Get Lost Mountaineering

Skellingthorpe to Historic Lincoln

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

21 km/13 miles     About 2 hours

Introduction

This is a short pleasant cycle which uses cycle tracks and quiet roads to reach Lincoln and return. Lincoln is a very historic city, more so than people realise. Lincoln Cathedral was, for many years, the tallest building in Europe. The city was very important in both Roman and Medieval times. It's cathedral and castle are very close and were held by opposing sides during the English Civil War. The route takes in many, but not all, of the sites in Lincoln worth seeing.

Route

(1) From the community centre car park, cross the road and follow the sustrans track towards Lincoln. Reach a junction almost below the A46 Lincoln bypass and continue ahead on a narrower track, in the trees and below the bypass. This leads up to the side of the bypass and crosses by a self contained but narrow bridge so you are safe from the traffic. Cross the Foss Dyke and railway then descend the other side which has a tight hairpin bend early in the descent. Go round the second hairpin to reach a minor road. Turn right and pass under the A46 Lincoln bypass to reach the Pyewipe and go through its car park to gain the cycle track running east alongside the Fossdyke. Reach Lincoln and continue along a street by the canal. This leads to a narrow footpath which most people cycle on although you are supposed go around it! Continue following the canal to go under the Brayford Bridge then alongside the Brayford Pool (created by the Romans as was the Fossdyke) to where the River Witham is joined. Pass the cinema then continue, on a footpath perhaps pushing your bike, toward the Gloryhole where the River Witham goes under the High Street. Go up the short flight of steps to reach the High Street. Turn right and follow the pedestrian zone down to the traffic lights, crossing back over the river and passing the War Memorial and Cornhill. Turn left and go past the station but go left, down Sincil Street, just before the bus station. Reach the river and turn right to reach Broadgate Bridge. Go over the bridge to enjoy good views of the cathedral.

(2) On the other side, cross the river and go down Waterside North to reach the lock at Stamp End. You can carry on ahead but it is a dead end and you will have to retrace. Go left at Stamp End and follow the road to a junction where you can turn right. Follow this until just below a playing field with the ruins of Monks Abbey above it. Go up the road on its left to reach Monks Road then turn right and follow Monks Road which curves round and up to reach a junction. Turn left, Greetwell Road, towards the city, and pass the hospital and prison. Reach traffic lights at the Peacock Inn and go straight across. Pass the Morning Star, one of the best traditional pubs in the city. If it is open, go inside for a drink. If it is closed, wait until it opens!! Continue to reach traffic lights at the cathedral. Go left and explore the cathedral grounds. Just below the cathedral is the Bishops' Palace. Go around the left hand side of the cathedral and through the arches into Exchequer Gate with the castle directly ahead. Turn right and go along Bailgate to its end at Newport Arch. Retrace back and turn into Westgate which runs below the castle walls. Follow this then turn left after the Strugglers and go past the west gate of the castle to the end of the road, passing The Lawn on your right. At the end of the road turn right and follow the road down to meet the road coming down Yarborough Hill. Turn right, uphill, then left at the traffic lights into Long Leys Road. Follow this for its full length, passing St. Georges Hospital to reach the A57 main road. Turn right then, within 100 m, turn right again onto the old road and follow this until it rejoins the main road. Turn right, towards Gainsborough, and continue until you reach the road for the Pyewipe. Follow this back to where you came off the sustrans track from Skellingthorpe then retrace back to Skellingthorpe.

Notes

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