Get Lost Mountaineering

Skellingthorpe S & N Clifton Newton Laughterton Torksey Saxilby

Start/Finish

Skellingthorpe community centre where there is usually ample free parking. This is most easily reached from the Skellingthorpe roundabout on the A46 Lincoln bypass. Take the road into Skellingthorpe and the car park is roughly where the cycle track from Lincoln crosses the road.

Distance/Time

35 km/22 miles    About 2 – 3 hours

Introduction

This is a mainly pleasant cycle much of which is on a sustrans track or minor roads. From Skellingthorpe to the Harby junction, it is a good tarmac track but less good from Harby to where it is left and it is more like a path in places. After that, it is mainly minor roads apart from when on the A1133. The route crosses the Foss Dyke at Torksey Lock with the road passing directly over the lock which connects the Foss Dyke (canal) with the River Trent. The Foss Dyke was created by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent. Near North Clifton, there are good views of the Fledborough Viaduct over the River Trent.

Route

(1) Follow the cycle track from behind the community centre in the direction of Harby. Soon leave Skellingthorpe behind. After just over 3 km, go under the Doddington Road bridge. Continue for about another 1.5 km to go under the Harby Road bridge. Continue, ignoring the sharp left tiun for Harby. Almost immediately, the track deteriorates and can be muddy in places. Continue ahead, passing some wind turbines on the right then crossing Wigsley Drain before passing under the Wigsley Road bridge then the South Clifton Road bridge soon after. Soon after, reach the only house next to the track which still has its old level crossing. Leave the sustrans track here, taking the track off to the left which soon reaches the road for South Clifton (turn right). Follow the road for some distance until it crosses the A1133 Newark to Torksey road then continue ahead, passing the Cornation (village) Hall to reach South Clifton at a crossroads. Go left into the village and follow the road round to the right to reach Back Street which is taken towards North Clifton. Once out of the village, reach the school on a bend then pass the church before passing under the sustrans track. Follow the road into North Clifton to reach a road triangle. If you wish to take the optional detour to the River Trent take the left fork and follow it through the village. There is a sign for the River Trent. The route goes down the side of what seems to be a large lawn and becomes a rough track that soon goes over a hump backed bridge. The track can be muddy but soon leads to the River Trent and gives good views of the Trent Viaduct to the south. Retrace back to the triangle and follow the sign for Gainsborough which soon leads to the A1133 road from Newark to Gainsborough. Turn left and and continue to reach the A57 at Newton on Trent. Go across on a slightly staggered junction to continue on the A1133 towards Gainsborough and Laughterton. If you wish to go through Newton village then take the cycle track on the left just before the A57. This crosses the A57 and leads into the village. Continue ahead to join the road to Laughterton.

(2) Reach Laughterton where the road winds through the village. Pass the Friendship Inn to reach a triangle where there is a right turning for Fenton and Kettlethorpe. Ignore the turning and stay on the A1133. Soon reach Torksey Lock and join the A156 Lincoln to Gainsborough road just after passing the White Swan (pub). Pass over the lock at the end of the Foss Dyke and continue towards Torksey. There is a significant bend in the centre of Torksey by the Hume Arms. Continue and pass the church then take the next right turn signposted for Hardwick and Bransby. Follow the road out of Torksey, passing the entrance to the golf club. Further on, take the right turn for Hardwick and Saxilby. This is a much more minor road and continues for about 4 miles to Saxilby, passing the turning for Hardwick on the way as well as going under the Lincoln to Gainsborough railway near Sykes Farm. The road to Hardwick is a dead end so if you take it you will have to retrace. Join the main street in Saxilby by the village hall opposite The Anglers. The station can be visited by a short detour on the right soon after joining the main street. The road eventually runs alongside the Foss Dyke before leaving the shops behind and bends round to reach Mill Lane. Turn right to reach the busy A57. Turn right and go up onto the bridge then take the left turn on the top of the bridge for Skellingthorpe.

(3) Follow the back road towards Skellingthorpe, initially alongside the Foss Dyke then over a level crossing. Continue past a small industrial estate then around a left handed bend to pass the road, on the right, signed for the Old Wood. Continue ahead and soon reach the edge of Skellingthorpe. Pass the Stones Arms and follow the road around a left hand bend. Pass the Plough Inn and Co-Op to reach a triangular junction. Turn left and follow the road back to the community centre.

Notes

(a) This cycle ride took place in April, 2020.

(b) Those wishing to visit the Old Wood can enter it from the sign on the back road which lengthens the route by about 2 km. After a couple of bends, the road straightens out and continues for some distance until it ends at a five way junction of rough roads and bridleways. Turn left onto the rough road and follow it to a T junction where there is a pillar box. Turn left and go past a cemetery to reach the back road left earlier where you turn right.

(c) St. Lawrence's church is worth a short detour. Go straight on at the right hand bend, Ferry Lane, after leaving the triangle by the Co-Op.