Get Lost Mountaineering

Bracebridge N & S Hykeham Haddington Thurlby Norton Disney Carlton le Moorland 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

32 km/20 miles   About 2 – 3 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, Norton Disney, Carlton le Moorland 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 but do not turn left for Bassingham. Instead go straight on signed for Swinderby. Pass a truning for Witham St. Hughes (gated entrance) then pass the road to the A46 and Swinderby which is the main route for Witham St. Hughes – a new estate built on what was R.A.F. Swinderby. Continue ahead, round some bends, to pass a caravan/camp site (Oakhill Farm) then a second turning for Swinderby. Reach Norton Big Wood then continue to reach a T junction. Turn left and enter Norton Disney which is essentially one long street. Pass the pub and church to reach a T junction then turn right (left is a short cut to Bassingham if you wish to shorten your route). Soon after, reach another t junction and turn left then cross the River Witham at Scotwater Bridge. Continue ahead, ignoring another left turn for Bassingham to reach Carlton le Moorland. Reach a right turn which is the High Street and follow it to Church Street (left turn). Go past the church then follow the road left near the village hall. Reach a crossroads and go straight across for Bassingham.

(3) Follow the road which has a cycle track on the right if you wish to use it. There is a sculpture of a horse on the cycle track just before the village. Stay on the road into the village ignoring all turnings unless you wish to explore. Pass the Bugle Horn (pub) and Hammond Hall before turning left into Eastgate which soon delivers you to the centre of the village. Turn right and follow the High Street past the Five Bell (pub) then follow the road out of the village to join Thurlby Road, signed for Aubourn and Lincoln. Turn right then left further on and follow the road 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.

(4) 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.