Alford to Spilsby Cycle Route
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Distance
- 12.2 ml
- Duration
- 0.40 hr
- Ascent
- 395 ft
- Descent
- 270 ft
Picturesque and steeped in history, our Three Towns Cycling routes are relatively f lat, easy rides along quiet rural roads. Between them they take in the towns of Alford, Spilsby and Wainfleet All Saints, leading them to be collectively known as the Three Town Rides.
This beautiful route links the historic towns of Alford and Spilsby, along quiet country roads.
Route Highlights
Alford
This attractive market town, set in beautiful countryside at the foot of the Wolds, is an excellent base for cyclists and walkers. Alford Craft Market offers an extensive events programme throughout the year, including the Whitsun and August Bank Holiday Craft Markets held in the grounds of Alford Manor House. The town’s prosperous past is evident in its many fine buildings, which include the thatched Manor House, a visitor attraction (museum, exhibitions, gardens & tea room). Adjacent to the Manor House is the ‘Museum of Rural Life’ where you can explore local artefacts, dating back over 300 years. There is a good choice of bed and breakfasts and hotels in Alford, as well as a variety of restaurants and cafes, and arts and antique shops.
Farlesthorpe, Bonthorpe and surrounding area
Scattered farms and a few houses form these hamlets. In Farlesthorpe, St. Andrew’s Church, built in 1800, is approached through Glebe Farm. South of Cumberworth Road is an area of Bronze Age burial mounds called Butterbump. This charming name was inspired by the local name for the bittern, the elusive marsh bird that, in years gone by, was hunted for food.
Willoughby
Although there are indications that there was a settlement here in the Bronze Age, St. Helena’s Church dates from the 14th century. Built with local green sandstone, one of its windows portrays events in the life of John Smith, who was baptised here in 1580. He went on to become President of Virginia after his life was saved by Pocahontas.
Hoplands Wood
Hoplands Wood is an example of the woods, dominated by oak and ash trees, that once covered the marshland of east Lincolnshire. These trees thrive in the moisture retentive, calcareous boulder clay soils, and the pervading dampness produces an abundance of ferns and mosses, as well as other traditional woodland plants. Wildlife abounds and the woods teem with a wide variety of birds. The reserve lies just below the eastern edge of the Wolds, partly in the chalk valley of Burlands Beck. There are waymarked walking trails, as well as a public footpath that crosses part of the reserve.