Viking Way 05 - Donington on Bain to Horncastle

This section traverses the southwest wolds before descending the valley of the River Waring to Horncastle. Here the Viking Way finally leaves the Wolds.

13.5 miles (21.5 kilometres)

1. Leave Donington on Bain via the public footpath opposite the church and next to the school. Follow the path along field edges for approx. 0.75 miles (1.2km) to reach a disused railway line.  Cross the railway line and continue along the track for approx 300m.
2. At a junction of tracks turn left, onto a permissive path, passing woods and crossing a field to reach a road.
3. Turn right and follow the road for approx 550m.
4. Turn left onto a public footpath.  Cross the bridge and walk ahead to a fingerpost in the field and then bear left up the slope.  At the top of the slope bear right to a gate and stile in the hedge ahead.  Follow the track into Goulceby, passing the old cemetery of All Saints church, to a road.
5. Turn left and then take the first right and the next left onto Butt Lane.  After approx 200m turn right onto Shop Lane. 
6. At the T-junction carry straight on along the public footpath, across a field, through a wood and on beside a stream to a road.
7. Turn right and then left to continue beside the stream.  Follow the path beside the stream to a road (A153). 
8. Cross the road with care and continue along the footpath to a road and Scamblesby village. Turn right and at the junction turn left (signed Burwell).  At the junction of Mill Lane and Chapel Lane continue straight on along Mill Lane (a no through road). 
9. At the end of the lane bear right onto a track and public footpath.  Follow the track for approx.  0.5 miles (750m) to a gate.  Cross the field to a gate at the left hand edge of the wood ahead. 
10. Continue ahead along the path, cross a track and continue ahead between two hedges.  Cross a bridge on the right, turn left, and follow the path around field edge, across a paddock to a road and Belchford village.
11. Turn left along the road into the village and turn right onto Dams Lane (just past the pub).  Continue along the lane as it becomes a track.
12. Turn left onto the public footpath.  Cross a stream, turn right and follow the path around the field edge. At the top of the slope at a junction with a track, turn right and follow the track as it bends left and becomes a path along the edge of an arable field.  
13. At the top of the slope, and at the field corner, turn left and follow the path along the right hand side of the hedge and then across grass fields to a road and Fulletby village.
14. Turn left and then take the third right, follow the road round to the left and at the T-junction turn right. Follow the road straight ahead for approx. 0.5 miles (750 m) to a junction with a no through road.
15. Turn left and follow bridleway past a farm and along a track to a hedge. Follow the well signed field edge bridleway for approx two miles (3km) to a road.
16. Turn right and follow the road towards Horncastle for approx 0.75 miles (1.2km) to the  edge of the town.
17. Turn left onto a public footpath behind houses. At the road turn left and at the crossroads go straight over.  At first T-junction turn left and at second turn right.
18. At the crossroads continue straight ahead along High Street to the Market Square.

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Route map Viking Way 5A
Route map Viking Way 5B
Route map Viking Way 5C

• Refreshments: Goulceby, Scamblesby, Belchford and Horncastle

• Old railway: After leaving Donington on Bain you will cross the old Bardney to Louth railway line.  The line between Barney and South Willingham opened in 1874 and was extended to Donington On Bain in 1875 and to Louth in 1876.  The whole line closed to passengers in 1951 and to freight between 1956 and 1960.
• Neolithic earthworks: As you leave Scamblesby you will see the unusual looking Juicetrump Hill on your left.  Once thought to be a Neolithic long barrow it is in fact a type of limestone outcrop called roachstone.  Since it is harder than the surrounding rock it weathers more slowly leaving this wedge-shaped mound. 
• Horncastle is a thriving market town in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
• The Joseph Banks garden is a tribute to Sir Joseph's interest in botany.