Hagworthingham 31st May 2026

HAGWORTHINGHAM

Cycling UK Louth’s Sunday ride to Hagworthingham 31st May 2026.

The final day of ‘Spring’ and a forecast of a very pleasant 21 Degrees Celsius, albeit with the chance of a shower or two later in the afternoon.

Turning up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Steve Croton, John Rickett, Ty Harness, Tim Newbery (on the Bianchi Sempre) and Rob Cook, making a welcome return to the group. John Parish had planned to meet us at the Bluestone Heath Road with the possibility seeing Alan Hockham en-route, somewhere.

The last time the club had visited Hagworthingham was back in November 2025, Tim on that occasion waving off the assembled crowd from the Leisure Centre as he was still ‘walking wounded’.

A slow(ish) climb along the Goulceby Road, past "la colline de Withcall" with a welcome water break taken at the junction with the Bluestone Heath Road. As advertised, John Parish arrived at roughly the same time. Perfect co-ordination.

Now for a pleasant undulating ride along this ancient droving road, passing Rowgate Hill, Gaumer Hill, Rosin Hill and Belchford Hill, Tim a backmarker by this stage but with the opportunity to take a few photographs of the sweeping scenic views of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Turning off the Bluestone Heath Road at Tetford Hill, a fast decent to the River Lymn was enjoyed by some with John and Steve taking the lead. We’d follow the river all the way through to Somersby, birthplace of Alfred Lord Tennyson. Tennyson spent the first 28 years of his life here in Somersby, the River Lymn which flows out to sea at Gibraltar Point inspiring Tennyson to write one of his best known poems, The Brook; ”I chatter, chatter, as I flow to join the brimming river, for men may come and men may go, but I go on forever”.

By now we had the company of Alan Hockham and arriving at JJ’s Café at Hagworthingham we were delighted to meet up with Paul Linder who had been busy for a week or two with housework duties to perform. Refreshments and pack-ups were taken at the outside tables, the weather surprisingly fine, warm and sunny. No sign yet of the forecast showers so John Parish made his way home from here. Paul opted for a more direct route home via Aswardby as he’d planned to visit St Helen’s Church, famed for the imprisonment of its priest in 1876.

Rob made a head start with a regrouping arranged at Harrington Hill. Although we hadn’t been pedalling for too long since lunch, Tim had requested another coffee stop at the Sheep Dip Paddock to take advantage of complimentary hot drinks and Lotus ‘Biscoff’ biscuits. He can’t resist!

Alan’s turn now to head for home with remaining members enjoying a straightforward ride along the 'Top Road' to Meagram. The origin of this place name remains obscure but probably derives from Old English meaning 'island'.

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre about a quarter to two. Distance covered 36 miles. Having missed out on final refreshments at the Leisure Centre for a few weeks, we padlocked our bikes outside as has now been requested by Magna Vitae and John kindly procured the drinks. Thanks John.

Tim’s ‘Relive Video: https://www.relive.com/view/v4OGrG7ep5v