Cycling UK Louth's Summer Camp - Sandringham

Cycling UK Louth’s ‘Summer Camp’ – Sandringham

19th - 23rd July 2023:

Memories of last summer’s camp at Sandringham are still fresh as we can recall the heavy downpours and thunderstorms. Paul declared "never again". However, Paul has subsequently purchased a rather fine Robert Saunders ‘Spacepacker’ tent and he was to join Rob Cook and Tim Newbery on this year’s camping trip to Norfolk.

Day One, Wednesday 19th July 2023.

We had decided to cycle to Sandringham (perhaps rather bravely considering the weather forecast), following a route suggested by Rob. Leaving Louth at 10 am, skies were grey and a little drizzly rain would continue whilst we rode through the Carltons to Alford. Luckily however the wind was blowing in from the northwest so assisted our journey to Burgh le Marsh where refreshments were taken.

Some pleasant sunshine now developed, although it remained rather cool as we continued through the Wainfleets to Friskney where we sat for a rest outside All Saints Church. A lady who exited the church engaged us in conversation and wished us well. Taking lanes which Rob remembered from devising his LCCR route we arrived in Old Leake with a sign outside to Co-Op advertising Costa Coffee. We would have welcomed a cuppa but the machine was unserviceable.

Winds now veered north easterly and we would enjoy a backwind all the way to Boston, meandering through small hamlets with unlikely names such as Leverton Outgate and Leverton Lucasgate. Passing through Butterwick, Freiston and Fishtoft the sunshine gave way to threatening skies and a heavy downpour would catch us just as we cycled along the Haven to our accommodation. 93 km.

Day Two, Thursday 20th July 2023.

A gorgeous sunny morning lifted our spirits and we would initially take the Sustrans NCN Route 1 alongside the River Witham and the harbour. Interesting still to find working fishing boats moored up along the quayside. Winding, narrow marsh lanes would take us through Frampton and Fosdyke where would cross the River Welland. Now a series of Holbeach villages to Lutton where there’s an unusual 12th Century brick church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. One of only six in England having brick arcades.

From here Rob now took us to Long Sutton where he had stayed previously and we searched for a café. The proprietress of Café Retro took us (and all of our bikes) in and served what were advertised as giant tea cakes. We were also informed that a cycling group who were on a two day 350 plus mile ride round Lincolnshire had visited recently and we surmised it had been members from Louth Cycle Club.

The Cross Keys Swing Bridge is a fascinating and historic structure. Built in 1869 it originally served the Midland and Great Northern Railway. The emblem of Wisbeach is the Cross Keys of St Peter. Nearby there’s also a monument to all those who served at RAF Sutton Bridge. In WWII it was a famed training unit, a ‘Top Gun’ school for Hurricane and Spitfire pilots.

After cycling along the old railway line alongside the busy A17 we would then follow the old Lynn Road with its mile stones counting down the distance to go. As we didn’t have to book in at the campsite until after 7 pm, there was plenty of time to spend a while in Kings Lynn itself and we stopped to admire the scenery at the south quay. Marriott’s Warehouse offered refreshment and also some shelter from a passing shower before moving onto The Globe Hotel.

‘Lynn’ is worthy a day or a weekend visit in itself with a wealth of history from once being a small summer harbour market along the banks of the Lin (Lynn) in Domesday through its fortunes when the Bishops of Norwich gave the town wealth and prosperity. It was at that time known as Bishops Lynn. Wanting independence from the church, the town was later granted a charter by King John in 1204 with the name changing to Kings Lynn. We also noted it’s maritime significance with, amongst many others a statue of Captain George Vancouver R.N. who was born in Kings Lynn and would go onto chart the Pacific NW and found Vancouver.

A final leg now to Sandringham through Castle Rising and its historic ruins as well as a rather fine tea rooms. Arriving at the campsite a little before 6 pm we were soon pitching tents with Paul very pleased with his new purchase. Rob also erected an awning which would offer shelter from the wind and any showers. A campsite neighbour then approached us saying that he too was a cyclist and offered charging facilities for any of our electronic devices. It’s a great community. 76 km.

