Boothby Graffoe:Layout 1 12/2/08 08:52 Page 1

Be a responsible walker Walk Information Introduction

Please remember the countryside is a place where people live Walk location: Boothby Graffoe is situated just
B o o t h by
and work and where wildlife makes its home. To protect the
Lincolnshire countryside for other visitors please respect it and on
off the A607 between Lincoln and Grantham,
approx 7 miles south of Lincoln. Gr This walk is set in and around way track and on the spring

every visit follow the Countryside Code. Thank you.

af the attractive villages of
Boothby Graffoe, Navenby and
line. A settlement has been
here since the 10th century

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs

Starting point and parking: Main Street,
Boothby Graffoe. fo Coleby, small communities
strung out along the impressive
when the Danes occupied the
area. ‘Boothby’ is thought to
•
•
Leave gates and property as you find them
Protect plants and animals, and take litter home
Grid reference: SK 985 591.
Please park responsibly. e limestone ridge that is known
as Lincoln Edge. Pick a clear
come from the old Danish word
Bodebi, meaning ‘temporary
• Keep dogs under close control day and the walk will reward shelter’ (‘Graffoe’ was not
• Consider other people Public Transport: The Interconnect bus service runs regularly you with wide horizons and added until the 18th century
between Lincoln and Grantham, stopping at Boothby Graffoe,
spectacular views. and referred to the local
Most of all enjoy your visit to the Coleby and Navenby.
For times call the Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit administrative district).
Lincolnshire countryside Lincoln Edge is part of the long
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/busrailtravel. limestone ridge that runs
Part of this walk follows The
This leaflet is one in a series of walk leaflets produced through England from Yorkshire
Viking Way, a long distance
by Lincolnshire County Council’s Natural Environment Walk length: 4 km (21/2 miles) or 9 km (51/2 miles). to The Cotswolds and the
footpath that runs from the
Team to help you explore and enjoy the county’s At a leisurely pace the walk will take approximately south coast. A steep
banks of the Humber to the
countryside. If you have enjoyed these walks and would 11/4 or 23/4 hours to complete. escarpment lies to the west
shores of Rutland Water, a
like information on other walking routes in Lincolnshire then and leads down to fertile
distance of 147 miles.
please visit our website. Type of walk: The walk uses field paths, tracks and minor roads. agricultural land that is drained
Established in 1976, its name
All easy level walking. It may be muddy in places in wet weather. by the river Witham and its
reflects the influence of the
If you encounter any problems whilst on these walks, such as an tributary, the Brant. To the east
overgrown path or a broken sign post, please let us know so they Danes in the eastern counties
Ordnance Survey maps for the area: Explorer 272 Lincoln. is heathland; here the
can be corrected. of Britain. Look out for the
Landranger 121 Lincoln and Newark-on-Trent. limestone dips gently away
Viking helmet symbol on way
until becoming submerged by
We would also welcome your comments and suggestions on the markers. You will also walk
the Fens.
walk and leaflet to help improve future editions. Refreshments: The Bell Inn and the Tempest Arms in Coleby. along sections of a route that
The King’s Head and the Lion and Royal in Navenby. Numerous Boothby Graffoe is just one of was laid out nearly 2000 years
If you require this leaflet in another format please contact us. shops and takeaways in Navenby. a chain of villages that have ago – the Roman road known
developed along an old ridge as Ermine Street.
Lincolnshire County Council
Natural Environment Team
Tel: 01522 782070 Minicom: 01522 552055
Email: dev_net@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Web: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countryside Published February 2008

A circular walk of 4 or 9 km (21/2 or 51/2 miles)

