Saturday 16th October 2010

Alvingham & the Louth Canal

(Pathfinder Lincolnshire Guidebook Walk #1)

(3.83 Miles,1.5hrs)

We parked at 12:40 in a lay-by near Alvingham Mill in front of a farm entrance. Note that later on in the afternoon this lay-by was completely full. The mill is quite picturesque and the day was quite sunny and bright, despite a shower earlier in the morning.

To begin we crossed through the farmyard, which appears to be the wrong way initially, but crossing right to the corner past the main building there is a small gate leading to the churchyard described (the churches are hidden until you approach nearer)

There are 2 churches together here, though one is redundant now, but one still serves as Alvinghams Parish church.

Passing through the churchyard we crossed a footbridge over the brook right past the cows in the field.

Turning left along the enbankment of the Louth Canal we headed along for about a mile to High Bridge. The canal was adandoned in 1929, it is 12 miles in length and linked Louth to the sea.

The red berries were very much in evidence.

On reaching High Bridge and pasing over a couple of stiles we turned right past several farms and then followed the track till we saw a wind farm to our left getting ever closer.

We headed to the right away from this and along tracks again keeping left at a fork and then following a field track near a drain (though the drain was very overgrown you could hardly see it was there)

The route took us to North Cockerington

Passing by the edge of the village we arrived back at the start point and alvingham Mill.

All in all an easy and pleasant walk on the flat with wildlife such as Swans and Pheasants near to the canal and around the fields.

Our Walk Score: 7/10