Viking Wolds View Cycle Route
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Distance
- 24.6 ml
- Duration
- 1.15 hr
- Ascent
- 692 ft
- Descent
- 691 ft
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this circular cycling route takes you down sleepy hedgerow-lined lanes that wind through the bucolic North Lincolnshire countryside, still undiscovered by many.
The route encompasses the Humber Estuary, with its rich variety of habitats, the rolling hills of the northern Wolds, Elsham Hall’s spectacular park and gardens, and the architectural gem that is Thornton Abbey.
Route Highlights
Thornton Abbey
Marvel at this medieval abbey’s impressive two-storey, fortified gatehouse – the largest in England. Its extravagant design reflects its history as a prestigious house for Augustinians, a religious order in the Catholic Church, and their involvement in the area’s prosperous wool trade.
North Lincolnshire Wolds
This idyllic corner of England, with its tapestry of gently undulating hills, hidden green valleys and charming stone villages runs parallel to the North Sea from the Humber Estuary. Its varied landscape, rich in flora and fauna, is a haven for an array of wildlife.
Elsham Hall Gardens and Country Park
A place for the whole family to enjoy; the grounds incorporate an adventure playground, sweeping lakeside gardens and a spectacular four acre walled garden, which has recently been re-landscaped. Dotted with sculptures and overflowing with flowers from spring until autumn, the gardens include a sensory section, paddocks, aviaries, and a guinea pig village. The country park is also a hub for the arts, holding regular events throughout the year.