Lincolnshire Walks Ancaster Three cir cular walks of2 3/4,4or 6km (11/3, 21/2 or 33/4 miles)
Introduction These walks are set in the attractive countryside around the historic town of Ancaster. The town has a long and important history dating from the prehistoric period. An Iron Age settlement developed into an important Roman town on Ermine Street, the Roman road linking London, Lincoln and the Humber. known as Ancaster stone, widely used for building and carving, including at Belton House and Lincoln cathedral. Look out for the Roman trail signs around the town which describe points of interest, including the statue of the three goddesses on the church wall. Ancaster sits on the County s limestone backbone, known as the Lincolnshire Edge. Limestone has long been quarried in the local area and the stone,
The Walk WALK ONE 1 Leave the car park, turn left and after about 70m turn right into Angel Court. Follow the road round and then walk between two rows of bungalows to a gate in a panel fence onto a path, once an ancient drove way. 2 Follow the public footpath directly opposite. Cross the meadow by bearing left, heading for the middle of the far hedge to a fence and stile. 3 Walk straight across the next narrow field to a lake. Turn right and follow the public footpath around the edge of the lake. The path opens out into a area with large trees. Turn left and follow the path beside the larger lake. Continue along the path to the road. 4 Turn left along the roadside path towards the traffic lights. 5 Immediately before the lights turn left along the lane. There is a gate on the right into the churchyard, where there are a number of yew trees. Yew trees are often found close to churches and there are many legends as to why this is so. One has it that it was the custom of Christian missionaries to preach under the trees and then build their churches close by. The yew symbolizes resurrection and was reputed to protect against evil influences disturbing the dead. The lakes were formed after sand extraction during which there were a number of archaeological discoveries including a middle Bronze Age cremation burial. Now a holiday complex, refreshments are available at the restaurant beyond the chalets. Look out for mallards, coots and herons on, and around, the water.
Map & Walk c N b (400m) Scale 1 / 4 mile d 4 a e 2 3 5 6 2 6 1 1 4 3 5 Reproduced from OS mapping with permission of the controller of Her Majesty s Stationery Office Crown Copyright and Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to civil proceedings. OS Licence I00025370
The Walk Continue along the lane passing the church and cemetery. This cemetery is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is one of only two sites in the country where the tall thrift grows. It is a rare form of the sea pink which is found on coastal cliffs and marshes. Two Roman coffins can also be seen in the cemetery. A board at the entrance provides further information. Follow Back Lane (past the gate into Angel Court), along a wooded path over a stream and past Moor Closes Reserve on the left. Moor Closes, is a 6 1 /2 hectare Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve and SSSI. The wet meadow is home to a variety of wildflowers including marsh orchids, spotted orchids and marsh valerian. To maintain the meadow diversity the Reserve is grazed with cattle. If you visit the Reserve, please keep to the waymarked route. WALK TWO 1 Leave the car park and turn right through the village along Ermine Street for about 800m, and under the railway bridge. 2 Turn left immediately after the bridge and follow the lane up the side of the Railway Inn and past the railway halt. 3 At the level-crossing turn right. The area behind the small housing development is the site of a Roman fort, which is a legally protected archaeological site. The fort represents the earliest Roman occupation in Ancaster. Climb the hill to a junction. Turn round to admire the views over Ancaster village and beyond. 4 Turn left and follow the road into Sudbrook. At the junction with a grass triangle turn left into Rookery Lane. 6 At the end of the lane is a T-junction, turn right along a rough track to the Old School House. At the end of the track turn right and follow the road to Ermine Street. Turn right to return to the starting point.
The Walk 5 Cross the level-crossing, then take the public footpath on the left into a large field known as The Sands. Follow the wide path across the field and then onto a track. To the right is Moor Closes Nature Reserve with views of the church beyond. Continue to the Old School and at the junction turn right. At the junction with Ermine Street turn right to return to the starting point. WALK THREE Follow the directions for Walk Two up to and including 3. a b Cross the road and continue on in the same direction along a farm track. Follow the track as it bears left. Go through the gap in the hedge and continue ahead to a second hedge. Walk through the gap in this hedge and continue in the same direction across the field. Watch out for aircraft from the nearby RAF Cranwell. c At the edge of the field turn left and follow the hedgelined track as it descends into Sudbrook village. Hedges like these are important for wildlife, especially in an agricultural landscape. They provide nesting sites, shelter and food for birds, shelter and a corridor for movement for small mammals, and because many hedge plants flower and come into leaf early in the year they provide food for a variety of insects. Look out for birds such as chaffinches, blue tits and black birds. d e At the road turn left and walk through the village, passing the former public house The Masons Arms. At the road junction with a grass triangle follow the road to the right and over the levelcrossing. The walk rejoins Walk Two now at 5.
Be a responsible walker Please remember the countryside is a place where people live and work and where wildlife makes its home. To protect the Lincolnshire countryside for other visitors please respect it and on every visit follow the Countryside Code. Thank you. Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs Leave gates and property as you find them Protect plants and animals, and take litter home Keep dogs under close control Consider other people Most of all enjoy your visit to the Lincolnshire countryside This leaflet is one in a series of walk leaflets produced by Lincolnshire County Council s Countryside Access Team to help you explore and enjoy the County s countryside. If you have enjoyed these walks and would like information on other walking routes in Lincolnshire then please visit our website. If you encounter any problems whilst on these walks, such as an overgrown path or a broken sign post, please let us know so they can be corrected. We would also welcome your comments and suggestions on the walk and leaflet to help improve future editions. If you would like to request this leaflet in an alternative format or a different language please contact us Lincolnshire County Council Countryside Access Team Tel: 01522 782070 Minicom: 01522 552055 Email: countryside_access@lincolnshire.gov.uk Website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countryside
Walk Information Walk Location: Ancaster is situated on the A153 between Sleaford and Grantham. Starting point & parking: Playing field and Social Club car park off Ermine Street, NG32 3QW (opposite the Ermine Way pub). Grid reference SK 984 439. Public Transport: Both buses and trains run from Lincoln, Grantham and Sleaford. For further information and times call the Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.lincsbus.info or www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/busrailtravel Walk length: Walk One: 2 3 /4 km (1 1 /3 miles). Walk Two: 4 km (2 1 /2 miles). Walk Three: 6 km (3 3 /4 miles). At a leisurely pace the walks will take these approximate times to complete: Walk One: 1 hour. Walk Two: 1 1 /4 hours. Walk Three: 2 hours. Type of walk: Walk One: An easy level walk using field paths and tracks. You may encounter stiles. Walk Two: Using field paths, tracks and quiet lanes there is one ascent. Walk Three: Using tracks, paths and lanes there is one long ascent with a height gain of 60m (180ft). Ordnance Survey maps for the area: Explorer 247 Grantham and 272 Lincoln. Landranger 130 Grantham. Refreshments: The Ermine Way pub, Railway Inn, Woodland Waters, Post Office and Ancaster Stores in Ancaster. These walks and leaflet have been put together with the assistance of local landowners and Ancaster Parish Council. Published August 2005 Revised and reprinted March 2010 Reference D021