Belchford

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Belchford is a small village of about 200 inhabitants situated in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England, about 11 km (7 miles) north of Horncastle and just to the east of the A153 road.

1 History
2 Location
3 The Blue Bell Inn
4 Events
- 4.1 Belchford Downhill Challenge
5 South Wold Hunt
6 External links

[edit] History

The village history dates back to ancient times connected with the Romans and the Vikings. During the Reformation of the English Christian church, in 1536, the vicar of Belchford was hanged, drawn and quartered for treason, after leading a rebellion against the crown.

[edit] Location

The steep hills and deep valleys which surround the village are always a surprise to the numerous walkers and other visitors who come from outside, as Lincolnshire has a reputation for being flat. However, Belchford lies in the Lincolnshire Wolds, which are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, running from Louth in the north, to Horncastle in the south. This makes it a popular destination for ramblers, as well as hang-gliders who use the ridges from the Bluestone Heath Road to launch into the valley.

The Viking Way a nationally recognised long distance footpath passes through Belchford by the Blue Bell Inn, on its way from the Humber in the north to Rutland in the south.

[edit] The Blue Bell Inn

The village is served by the Blue Bell Inn, which has been trading for hundreds of years. It is now home to a well renowned restaurant, as well as a friendly bar area, which serves a number of local brews as well as the more well known beers.

[edit] Events

[edit] Belchford Downhill Challenge

The Belchford Downhill Challenge is held every year, a competition for gravity powered soapbox carts that race down the hill at up to 50Kmph. The turnout for the event has been up to 3,000.

[edit] South Wold Hunt

The South Wold Hunt is based near Belchford and is a small, friendly hunt.

The hunt was founded in 1823 by the Hon. George Pelham (the younger brother to Lord Yarborough). In the mid 1850's the hunt built kennels at Belchford. During the Second World War the Agricultural Executive occupied the kennels and so the country was temporarily split with the hounds kennelled at Aswardby on the eastern side and Edlington Hall on the western side. The pack were united again in the 1948/1949 season when the hounds returned to the kennels at Belchford where they remain today. The South Wold Hounds are hunted every Saturday and most Tuesdays throughout the season.

The hounds are hunted over a varied country which includes part of the Lincolnshire Wolds and the Marsh. The country extends from Market Rasen Racecourse in the North West to the coast in the East. Woodhall Spa is at the South West of the Hunts' country.