Lincoln to Newark-on-Trent
Tour through fen, farmland, and towns revealing royal history
Lincoln to Newark-on-Trent
Follow the route - Lincoln to Newark-on-Trent
Lincoln to Bardney
> From Lincoln take the B1190 east to Bardney.
Visiting Bardney
A small fen town on the River Witham, Bardney is dominated by its sugar beet factory, which was opened in 1927. The town’s appearance is more practical than beautiful, but some fine examples of Georgian buildings can be seen among the Victorian houses. Bardney Abbey, dating from the 7th century, was destroyed by Vikings and refounded in 1087. Ethelred the Unready built Tupholme Abbey, 2 miles (3km) beyond the river bridge, and although preserved, these ancient ruins can still be visited today.
Places to stay near Bardney
Bardney to Woodhall Spa
> Continue along the B1190, then just after Bucknall turn south on to unclassified roads to Woodhall Spa.
Visiting Woodhall Spa
This inland watering place was once famous for its natural springs and has a pump room built in the 19th century. Today it is best known for its championship golf-course. The 60-foot (18m) Tower on the Moor is thought to have been erected by the builders of Tattershall Castle, further south, whose fine keep is a relic of the castle built in 1440 by Ralph Cromwell, one of the richest men in the kingdom. He also built a magnificent collegiate church, in which perpetual prayers for his soul were to be said. There are excellent views from the castle looking across the low countryside as far as Lincoln and Boston. The only working fen steam engine in the country is at nearby Dogdyke Pumping Station.
Places to stay in Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa to Heckington
> Continue south to Tattershall turning right on to the A153, then the B1395 past North Kyme. In a short distance turn right on to an unclassified road, crossing the A17 into Heckington.
Visiting Heckington
The flat, open and exposed landscape round Heckington is an ideal location for a windmill, and there has been one on the same site since 1830. The Friends of Heckington Windmill have fully restored the present mill, which is the only eight-sailed windmill still working in the country, and was used for drainage as well as grinding corn. One of the several pubs in the village, the Nag’s Head, claims that Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman, once stayed there. The magnificent decorated cruciform church dates from the 14th century.
Places to stay near Heckington
Heckington to Sleaford
> Follow the B1394 west, then the A17 to Sleaford.
Visiting Sleaford
Sleaford is a small town set on the River Slea and the partly navigable Sleaford Canal. St Denys’ Church, which dominates the town, has a 144-foot (44m) solid stone spire, one of the oldest in the country, and its window tracery is exceptionally fine. The Black Bull Inn’s sign dates from 1689 and illustrates the old sport of bull-baiting, which continued in these parts until 1807. The large mounds beside Castle Causeway are all that remains of the 12th-century castle, where King John was taken ill with a fatal fever on the night after losing the crown jewels while crossing the Wash.
The National Centre for Craft and Design, called the Hub, in Carre Street, is the second largest in the country.
Places to stay near Sleaford
Sleaford to Leadenham
> Return to the A17 and continue to Leadenham.
Visiting Leadenham
This little village grew up along the line of limestone hills called Lincoln Cliff, which stretches from near Humberside as far south as Grantham. It is worth visiting just for the lovely church spire, but there are many attractive stone houses and the Old Hall is built entirely of golden-coloured stone.
Places to stay near Leadenham
Leadenham to Newark-on-Trent
> Follow the A17 to Newark-on-Trent via the village of Coddington.
Visiting Newark-on-Trent
The sign on the edge of town reads ‘Historic Newark-on-Trent’, and this is certainly a treasure house of history. The ruined 12th-century castle is where King John died in 1216, and is opposite the Ossington, a Victorian flight of fancy.
Travellers have been passing through the town for centuries: the Roman Fosse Way and the Great North Road intersect nearby, and the River Trent has been canalised here. The cobblestoned marketplace, the scene of Prime Minister William Gladstone’s first major political speech, still survives, and you cannot miss the massive 252-foot (77m) spire of St Mary Magdalen, which is 30 feet (9m) higher than the total length of the church.
