Three Towns Walks - Walk Around Alford

0.00 Miles
0.00FT
2-3 hours

A charming walk around this historic market town, with reputedly the country’s largest thatched manor house.

Circular walk - 4 miles.
Maps: OS Landranger 122 and OS Explorer 274.
Parking: Free car parking is available off Millers Way, opposite the Anchor Inn on East Street (Grid Ref: TF 456 762). There are also pay and display car parks in Alford Market Place and South Market Place.
Terrain: Along footpaths which can be muddy at times. Some roadside walking, including crossing the A1104. Generally level, with some gentle hills and a short steep climb.
Refreshments: Tearooms, restaurants, pubs and shops in Alford.
Toilets: Public toilets behind Alford Library in South Market Place car park.
Stiles: A few. Some are stock proof and therefore may be difficult for some dogs.

Step by step instructions

Let's set off!
1

From Alford Manor House, walk towards the Post Office to turn left along Park Lane, noting the three generations of street name signs on the corner. Look out for the intricate brickwork of the old police station and house to your right, and the ‘Entrance for Magistrates’ notice above the door to Alford Conservative Club. Both police and court buildings were opened in 1879, at a cost of £1,870. Continue ahead, passing the site of the former annual Bull Fair beneath more recent development on your left.
2

At the road end, enter a grass field through the wooden gate, bearing half left to a second gate in the next hedge line. Then, following the waymarked path, walk across the field towards a bridge over the Wold Grift Drain. Look for the distinctive outlines of Alford’s former Methodist Chapel and St Wilfrid’s Church becoming visible on the skyline to your left.
3

Just before the bridge, turn right to cross a stile and footbridge. Continue on, drain to your left, across three further footbridges, with the rise of the Lincolnshire Wolds visible on your left and views of Alford’s Five-Sailed Windmill to your right. Listen for the skylark’s distinctive stream of song overhead and the water vole’s characteristic ‘plop’ into the water by your side.
4

Then, following the signposted footpath, walk diagonally right across a field towards the footbridge visible at the next boundary. Crossing this, follow the waymarked path over another field, heading for the outward curve of the Wold Grift Drain. There, turn right to continue alongside the drain emerging, across another footbridge, onto Greenfield Lane.
5

Turn right to walk uphill towards the A1104 road, one of the main routes to Mablethorpe and Lincolnshire’s holiday coast. The heavy musk of fox can often be smelled along here.
6

There, carefully cross straight over to walk down Rose Lane towards Saleby. As the road bends sharply left, pause to notice the old Methodist Chapel built in the distinctive yellowish brick from nearby Farlesthorpe. Then, continue straight ahead, turning quickly right to follow the signposted footpath along a farm track.
7

As the farm track bends left, carry on ahead to follow the signposted footpath across a field, passing the moated site of Saleby Manor and heading for the waymark post visible in the hedge gap. There, turn right to walk along the hedge line to a footbridge in the field corner. Then, following the signposted footpath, continue across the next field, heading to the right of the tidy hedge line in the far left field corner. Cross a dry ditch to walk, hedge to your left, along the edge of the grass field, emerging through a wooden gate into Thoresthorpe.
8

Turn left to walk along the road, quickly turning right to follow the signposted footpath diagonally up an arable field, heading for the remains of an isolated ash tree and sign visible on the skyline. From here, on a clear day, there are fine panoramic views out towards the coast and Lincolnshire’s first wind park near Mablethorpe.
9

Then, heading just left of Alford’s Five-Sailed Windmill, follow the signposted footpath downhill to a hidden footbridge and stile in the next hedge line. Cross these to walk, hedge to your left, through old pasture before emerging, over a stile, beside the A1104 again.
10

Carefully cross the road, turning left along the opposite pavement. Then, quickly turn right to follow the signposted footpath along a field edge and across a wooden boardwalk into another field. Continue ahead, hedge to your left, through a metal gate, before returning along the fence line to the gate onto Park Lane. There, retrace your steps back to Alford Manor House, your starting point.
You made it! Well done.
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