Local Walks
The level terrain lends itself perfectly to those who enjoy a good walk without the tiring prospect of hills! Close to our site there are a multitude of opportunities for walks alongside the rivers, through historic villages and traversing the local rural landscape. There are good walks straight from our site. Details of many of the walks are available from the Information Centre on site. Slightly further afield, Rutland Water is surrounded by a network of footpaths and byways which will occupy the enthusiastic walker for many days.
Two useful websites for finding walks are:
https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/lincs/walks.php
https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/cambridge/walks.php
Here are two of our favourite walks.
A Walk Along the Riverbank
These walks take about 1 hr- 2 hrs (longer if you stop at one of the watering houses along the way!!!)
Deeping St James. Shorter walk follow * Market Deeping Walk follow **
Turn left out of our drive and walk to the end of the lane and turn right into Stowgate Road. At the “T” junction directly opposite Stowgate Road, is a tarmac path leading to the riverbank between the properties. Continue across the bridge, area is “Low Locks”, and bear left following the foot trodden path to cross the water again. Once over the river turn right and walk along the footpath as far as you can go, until you reach a gate leading on to the road by properties. Continue straight ahead on the road and turn right into Riverside. This is a pretty little lane which is not usually seen. As you turn a left hand bend in the lane you will see the river again on your right. Continue along this lane until you see the single file road bridge, and foot bridge leading across the river. * or **Here you can either continue straight ahead keeping the river on your right, walking on the towpath passing “High Locks”, taking the longest walk into Market Deeping, ** Continue along towpath through gate into field with footpath clearly marked. Through gate and across property gravel driveway to gate leading into another small field. Across field to gate leading onto the main road. Turn right and continue over town river bridge to roundabout. Turn right and walk along High Street, continuing past Antique & Craft Centre at mini roundabout passing The Boundary Fish & Chip shop/restaurant. Where main road bears left continue straight ahead into Bridge Street eventually the river will be seen on the right again, and the single file road bridge where you could have continued with the shorter walk.
*However if you do not wish to go to Market Deeping, then take the foot bridge before reaching the road bridge. Cross the road and bear right along Church Street passing Hereward Way on the left. As you come back along Church Street you pass the Bell and the Waterton Arms pubs. Continue along the path passing the Post Office. STOP HERE Directly in front of you, you will see the old school and the lockup keep called “The Cross” (Don’t have too much to drink in the pubs as you might end up here for the night!!!) If you wish to continue along Eastgate, then just keep walking until you come back to Stowgate Road, where your walk started. OR ALTERNATIVELY turn left at the “The Cross” into Church Gate and follow the path round by the Priory Church. The houses on the left after the old peoples bungalows, have been converted from the Tithe Barn and the Old Priory Farm Yard. (On the left hand bend, turn right into Back Lane on the opposite side of the road.
As you walk down the lane, look at the field on the right after the bungalow (soon part to be built on) this field has uneven ground, which (looks like building remains now covered by grass. This may be because at one time the village was hit by a plague and the properties were abandoned.) This field was also called “Feast Field”, as it was used for the village annual feast and fair.
The big tree on the corner of the lane, held a German pilot, (you could say captive, during the second world war). His aeroplane which was in flames, flew over Church Street, narrowly missing the church. The pilot’s parachute became entangled in the tree on the corner of Back Lane, seconds before his plane exploded in the next field to ours. (the field which has conifers around the bottom half). You might like to know it was recorded at the time that two of the unexploded bombs were not found. In July 1989 a group of experts came to look for the bombs. They found one and made a controlled explosion, which did break some of our glass in the glasshouses. Please do not ask about the other bomb!!! I am pleased that our bungalow was not built then.
Whichever way you walked I trust that you enjoyed it. Feet up time and kettle on.
A Walk Around Deeping Lakes Reserve
The Nature Reserve is 2.1 miles away. There is ample free parking or can be walked to in about 45 minutes.
On leaving the site turn left onto Back Lane. At the end of Back Lane turn left onto Stowgate Road.
At the crossroads turn right onto Station Road. At the junction by the level crossing turn left to remain on Station Road. In 0.6 mile at the bend the Reserve is on your right.
Further information can be found on the Lincolnshire Wildlife website:
https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/deeping-lakes
A map of the reserve and trail can be accessed here.
More walks in the surrounding area (these are all external links, please let us know if they do not work):
Walks around Crowland 1.8 miles – 11 miles
Market Deeping and West Deeping 5.5 miles
Baston to Wilsthorpe 6.2 miles
Stamford Four Counties Walk 3 or 6 miles
