Navigation Walks - Two Churches and a Canal

0.00 Miles
0.00FT
3-5 hours

Two circular walks; one of 6 miles, the other of 8.5 miles from the historic town of Louth, through Alvingham and back.

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of two walks exploring Louth Canal and nearby villages of North Cockerington and Alvingham, with two churches in one churchyard. Keep a watch for the darting blue of the kingfisher or the antics of the moorhens as they squabble amongst themselves.

Description: 8.5 miles (14 km) or 6 miles (9.5 km).
Time: Approx. 4-5 hours at a leisurely pace for the longer route. Approx. 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace for the shorter route.
Maps: OS Landranger 113 and OS Explorer 283.
Parking: Numerous car parks throughout the town – please check for parking tariffs. Limited parking at the Riverhead.
Terrain: Along footpaths and bridleways. Can be muddy at times. Some roadside walking, all on level ground.
Refreshments: Cafes and pubs in Louth, with the Woolpack pub at the Riverhead.
Toilets: Public toilets on Eastgate, behind the New Market Hall and at the Bus Station on Church Street.
Stiles: A few. Many are stock proof and therefore may be difficult for some dogs.

The route is marked with a boat logo.

Looking after the Wolds - The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service works in partnership with the Lincolnshire Wolds Joint Advisory Committee and other groups and individuals to help protect, enhance and raise awareness of this nationally protected landscape. For more information about the Wolds, please visit the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB website.

Step by step instructions

Let's set off!
1

From Navigation Warehouse, where the River Lud enters the canal, follow the canal away from Louth town centre, cross the canal at the first weir, continuing along the towpath.
2

Continue along the towpath through a field where the River Lud runs on your right to Ticklepenny Lock.
3

Cross the road to follow the towpath. Go past farm buildings and the sewage works on your right. Continue along until you come to Lock Farm at Alvingham Lock, where a tributary of the River Lud runs under the canal, by way of a brick syphon, to feed Alvingham Mill. Cross the road to follow the towpath.
4

For the shorter walk

At the junction with two other footpaths, turn left off the canal for a chance to explore the village of Alvingham.
5

From the churchyard, walk through the farmyard and past the water mill on your right. Follow the road straight on.
6

Where the village road joins the main road, follow the bend to the left and walk carefully alongside the road until you pass over the canal. Turn right to join the towpath near Lock Farm and retrace your steps to Louth, keeping the canal on your right.
7

For the longer walk

Continue along the towpath to join the road at High Bridge. At the road turn right, leaving the canal, past the houses. At the end of the road, turn right onto the bridleway.
8

Continue along the bridleway as it crosses fields and ditches until you meet a road and continue straight ahead. After the first road bends to the right, then left, turn right along a footpath. Follow this along the edge of Green Dike until you join another road.
9

Turn right, then left on to Meadow Lane at the next road junction through North Cockerington village. Just past the public phone box, turn right down a footpath. At Chapel Lane, walk straight across to join another footpath. Follow this to rejoin the towpath, turn left and retrace your steps back to Louth.
You made it! Well done.

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