you through rolling countryside, to the pull of the northeast, where culture, sand and salty air wait for visitors, when you choose to travel from county to coast or vice versa, you are in fact walking in the footsteps of Vikings. A path that people have followed for centuries, one that is now marked with the recognisable Viking helmet on the yellow disc.
While the 149-mile Viking Way trail, opened in 1976 and named for the journey it maps through Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, was named to recognise the historical influence of 9th-century Norse invaders, in Grimsby, Viking history can be traced back to Havelok and Grim, a tale that follows Viking ‘Grim’ and the boy prince ‘Havelok’ as they flee across the North Sea and begin building the settlement that we now know as Grimsby.
From inland calm to coastal buzz
At a glance
Time needed: A full day (or split into two)
Best for: Day-trippers, history lovers, walkers, families with older kids, weekend wanderers
Getting around: Car + walking
Route style: Modular — pick two or three hero stops and decide the rest on the day
The vibe: Wolds-edge reset + sea-air energy, stitched together by stories of centuries gone by
Join the dots
Less tick-list, more time to discover landscapes that transform
Begin with Wolds-edge views and market-town visits, then move towards the coast, where you find a fresher feel. Trace a route across Lincolnshire’s contrasting panoramas, and spend some time connecting to the landscape that surrounds you.
First steps
Start with lanes and local life
A calm first chapter
Begin in Caistor, a hillside market town perched on the northern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Long considered a natural gateway point for Wolds-to-coast adventures, it’s a place that makes you slow down: a traditional market square, a proud sense of local heritage, and a thriving variety of local businesses nestled right on the edge of Lincolnshire’s AONB.
While the architecture is mostly Roman and Georgian, following Anglo-Saxon rule, Caistor fell under the Danelaw, the area of northern and eastern England under Viking administrative control. A historic detail that has famously connected the town to the Viking Way, which passes directly through the town.
Take a wander here, grab a coffee at the Arts and Heritage Centre or Helz Kitchen, and take to the Caistor to Tealby Walk to experience some of the best views the county has to offer. A linear route that takes walkers through Caistor, Nettleton, Walesby, and Tealby, this 9-mile section crosses the highest ground, not only of the Viking Way but in all of Lincolnshire. Both valley and hill scenery are some of the loveliest you’ll find.
Best for: A gentle start with an in-built story
Don’t miss: A quick Viking Way moment — snap yourself with the iconic yellow waymarkers!
Walk in historic footsteps
Follow our ancestors further
Viking history points to Gainsborough, a market town that deserves a moment.
If you’re keen to truly follow the Vikings, weave in a visit to Gainsborough. Often celebrated locally as a ‘Viking Capital’, in 1013–1014, it’s believed the town served as a Danish base and short-lived centre of power during Sweyn Forkbeard’s conquest, with Sweyn and his son arriving by fleet and setting up camp close to where Gainsborough Old Hall stands today.
This is also where one of England’s best-known Viking-era legends is rooted: the story of a King ‘commanding the tide’ on the River Trent, not to show off his power, but to prove its limits. Today, you’ll still find nods to that legacy in the town, including a mosaic of the Viking King in Whitton Gardens. Stand by the water, picture the ships, and carry that Norse influencer forward into your coast chapter. Explore our 25 must-try Gainsborough experiences too.
Time to be surprised
Where heritage meets the water’s edge, and culture adds a splash of colour
Dockside stories, big skies, and unexpected art
When you’re ready to swap the countryside for the coast, leave Gainsborough behind, and - with your bucket and spade in the boot - head 40 miles north east to Lincolnshire’s coastline. A delightful combination of gorgeous villages, foodie hot-spots and seaside charm, expect classic seaside fun, art and culture, and the kind of heritage that feels alive rather than preserved.
Best for: History with a wild side
Don’t miss: The home of the Havelok’s story, Havelok’s Kingdom, is the story-first way to experience Grimsby beyond the usual seaside loop. Known for the events it puts on locally, from Grim’s Great Time Travellers and Grim’s Great Jorvik Saga to Grim’s Great Viking Village that took place in February this year, keep an eye out for what’s next!
Catch of the day
Festival of the Sea (Grimsby)
A celebration of Grimsby’s relationship with the sea through heritage and culture, with food, activity, and family-friendly energy, the Festival of the Sea is back! Now in its sixth year, this free festival celebrates the town’s proud maritime heritage and world-leading seafood industry, with a vibrant programme of entertainment, activities and food experiences.
Festival of the Sea was Highly Commended at the 2025 Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Tourism Excellence Awards as "Festival of the Year".
When: Saturday 20 June 2026
Lincolnshire's ready when you are
Start in the hills. End by the sea.
And follow Greater Lincolnshire’s wild story in between.
The best day trips aren’t about ticking off stops — they’re about immersing yourself in your surroundings, making new discoveries and connecting with new places.
Greater Lincolnshire’s ties to Viking history lie at the heart of this day of exploring. From the natural curves of the Wolds through the tilting landscapes that soften and open as you travel towards the coast. The beat of our Viking heritage is always close by.
It’s there from Gainsborough to Grimsby, in the tales of the Viking King, and Havelok and Grim. And it’s there in the small, satisfying details too. The yellow waymarkers of the Viking Way, and the paths across the county that still follow ancient foundations and lines of travel.