Old Bolingbroke Castle

Cycling UK Louth ‘mini' club Ride

Sunday 12th July 2020

Having endured two weeks of very indifferent summer weather (near gale force winds on both the previous Sundays) it was heartening to see the forecast resolutely foretell fine conditions. Light winds and with temperatures rising to 20 Degrees Celsius.

The last few club rides had followed the coastal plains but there had been requests for a ‘Hilly’ ride across the Wolds. Sadly, the Café at Wickenby Aerodrome is closed until further notice so Tim devised a route to Hagworthingham instead. JJ’s Café has promised to be open and used to be a favourite morning coffee stop for the club in days gone by. We would then aim to have a picnic lunch at Old Bolingbroke Castle.

Meeting up at Louth’s Cattle Market were Tim Newbery, John Rickett, John Ambler and Reg Bagshaw. Rob Cook had sent apologies as he would be returning to his LCCR cycle ride. Rob Whitworth had agreed to accompany him for the start of today’s leg to Boston along with Alan Hockham. Chris Owen had also sent apologies as he had decided on swim instead. Costa del Cleethorpes would apparently resemble the Mediterranean today. Jason Bartup was working today!

So, at 10 am Cycling UK Louth’s ‘mini’ group set off for the journey, heading west past Hubbard’s Hills and climbing up to the Bluestone Heath road via Raithby. Pleasant sunshine and temperatures rising to 17 degrees Celsius. Gorgeous. The ancient trackway of the Bluestone Heath Road is popular for cyclists, motorbikes and touring cars and all were taking advantage of the summer like conditions.

Great progress towards Tetford Hill, John Ambler even turning off the battery (we hoped he wouldn’t regret that decision later on). Time to admire the scenic views of the Lincolnshire Wolds, truly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the coastal resorts which hopefully would be able to take advantage of the summer tourists.

A fast descent into Tetford Village and at this point we were passed a second time by a 1925 Bentley. After a pleasant chat with the owners we would also bid farewell to Reg. He has been suffering from a ‘wonky ankle’ and he had decided for a more direct route home.

Down now to three and our next stop, The Old Rectory at Somersby. Famous of course for being the birthplace of Alfred Tennyson (Poet Laureate). He was born and brought up in Somersby, the son of the rector. When he wrote The Babbling Brook he was referring to a small stream here.

Continuing through Bag Enderby (wonderful village names with links to the time of Danish Law), a turn to the south took us to Hagworthingham and time for a well-deserved rest at JJ’s café. Hardly a soul and plenty of room to sit ‘socially distanced' on the outside tables. Tim gives thanks to John Rickett for the coffee and to John Ambler for the delightful bacon bap. John Rickett also enjoyed a very generous slice of cake, great value at just one pound. The young guys serving us also worked hard to follow all the guidelines. Well worth a return visit.

After checking up on available battery power, John Ambler decided on continuing onto Old Bolingbroke Castle just a few miles further on. Arriving as the skies became increasingly blue and we all enjoyed a fine rest and a chance to explore this English Heritage site, rich in history. It is thought that originally there was a Saxon fortification here in the 6th or 7th Century but much of what can be seen today are the ruins of the Castle built in the 1220’s by Ranulph de Blundevil, Earl of Chester and Lincoln after his return from the Crusades. The castle eventually passed to the house of Lancaster in 1311 and John of Gaunt was the last to have lived here. John of Gaunt’s son, King Henry IV was born here in 1366 and it became a Royal Castle when Henry succeeded to the throne in 1399. However, the castle was never used as a royal residence and Henry IV never returned to visit. By the time of the Civil War the castle was in decay but it was briefly held by Royalist troops until the Parliamentary victory in 1643 at the ‘Battle Of Winceby’, just three miles to the north. The Parliamentary troops slighted the castle, robbing much of the stonework which was made of Spilsby Greenstone - a porous poor-quality limestone.

With history oozing through our pores, time to move on and head back on our return journey. Firstly, a bit of a push up and out of the village to Mavis Enderby (love these names) and the undulating narrow lanes through the River Lymn Valley. More hills at Langton and a sharp rise at Fordington where we passed by the visible ‘lumps and bumps’ of the Deserted Medieval Village, just one of the numerous such former settlements in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Though Ulceby, a short section of the A1104 and finally a turn to the NE towards Rigsby. Not many know of the presence of the parish church of St James tucked away besides some holiday cottages, one of the smallest parish churches in Lincolnshire. The Rigsby family built the first Norman church here prior to 1086, constructed of chalk with a thatched roof. The lands were ‘acquired’ by William the Conqueror and given to his half-brother Bishop Odo of Bayeux. What can be seen today largely dates from 1863.

A familiar route through South Thorseby (sadly no watercress on sale at the farm besides Belleau Bridge) and onward to Meagram Top where we bade farewell to John Rickett. That left Tim and John Ambler to return to Louth, John pleasantly surprised at how much of his battery supply he had left. Just hope his knees would recover from the aches!

Many thanks to all for a super day out in the Lincolnshire Wolds. For the Louth contingent a little over 42 miles (about 50 for John Rickett) and a very respectable total altitude gained of nearly 2500 FT.

ETA back to Louth 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm, ended up at 3.30 pm!

Top temperature 20 Degrees Celsius, just as forecast.

A flatter ride next week!