Newark to Lincoln

Route 64 of the National Cycle Network runs between Newark and Lincoln, making a nice half day ride of some 22 miles.  The route is well marked as such and has a variety of quiet country lanes, tarmac paths and a short section of grassy path which can be muddy.  The surrounding land is mostly flat, in fact there is only one rather insignificant hill to climb and the final section from Harby to Lincoln is a re-claimed railway route, entirely tarmac.

Newark has two railway stations, Newark Castle and Newark North Gate, both giving easy access to Route 64, so very convenient if travelling by train, and of course you can cycle to Lincoln and return by train.

Close by Newark Castle Station here is the route alongside the River Trent.  After crossing the river on the pedestrian bridge, the route is temporarily blocked by building operations, but it is not far to Newark North Gate Station by alternative road routes and we can pick up Route 64 there.











                                               Cross the River Trent on this pedestrian/cycle bridge.

           Once clear of Newark the route passes through some nice quiet villages, these being  Winthorpe, Collingham, South Scarle, Eagle, Eagle Moor, Swinethorpe, Harby, and Skellingthorpe.         

                                                                 Right here at tee junction.

                             We turn left here, before the level crossing, onto another off road section.
                                           Our destination, Lincoln, is still 19 miles away.

                                                  Through the gate ..............................

                                   .................. and onto a well surfaced path through the fields.

                              Here we cross the entrance road to the Langford Sand Quarry.

     This section is the only part of the whole route which is not surfaced and can be muddy after rain.

                Two nice seats at the Langford Nature Reserve which is alongside the quarry.

                                    The quiet lanes are good for horse riders as well as cyclists.

         Turn right on reaching the Harby to Lincoln re-claimed railway route at the Sustrans milepost.

 

                                      A nice flat straight run from here all the way into Lincoln.

                          This large photograph alongside the path depicts the scene behind it.

Turn right here at this miniature cattle grid.

 

 

 

                             Turning right after this bridge brings us to the waterside path................... 
                 .

                         .................. which runs along to the centre of Lincoln and Brayford Pool.
This is the Fossdyke Navigation (canal) which runs Westwards 11 miles to join the River Trent at Torksey Lock.  At High Bridge in Lincoln, it joins the River Witham, this flowing Eastwards to Boston and hence to join the waters of The Wash.

                                                  Hire bikes alongside Brayford Pool.

Lincoln is a beautiful city, steeped in history, with the Cathedral standing high on the hill and visible from miles around. During WW2 it was a welcome sight for aircrew returning from bombing raids over Germany to their home airfields in the surrounding countryside.

 

The ancient cobbled streets are unsuitable for cycling in either direction, but generally speaking uphill leads to the Cathedral and the walk is well worth the effort.

 

 

The closer we are to the Cathedral, the more impressive the building becomes, and one can but marvel at the skill of it's designers and builders, who persevered over hundreds of years to bring it to this level of magnificence. Many would have worked on it for the whole of their lives and never lived to see it in the finished state. For a few years towards the end of the 14th Century, it was the tallest building in the world.

                                                                      Wow!