Little Bytham – Creeton – Little Bytham
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Going: Easy good ground through open and wooded land on generally well-maintained paths.
Start: The Spinney Woodland Playspace, Creeton Road, Little Bytham.
1. Leave The Spinney and turn right towards Little Bytham.
2. Take the first track on the left at the bridleway sign 75m before the 30 mph sign onto Park Lane. Follow this wide track up the hill and onto the cross roads just before the house and barn.
3. Do not carry on up Chestnut Avenue. Instead, take the path to the right opposite the house, following the yellow route marker. Walk past the now empty site of the “New Buildings” and turn left after the site at the footpath sign. Half way along this stretch, after leaving Kennel Plantation, you will pass through a metal barrier.
Ignore the Grimsthorpe route signs pointing to the left, instead, carry straight on all the way to the concrete road.
4. Turn left onto the concrete road and left again at the next track heading for Elsea Wood. Follow the path around the wood, over the stile at Pebble Gate onto Steel’s Riding. Remember to look right at Chestnut Avenue for a view of Grimsthorpe Castle. There is a large felled tree along this path that makes a half-decent table for your flask and sandwich box.
Carry on along this track crossing a couple of stiles until you reach the west end of the small triangular wood.
5. Turn left onto the narrow track following the hedge line on a gentle curve towards Creeton.
6. A quick right/left following the path keeping the hedge line on your left.
7. Climb over the stile before the end of the field and turn right onto the road. Follow the road through Creeton, turning left onto the main road to Little Bytham. The tarmac footpath starts on the left and criss-crosses all the way back to The Spinney.