Get Lost Mountaineering

Bracebridge N & S Hykeham Haddington Thurlby Bassingham Aubourn Brant Road

Start/Finish

The bridge over the River Witham on Newark Road close to the Plough Inn and Esso petrol station between the turnings for Brant Road and Hykeham Road/Rookery Lane.

Distance/Time

28 km/17 miles    About 2 hours

Introduction

Once Newark Road is left, the route becomes increasingly rural and more pleasant. South Hykeham, Haddington and Thurlby are attractive hamlets whilst Aubourn and Bassingham are attractive villages. Both the Rivers Witham and Brant are crossed.

Route

(1) Cycle away from Lincoln (in the direction of Newark). Soon reach the staggered traffic light junction for Hykeham Road and Rookery Lane. Turn left into Hykeham Road, which soon straightens, and follow it until it becomes Lincoln Road at the start of North Hykeham; the Lincoln Green (pub) is soon after. Continue into North Hykeham, passing the Co-Op shopping complex just before another staggered junction by the Harrows (pub). Continue ahead, into Mill Lane, passing the church. Reach the Denzlingen roundabout (Denzlingen is twinned with North Hykeham) and continue ahead to soon reach the hamlet of South Hykeham after passing the entrance to Grange Farm. Take a short detour left to look at the church then follow the road around to the right and continue for some distance to a T junction where the road bends left for Haddington. Pass the not very obvious entrance to South Hykeham Grange then go over an easy hill to pass Hillside Farm. Continue to reach the edge of Haddington. Pass the turning for Aubourn and go into Haddington then go ahead on the restricted access road to reach Haddington Moated Site and Dovecote. Continue ahead to reach a T junction. Turn left which is the road to Thurlby and follow it to the hamlet where there is an attractive church not seen from the road but only about 100 m of a detour.

(2) Continue, passing the red pillar box and phone box on the bend, then go left to take the road to Bassingham. Follow this out of the hamlet to cross the River Witham just before reaching Bassingham. To explore the village take the first right turn then left turns after that but if you want to see the High Street then go ahead at the first triangle in the village. Either way return to the road from Thurlby, further on from where you left it, and follow it towards Aubourn. The road from Haddington joins after Aubourn church. Soon reach Aubourn village which has a one way system. Go through the village, passing the Royal Oak.

(3) Continue ahead on a straight road heading east towards the Lincoln ridge. Pass the entrance to Blackmoor Farm then the turning for Brant Broughton before the road bends left at the turning for Harmston. Stay with the road and pass Lincoln Lane Farm then the single track road for upper Waddington. Continue and pass the turning for North Hykeham then the main turning for upper Waddington. Continue, on Brant Road, which is now built up. Just after the large, set back, medical centre (on the right), turn left into Calder Road. Follow the road, around a bend, until you can take Syston Grove – in the same direction. Look for a wide, unsigned, path on the left at right angles to the road. Take this which goes through Syston Woods and is the best surface of the whole route. This track leads back to the bridge over the River Witham on Newark Road.

Notes

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