Market Rasen to Wickenby

0.00 Miles
851FT

This ride takes you through 11 villages, some of which are just a cluster of a few houses and keep mainly to quiet country roads where traffic is light. It can be shortened at various points to allow for ability and time available.

The route gently undulates along the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds giving views towards forestry lands, and high above you is the escarpment of the Wolds themselves.

On the approach to Walesby, All Saints Church (or as it is more commonly known, the Ramblers Church), can be seen. It served the people of Walesby until the village moved further down the hill. Look out for the deer and the Lincolnshire Longwool sheep grazing on the side of the hills. A folly on Castle Farm can be seen which was built to mock Bayons Manor in Tealby. Bayons Manor’s story can be found on the information board after leaving Tealby.

In Tealby there is The Kings Head which is said to be the oldest thatched roof pub in Lincolnshire, built in 1367, where a refreshing drink and food can be found.

Another worthy stop is at Wickenby Airfield where there is a café and a small museum dedicated to the servicemen who were based at the airfield during WWII. A pleasant time can be had watching the light aircraft take off and land while being refreshed. Please check opening times before setting off.

Distance: 25 miles (40 km)

Parking: John Street Car Park (charges apply).

Toilets: John Street, Market Rasen.

Download the GPX file.

Step by step instructions

Let's set off!
1

From the cobbled Market Place at the heart of Market Rasen head East along Queen Street until you reach the traffic lights at the crossroads.
2

At the traffic lights turn right down Jameson Bridge Street and head towards Tealby and Walesby.
3

After about half a mile take the left-hand fork signposted to Walesby and keep on this road for nearly 2 miles.
4

As you approach Walesby turn right down Catskin Lane. Follow this road for 1.5 miles until you reach a T-Junction.

At the junction the route can be shortened to a 7.3 mile ride by turning right and heading back to Market Rasen. The road will take you back to the traffic lights near the start of the ride.
5

To continue the route turn left up the hill for 0.3 mile.
6

Take the right hand turn down Cow Lane into Tealby village. Follow the road through the village. The climb through the village is fairly steep but worth the effort. In wet weather if you wish to miss the off-road part of the ride, turn right before reaching the King's Head and head toward Tealby Thorpe. You will pick the route up when the main route joins the tarmac again at point 8.
7

At the Tennyson d'Eyncourt Memorial Hall turn right down the steep descent on Beck Hill. At the bottom of the hill you will meet a ford across the River Rase. After the ford, the routes’ surface becomes compacted stone which can be ridden by most bikes.
8

Still on the stone track, at the crossroads turn right. At the crossroads there is an information board explaining the chequered history of Bayons Manor. Keep on the track back to the tarmacked road. Back on the route keep on this road for 1.25 miles until you reach the A631.

Here the route can be shortened to 10 miles by turning right and returning to Market Rasen. Although this is a main road there is a shared pedestrian / cycle path all the way back to the outskirts of the town. On the way back you will pass Willingham Woods which has numerous walks in it.
9

The longer route turns left and heads up towards North Willingham. There is a shared pedestrian / cycle path alongside the road up to the village.
10

At the bend in the road turn right towards Sixhills. It is best to go right to the apex of the bend before crossing so you are able to see traffic coming both ways.
11

Continue the gentle climb for nearly a mile until you reach a right-hand turn to Little London and Legsby. After all the climbing this is your reward as the road gently descends in to Little London.

At Little London the ride can be shortened again to 13 miles by turning right towards Market Rasen. Follow the road past Market Rasen racecourse until you reach Willingham Road and turn left to take you back to the traffic lights.
12

On the main route turn left and keep on this road for nearly 3.5 miles until you reach East Torrington. On the way you will have passed through Legsby.
13

At the crossroads in East Torrington turn right towards West Torrington.

When reaching West Torrington a more direct route back to Market Rasen is to turn right and follow the road, ignoring the left hand turn. Continue all the way back to Market Rasen.
14

To continue on the full route turn right at the T-Junction and then shortly afterwards turn left to Holton cum Beckering.
15

When you reach the end of the road turn left, and follow the road around the bend. Take the next turning right signposted Wickenby airport.

If you wish to shorten the route to 22.5 miles turn right and then at Lissington turn left. Take the next right hand turning to Middle Rasen and you will pick up the main route at point 20.
16

Take the next right hand turn and keep on this road past Wickenby Airfield.
17

At Wickenby turn right towards Wickenby and Friesthorpe.
18

In Wickenby turn right and then almost immediately turn left. At this point you will have joined the NCN Route 1.
19

Continue to follow the NCN 1 signs and turn right after crossing the manned level crossing and Wickenby Woods signposted to Linwood.
20

After following this lane for nearly 2 miles turn left towards Middle Rasen and keep on this road for 2.5 miles.
21

At the crossroads in Middle Rasen, turn right onto the A46 and then turn right again onto Gainsborough Road that will lead you back in to Market Rasen and your starting point. If you prefer, at the crossroads there is a shared pedestrian / cycle path on the right-hand side if the road. This will help you miss the filtered junction. The shared path continues along the left-hand side of Gainsborough road until you reach the towns' boundary.
You made it! Well done.
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