Boothby Graffoe:Layout 1 12/2/08 08:52 Page 5

The Walk Map & Walk The Walk The Walk

The walk Continue along the path as it 6 Continue northwards along As you walk steadily northwards 6 Turn left at the next junction, 8 Turn right and then cross the
1 Walk down Main Street runs behind some houses. Coleby this wide grass track for beside a cottage, and walk road to reach a footpath sign
Coleby your eyes are drawn to the runway
towards the church at the Go down steps on to a minor approx 11/2 km (just under a along the minor road until it (with the Viking Way symbol).
and giant hangars of RAF
southern end of the village. road. mile) until you reach a junction meets the A607. Cross this Follow the narrow path that is
Waddington. First opened to units
3 Turn left (you leave the Viking 7 with a tarmac road. with extreme care and go bordered by hedges on either
2 Where the road bends to the of the Royal Flying Corps as long
left to rejoin the A607, Way at this point). At the 5 For the SHORTER WALK straight on along Rectory side.
junction with the main road ago as 1916, it was closed after the Road into Coleby village. At a junction of paths take the
continue straight ahead along turn left here and walk along
turn left again and then take 8 Great War and then reopened in right fork that leads back to
a track marked by a footpath the road to the junction with 7 At the junction next to the
sign bearing the Viking Way the first turn immediately on 1926, eventually coming under
church, turn right along the limestone ridge. Carry on
the A607. Cross the main road
symbol. the right (Green Man Road), Bomber Command in 1936. The Farlane. Walk past the pub along the well-worn path for
with care and continue
Follow the track into a field, taking care crossing the busy station was particularly active (Bell Inn) to the end of the approx 1km (just over ½ a
straight ahead into Boothby
passing a pond on your left. road. (To visit the centre of during the Second World War, lane. Turn left along the mile), to the outskirts of
Navenby turn right at the main Graffoe. Turn left at the next Boothby Graffoe.
Continue straight ahead footpath and follow it as it runs

07
junction to return to Main highlighted by the fact that it lost
road.)

A6
towards Navenby, now Street. more bomber aircraft on operations alongside the wall. Turn left 9 On reaching a small copse go
keeping parallel with the 4 After approx 500 m, where over a stile and emerge next to through the gate on your left.
For the LONGER WALK (347) than any other Bomber
ridge and passing woodland High Dyke goes off to the 5 the pub (Tempest Arms). Follow the track that runs
9 cross the road and continue Command station. The large
on your left. right, turn left along a green The lovely old church is dedicated diagonally across the grass
straight ahead along Ermine aircraft that you might see flying
This section provides wonderful lane. to All Saints. The base of the tower paddock to the opposite
Street, now on a tarmac from the station today are part of corner and a house. Go
views. If you turn to face the plain You are now on Ermine Street, a 1 is Saxon or early Norman, whilst the
Boothby surface. At a radio mast, NATO’s Early Warning Force, through another gate and walk
below you may be able to pick out Roman road that linked London to Boothby top, with its battlements and
the remains of Somerton Castle, Lincoln and the Humber. Started in Graffoe
Graffoe 2 where the tarmac road veers carrying out surveillance duties pinnacles, was built in the early along the road to reach Main
about 3 km (2 miles) directly in the first century AD, it is believed to off to the left, keep straight 15th century. The church has an Street and the starting point.
around the world.
front of you. Built in 1281 by be the main route by which the ahead along the track. ornate late Norman doorway and
An information board at the junction
Anthony Bek, later Bishop of Roman army entered this area. chancel arch, and the drum-shaped
font also dates from Norman times. with Castle Lane provides more
Durham, it was given to Edward I There are impressive views here,
information on the village’s history
and remained with the Crown for this time eastwards across Navenby
Navenby and interesting buildings.
over 300 years. Originally a heathland and with the
fortified manor house, one of the Lincolnshire 4
two remaining towers is now joined Wolds in the
to an Elizabethan farmhouse. To distance. 3
the left, in the middle distance, is
the impressive church spire at
Brant Broughton, and further over
to the right you may be able to “Map drawn from aerial photography copyright Lincolnshire County Council and Getmapping PLC.
make out some of the power Lincolnshire County Council reproduced from OS mapping with permission of the controller of Her

stations of the Trent Valley. N Majesty’s Stationery Office (C) Crown Copyright and Unauthorised reproduction infringes
Crown Copyright and may lead to civil proceedings. OS Licence 100025370”