Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.3 miles
Typical duration: 3 hours
Start and finish: St Mary’s Church, Tetford
Map: OS Landranger 122
Step-by-step details and maps ramblers.org.uk/tetford
In a nutshell
A scenic walk through part of the Lincolnshire Wolds area of outstanding natural beauty, taking you past poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson’s former home. This is the English countryside at its quintessential best, with rolling hills, babbling brooks and unspoilt farmland. Visit in May to see the Tetford and Salmonby scarecrow festival – a trail of scarecrows running through the village, many made up to look like famous characters.
Why it’s special
Poetry lovers may gain inspiration as they retrace the steps of one of our most famous writers, or recognise the landscapes described in his poems. The walk starts at St Mary’s Church and follows winding lanes with lovely views over the countryside. You pass the church in Somersby where Tennyson’s father was rector and where he was baptised in 1809. It’s well worth having a look inside to see the exhibition on the poet’s family background and life. Beyond the church is the cream coloured former rectory(now a private home) where Tennyson was born and grew up. The walk leads you along quiet lanes, across brooks and through woodland – a peaceful and pretty meander at any time of the year.
Reward yourself
Carry on the Tennyson tour at the 16th-century White Hart Inn in Tetford. As well as enjoying good food and real ales you can sit in the oak settle used by Tennyson himself
Get there
The nearest mainline rail station is Lincoln from where buses run to Horncastle. Bus service 6C runs from Horncastle to Louth via Tetford, four times a day, Mon-Sat. By car from Lincoln, take the A158 to Horncastle and on to Tetford.