9th April 2011 - Vale of Belvoir

9th April 2011 - Vale Of Belvoir
Pathfinder Guide Lincolnshire & The Wolds Walk#15
(6.5 Miles)

On yet another hot and Sunny April day we arrived in Woolsthorpe by Belvoir just after 10am and parked close to the local convenience store roadside. The store is tiny so do not expect to buy sandwiches - pou get  water, pop, chocolate and crisps at best!

After stocking up on essential (water, choc, crisps) we set off and headed through the village, over a stile and across a long meadow towards Belvoir Castle in the distance.

Here we noticed many hares in the meadow and the adjacent field, rare to see so many.

Past the meadow we took a lane passing the castle entrance and took a right along a busier road.

This we followed for about a mile, turning right along a much quieter lane. There were some nice views across open countryside to the horizon and so clear with perfect weather and blue cloudless skies.

This track led us to the now disused Grantham Canal. The canal was constructed between 1793 and 1797 to link Grantham with the river Trent at Nottingham. It was abandoned in 1929  although gradual restoration is underway. It would be good to see traditional narrow boats using the canal and the locks functioning. There was plenty of wildlife to grab our attention though, from buzzards sweeping overhead, Swans nesting and cruising the canal, and pheasants running from bushes as we approached. (Don`t foget the hares!, worth going for the hares alone!!)

The canal path we followed for about 2.5 miles and a well deserved (earned) pint at the "Dirty Duck" pub seen in the distance on the picture above.

The walk back to Woolsthorpe was then via lanes/roadways and back into the village and the start point.

A pleasant walk with the castle offering an interesting backdrop at the beginning, and some interesting wildlife and a pleasant stroll along the canal.

Our Walk Score: 6/10