Spring Camp Wing Hall Rutland

Early weather forecasts had suggested showery rain but it would remain dry, if cool and rather cloudy.

Arriving at Wing on the Wednesday, there was plenty of time to explore this small village, perched up at a little over 400 ft (123 m) overlooking the River Charter. Rutland is certainly an area of ‘rolling’ hills and there are plenty of attractive lanes winding their way through a magnificent rural landscape. 

 

Wing, dating to the 9th Century, is famed for its Labyrinth or Maze. It’s cut out of turf and it's reputed to be of Medieval origin and is one of only eight turf cut mazes left in Britain. Wing Hall where the campsite is located was built between 1885 - 1891 by Edward Worrall, a Victorian gentleman whose family made its fortune developing a technique for dyeing velvet.

 

Thursday morning started grey and chilly and so after pouring over maps, Tim Newbery and Mike Housley decided on a route that would allow refreshment to be taken at Uppingham, before continuing to the famed Harringworth Viaduct. This would be Mike’s first cycling experience in the area. 

 

Initially a ride through the attractive village of Preston with its honey-coloured iron stone cottages, many of which are thatched. Mike noted that the iron stone bricks are of a darker, richer colour than the more yellowed hues of the Cotswold stone.

 

Whilst watching a number of pairs of Red Kite soaring overhead, we came to an abrupt halt at the bottom of the hill near Ayston. Mike swiftly and expertly had the rear wheel removed and the offending punctured tube replaced.

 

Soon enough we arrived in Uppingham, notable perhaps for its public school with former pupils to include Sir Malcolm Campbell, Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson. More pressing thoughts focussed on where to enjoy a coffee and wash oil-stained hands and Tim guided Mike to Dom Paddy’s. Perfect to enjoy a cuppa and to warm up, temperatures having barely risen to double digits. 

 

Replete a continuation of our ride which would take us through Lyddington; more thatched cottages with stonework having changed in character to a more yellow, rusty orange. Picture perfect. Fun too passing figures of cats and dogs on the apex of the thatched rooves. No time to visit Bede House (English Heritage) but this former medieval Bishop of Lincoln’s Palace, was seized by Henry VIII in 1547 following on from the act of dissolution. 

 

On reaching River Welland, Tim had promised Mike a fine, majestic view of the valley. However, the bridge was under repair and we were politely but firmly turned around by the workforce necessitating a detour to Harringworth via Thorpe by Water.

 

Finally, over the river from Rutland to Northamptonshire to Harringworth and time to take a rest and admire the splendours of Victorian railway architecture. The Welland Viaduct is over a kilometre long and has 82 arches each of which has a 12 metre span. Built in 1876-8, it’s the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the UK and contains 30 million bricks, all locally made with kilns built in the valley, Around 3,000 men were employed in its construction and talking to a local villager who was on a walk, she informed us that her grandfather supplied the navvies and families with their meat supply. Apparently, there was never any trouble in payment but fights outside the pubs were frequent.

 

Passing the Medieval Market Cross (erected in 1387 by Lord Zouche, the village being granted ‘the liberty of a yearly fair on the eve of Saint John the Baptist' and a weekly Tuesday Market) Tim and Mike would cross over the River Welland at Wakerley and back into Rutland. An ascent of a number of hills to another picture-perfect village of South Luffenham.

 

Last leg now and a tail wind helped a return all the way to Wing, arriving at the campsite by 3 pm. Time for tea, coffee and croissants. Many thanks to Mike for accompanying Tim on the 22 mile ride. By now, thankfully the sun was breaking through the cloud canopy and temperatures had risen to 14 Degrees Celsius. 

 

Campsite cooking once more as the campsite café and local pub have closed permanently. A glorious sunset compensated and listening to the weather forecast, a clear night ahead would lead to a widespread slight frost. Indeed, waking up on Friday morning, peering out of the tent flaps, hoar frost glistened in the early morning sun. Time to strike camp and return home.