Day Three, Friday 21st July 2023.

Having slept well, Rob would enjoy a breakfast at the tent whilst Tim and Paul pedalled off to The Castle Rising Tearoom for a fry up. Members then opted for separate itineraries with Paul set to enjoy a day in Kings Lynn and a tour of museums and bike shops. Having studied the weather forecast which suggested a scattering of showers, Tim and Rob set off for a ride to Hunstanton via Sedgeford and Ringstead. A brisk north westerly wind was cool once again but in a spell of brilliant sunshine, a sheltered location was found at Great Ringstead where Rob was able to ‘boil up’ for a brew. Groups of cyclists were encountered with a party of about half a dozen calling out cheery greetings of ‘Ola!’ Perhaps Spaniards happy to swap heatwave temperatures of over 40 Degrees Celsius to the forecast 17 degrees here in Norfolk.

Lunch was consumed in one of the town’s cafés overlooking the sea front whilst waiting for a heavy shower to pass over. Departing, we soon needed shelter for a further downpour in the local supermarket. The route back took us along the coast through Heacham (no samphire today) with fine views across to Lincolnshire. Regrouping at the campsite at about 5 pm Tim and Paul would head to Dersingham for supper whilst Rob would conjure up campsite delicacies. Another comfortable night under canvas to follow. 50 km.

Day Four Saturday 22nd July 2023.

The previous days forecast was for steady rain to set in from sometime between 10 am and midday so a decision had been made to strike camp early. An unexpected heavy shower at 7 am however meant that tents were packed away on the wet side. At least we would have an apartment to go to tonight. In the end, it turned dry for our departure about 8 am, delayed slightly to adjust Rob’s rear wheel mudguard rubbing against the tyre. Another fellow camper very kindly offered help and assistance.

We had thought of stopping off at the Farm Shop Café in Walpole St Mary but with the weather set to close in, decided to retrace our outbound route back to Sutton Bridge. We made good time aided by a strong and gusty southerly wind. Still largely dry at Long Sutton we would eventually require full waterproofs by the time we arrived at Holbeach St Marks where we’d meet up once more with Sustrans NCN Route 1. From here wet, very wet all the way to Frampton when out of the mist Paul spotted the unmistakable tower of St Botolph's Church. Remarkably the rest of the afternoon remained largely dry with time before booking into the accommodation for coffee and cake at the White Hart Hotel. 66 km.

Day Five Sunday 23rd July 2023.

Sunday morning and against all the forecasts the day dawned dry, bright and warm. Weather warnings for heavy persistent rain and flooded roads had been issued but in the end it was a pleasant journey back through Freiston, Butterwick and along to Wainfleet Saint Mary where Paul’s mother once taught at the local school. Too early for the pubs in Wainfleet All Saints to be open, we stopped instead for a picnic lunch at the clocktower, a plaque proclaiming the anniversary of the town’s charter of incorporation in 1457 when the town was a busy port.

Paul also took us to Barkham Street. In the 18th Century much of Wainfleet was owned by Sir Edward Barkham, of the East India Company. On Sir Edward’s death his estates were transferred to Bethlem Royal Hospital in London. By the 1840’s some of Wainfleet’s housing was in a poor state of repair and the consulting architect to the Bethlem Hospital in London, Sydney Smirke, was asked to design some new housing in Wainfleet. This fine parade of houses was built in 1847 and is very similar to terraces that stood in Southwark near the Bethlem Royal Hospital.

Paul would then buy us all a barista coffee at the Duck and Drake at Catchwater Meadow before continuing through Orby and Sloothby to Alford where Rob and Tim would bid farewell, to carry on their own journey back to Louth.

Rob on this occasion wouldn’t take the route through the Carltons but instead headed for the ‘Royal Oak’ at Little Cawthorpe for a celebratory pint. Many thanks to Rob. All signs of the ‘Emma Jayne’ Bikeathon had been cleared away but we hoped that participants had enjoyed the ride. 84 km.

Total distance 390 km (243 miles).