June Walks Giveaway: Fosdyke Bridge & the River Welland, Lincs

This walk is reproduced from our popular walking book 'Guide to Lincolnshire Pub Walks'

📥 To download this walk and take it with you, click here!

FOSDYKE BRIDGE & THE RIVER WELLAND

Distance: 5.5 miles 

WALK HIGHLIGHTS

The Fens is a traditionally flat and marshy region in Lincolnshire. Most of the fens were drained centuries ago, resulting in a series of drainage channels and man-made rivers and dykes. This walk shows a prettier side to what one may expect, and it is a great introduction to the fens. The riverside walk along the Macmillan Way takes you to quiet country lanes and crosses arable fields before following the leafy footpath back. 

RECOMMENDED PUB (in case you’re reading this in the future, when pubs are open again) 

The Ship Inn, Fosdyke Bridge. This dog-friendly pub has a cosy atmosphere inside and serves good food in a friendly environment.

HOW TO GET THERE & PARKING

From Holbeach take the A17 north to Fosdyke Bridge. Parking is available for patrons at the Ship Inn on the southern bank of the river.

There is roadside parking available north of the river beyond the Fosdyke Yacht Haven. Sat nav PE20 2DD.

THE WALK 

1. From the Ship Inn, turn right and cross the bridge. Pass Fosdyke Yacht Haven and turn right by the bridleway sign following the grassy bank which runs alongside the yacht harbour. At the end of this track you reach a hamlet of houses. Turn right, through the gate with the waymarkers and begin to walk alongside the River Welland on the Macmillan Way.

2. This section of the Macmillan Way is 2¾ miles long and passes typical Fen landscapes. This raised path has views of arable fields on your left and the river gradually bears away towards the Fosdyke Wash. It is a good area to watch birds and wildlife.

3. The path reaches the end by Kirton Marsh pumping station, where there is a public footpath sign. Continue ahead, over the stile and leave the Macmillan Way. Follow the flat path towards a fence at the end. Climb the stile and turn left at the footpath.

4. Pass a white farmhouse and follow the track as it curves round, passing a large barn where you bear right onto a farm track. Continue to follow this track until you reach a T-junction and bear right.

5. At the end of this track, walk past the farmhouse, leaving by the white barrier. Turn left onto Low Mill Lane, following the signpost for Fosdyke.

6. After ½ mile, leave the lane on the bend and turn left, where there is a footpath sign. Walk between two hedgerows until you reach an opening into an arable field. Turn right, keeping the hedge line on your right.

7. At the end of this field, you reach a track on a bend. Cross it and continue ahead where the path gradually begins to bear left. Continue until you reach a white metal gate on your left by a footpath sign. Climb the raised bank here to follow it. This first section of footpath may seem overgrown in places. If so, you can walk along the track for a few metres where there is a secondary path trodden down by walkers.

8. Continue to follow this marked footpath back towards Fosdyke Bridge. At the end of this first footpath, you reach a track. Bear right, cross the track, and after 10m go straight back onto the footpath on your left.

9. Continue to follow this footpath which eventually comes out at an opening beside the River Welland where you started. Follow the path back to the gate and turn left, following the track that runs behind a series of houses. At the end is the busy A17, turn left and walk towards the Ship Inn. 

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