Viking Way
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Viking Way is a long distance footpath running 235 kilometers between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland. The Countryside Commission recognised the significance of the Viking Way as a high quality long distance walk linking other major routes in Eastern England, these are the Yorkshire Wolds Way at the northern end, the Hereward and Macmillan Ways from Oakham and indirectly via the Hereward Way, the Jurassic Way from Stamford and the southern end of the Peddars Way from Thetford. Many pre-historic settlements were established on dry ground in the Lincolnshire Wolds and on the Limestone Heath. Sites of early settlements will be passed on the route. From the 9th century there is evidence that the Vikings were exercising their influence over the county. This is evident in the place names (ending in “by”), Scandinavian names recorded in documents and also names marked on coins.
Historically, Lincolnshire was extensively grazed by sheep on the grassland, heath and fen. Wool was a major component of the Lincolnshire economy in the medieval period.
[edit] Route
The walk passes along the Lincolnshire Wolds through Caistor down to Woodhall Spa. It follows the River Witham into Lincoln, then runs parallel to the A607 through Bracebridge Heath and Waddington along the Lincoln Cliff, then follows the old Ermine Street. It meets the A607 again at Carlton Scroop, then passes through Marston and Long Bennington. It was extended to Long Bennington in 1997 to allow walkers to cross the A1 on a roadbridge, as previously they were obliged to cross the road directly, near Foston. It no longer goes through Allington, and crosses the A52 near Sedgebrook. It then follows what used to be called Sewstern Lane, passing Saltby Airfield and Buckminster, then goes through Sewstern and Thistleton. It passes close to RAF Cottesmore and goes through Greetham and Exton. It meets the A606 and Hereward Way at Whitwell, then passes through the two watersports centres on Rutland Water at Whitwell and Barnsdale. From here it follows the A606 into Oakham.
[edit] External links
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