Huttoft Beach and Alford 27th May 2026

Cycling UK Louth’s Wednesday Wander to Huttoft Beach and Alford 27th May 2026:

Having had record breaking May temperatures on the Bank Holiday Monday in excess of 32 Degrees Celsius, today would be by contrast considerably cooler (temperatures on the coast even a little below the seasonal average) courtesy of a brisk easterly wind.  

Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were John Rickett and Tim Newbery. Alan Hockham and John Parish were due to rendezvous en-route.

A route through Stewton and Legbourne would soon have us on our way to Woodthorpe. The east or northeast wind was indeed pretty brisk but we were pleasantly surprised to see gliders being prepared for launch as we passed Strubby North Airfield with thermals just evident in the increasingly bright skies.

By now we had met up with Alan and found John waiting for us near Beesby and so with four of us, a steady ride into the wind to Sutton le Marsh to connect with Huttoft Bank, an amazingly well surfaced minor road.  We had time to view National Trust’s new Café being built at Sandilands Nature Reserve with another month or two’s work before completion by the looks of it.

Not far now to the Vista at the Boatshed where outdoor seats were all fully occupied. A table inside was however available and we enjoyed suitable refreshment. All very pleasant in increasingly sunny skies although the beach weather station was registering only 14 Degrees Celsius. We could have done without the air conditioning unit being directly overhead the table. Chilly!

The strong easterly winds were in our favour for the next leg to Alford and a brisk pace was set along Roman Bank to Anderby Creek, before weaving our way through Thurlby and bidding farewell to Alan.

Arriving into Alford with time to spare for a final cuppa, we noted Vintage at Hart’s Tea Room was open, a cyclist from Louth’s Brown Cow based ‘Buckaroos’ already sitting on the bench by the bus shelter enjoying its fine fayre. John kindly purchased tea and coffee for all, whilst enquiring of the lovely lady serving; is this a vintage clothing shop selling coffee and cake or a tea room selling vintage clothing? Both was the reply. The said lady soon appeared at our bench with a tray of pots and cups of tea and coffee, served in the finest of richly patterned china.

Under blue skies and warm sunshine, we couldn’t help but notice the inscription on the building opposite “MECHANICS' INSTITUTE AD 1854”. This institute was the product of the Industrial Revolution which had created the demand for a workforce to manage its machinery, to tend, repair and improve the increasingly complex mechanisation. The building in Alford was funded by public subscription and philanthropic benefactors (the fund for the erection of the building was raised by shares of £5 each) and it provided education for the working class through its extensive library and lecture hall for learning and betterment. An educational and social hub all in one.

Replete, time to stir ourselves and make our way to Claythorpe where John Parish would hangar left to head south towards South Thoresby and South Ormsby for a journey back to Horncastle, whilst Tim and John Rickett would take a northbound route to Muckton and Little Cawthorpe on the ‘Top Road’.

Arrived back in Louth before 2 pm with Tim having covered 42 miles (both John’s clocking up considerably more). Tim’s garden weather station recording a very respectable 17 Degrees Celsius.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vmqXzgoP1LO