Facing the Woolpack Hotel by Market Square in the centre of Wainfleet, turn left and walk along the High Street and over the level crossing. Turn right for a signposted public footpath just beyond Barton Road. Go past some houses and, beyond a footbridge, head out on a narrow grassy strip across the middle of fields. Continue to the far side, via two more small footbridges, and turn left on to a lane. 

In 75yds (69m) go right on a waymarked footpath along the back of some houses, and finally join the riverside lane, which is on the far side of another small field. Turn right and walk alongside the Steeping River, either on the lane or, better still, on top of the grassy embankment above.

At the brick-built Crow’s Bridge cross over to the road on to the south side, and turn left (downstream) on Haven Bank. If you want to lengthen the walk you could continue beyond Crow’s Bridge along the right-hand side of Wainfleet Bank for around 0.75 miles (1.2km) before crossing over to the Barkham Arms, a pub that serves the adjoining caravan park. Return to Wainfleet along the opposite bank on the quiet lane. 

After the bridge, continue downstream on Haven Bank. Nearby is the site of the medieval village of Wainfleet and a footpath across the fields connects with the now isolated St Mary’s Church. After the road veers away from the river through houses and a pavement appears, it bends very sharply left.

Go straight on here at the public footpath sign, along a narrow walkway between dense hedges, then beside a fence. Continue between back gardens and a field, cross the end of a drive and, after a small fenced strip, emerge on to a road by Halfpenny Hill Cottage. 

Turn right, then in 220yds (201m) go left into St Michaels Lane. Walk past the converted stump of an old windmill and, after the last house on the left, turn left between hedges and out across the middle of a field. Continue through a gate and across a meadow, then drift slightly right through the overgrown parkland of Wainfleet Hall. Go out of the gate on the far side and turn left to walk along the pavement of Boston Road across the river and back into the town.

On the left you pass Batemans Brewery and further on is All Saints parish church, with its unusual bell turret. Cross the railway and on the far side turn right into Silver Street. Follow this to reach Magdalen Museum and continue on what has now become St John’s Street to turn left into Barkham Street. Turn left at the far end to return to Market Square.