Horncastle Hilly

Cycling UK Louth ‘mini’ group ride to Horncastle and Baumber

Sunday 26th July 2020

“Sunday would be the best day of the weekend” the weather forecasters had promised and after a wet and stormy Saturday, Sunday did indeed dawn bright and sunny. Quite a brisk westerly wind however which would make the outward journey a little more challenging.

Jason Bartup would be our main Ride Leader for today’s ride to Horncastle and Baumber, a route designed to take in the delights of some new venues for the club. Meeting up at the Meridian Leisure Centre (which unexpectedly was closed today) were Jason Bartup, John Rickett, Rob Cook, Rob Whitworth, Alan Hockham, Reg Bagshaw and Tim Newbery. Chris had opted for a quiet ride with Ying and John Ambler wasn’t feeling 100 percent so had decided on taking a day off, resting at home.

A familiar route to Raithby and a climb up to the Bluestone Heath Road and Cold Harbour Farm. With Reg’s ‘dodgy’ ankle likely to cause some grief, he decided to head back home at this point. For the rest of us, having become increasingly warm after the ascent, a swift descent down Red Hill cooled us all down and for once a turn to the south was made to take us through Asterby. Jason pointed out the church which was dedicated to St Peter, but sadly no longer open to the public, having been sold into private ownership.

With birdsong ringing in our ears, we enjoyed the ride along the Green Lane towards Hemmingby. Jason is familiar with the village as he has completed the “Lindsey Trail Cycle Route” which runs through here. The interpretation board details some fascinating history. The village is recorded as ‘Hamingebi’ in the Domesday Book, from the Old Scandanavian Hemingr+by or “farmstead of a man named “Hemingr”. It remains in the heart of an agricultural landscape even today.

Our next stop would be at Horncastle Golf Course, kindly arranged by Jason. A new venue for us but host Lisa made us all very welcome and special thanks go to John Rickett for treating everyone to a hot drink and a bacon bap. The bacon baps were first class and would undoubtedly have passed John Ambler’s strict marking scheme. Definitely worth a return visit and there’s now a new menu on offer (the Sunday Lunches are legendary).

With Baumber Walled Gardens not opening till 1 pm, time for a brief stop-over in Horncastle and a visit to the newly opened bike shop “Just One More Bike”. Jason would discover that he knew co-owner Paul from his days at RAF Conigsgby. It’s a small world. Although the in-shop café isn’t officially open yet, Rob Whitworth treated a number of members to another cup of coffee (Rob enjoyed a late!).

Jason had intended for us to pay our respects at the Horncastle War Memorial but there was a veteran’s picnic in full wing so we moved on to cross the Old River Bain to Thornton. North and west now through Wispington and Minting to join the A158 for a short section to take us to Baumber Walled Gardens, arriving a few minutes after 1 pm. Perfect timing. Glorious parkland of the Stourton Estates and superb views of a herd of Red deer. The Walled Gardens themselves date to the nineteenth-century, once belonging to the former Stourton Hall. The hall, built in 1768 by the Duke of Newcastle originally stood in a woodland park of 50 acres. The Hall was eventually demolished in 1953 but much of the parkland survives and is managed to raise red deer for venison. At the Walled Gardens there’s also a thriving café! Their events diary boasts “Bikes and BBQ” on Saturday 5th September.

The only downside of this venue is on exit, a short distance on the busy Horncastle is necessitated before retreating to the quiet more tranquil lanes northbound to Sotby. A little further on at Goulceby, John Rickett opted for a return to Louth and home via Red Hill forgoing a final refreshment stop at Jenny Wards Shop in Donington-on-Bain. Thanks to Jason for the round of drinks at to Rob Whitworth for the apple pies. Replete (and with Rob Cook having polished off his picnic lunch) a final push for home and a climb up to the Blustone Heath Road once more. Stunning views of Stenigot Mast which in itself is 350 ft high. This too has a fascinating history being part of the WWII Chain Home Radar network. Stenigot was one of 20 sites along the east coast of Britain which had been chosen as "Advanced" stations by September 1937.

Back to Louth having completed 46 miles. Many thanks to Jason for the route and helping to lead and to all for the generous provision of refreshments. Good to see Rob Whitworth climbing those hills again!

A grand day out with visits to some new venues.

Next Sunday, a flatter route, perhaps to Mablethorpe and afternoon refreshments at the Pop-Up café at Northolme Farm, Alvingham (there’s new signage to help find the café!).