Manthorpe – Wilsthorpe - Braceborough - Manthorpe
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Going: Easy going – and pretty easy to follow either clockwise or anti-clockwise.
Start: Manthorpe by the telephone box.
1. Walk NE along the pavement through the village keeping the main road on your left. As the main road turns sharp left, go straightahead following the road to the right towards Wilsthorpe.
2. On entering Wilsthorpe, take first right towards Braceborough.
3. Follow the road into Braceborough and take the right first right, signposted Spa Road. Walk along this pleasant and almost vehicle-free road until you reach the “Private” road sign. Do not be confused by this sign. The private road is the continuation of Spa Road to the right. Our route is straight ahead onto the track to the right of the farm ahead.
4. Keep the fence line and the farm on your left. At the end of the fence line, head straight ahead on towards the top of the field. This is the only point in the walk that, when wet, you can find yourself picking up a couple of kilos of mud on your boots.
5. At the top of the field, turn to the right to cross the footbridge then left again to continue on the track keeping the hedge line on your right.
6. At the end of this track, you will see a metal gate leading into an enclosed field at Bowthorpe Farm. Go through the gate and head diagonally left across the field leaving the field at the far-left corner through another metal gate. Descend the track into Bowthorpe farmyard, go past the sheds and take the farm track to the left in front of the sheds.
Look for the gate opposite the middle shed that leads down towards the footbridge over the river. This gate is normally secured with a length of baler band. Untie the gate and pass through. Please remember to fasten it properly again behind you.
Carefully walk down the slope keeping the fence on your right.
Cross the footbridge and head up the hill generally heading slightly to the right. At the top of the hill, keep close to the fence on your right and leave the field at the style. You are now back in Manthorpe. Turn right and walk back to the telephone box.