cycle route8 miles | 13 km

start - Horkstow

descriptionA circular route easily reached fromBarton, Brigg and South Ferriby, withsuperb views over the lower AncholmeValley and the rolling countryside to theeast. Pretty hillside lanes link the lowerroad that joins the four “low villages” ofHorkstow, Saxby, Bonby and Worlaby.Several narrow lanes give access downto the “Carrs” of the River Ancholme.

attractionsHorkstow Hall and the attractive 13thand 14th century church of St. Maurice.Saxby Hall and Old Rectory.

traffic LevelsMainly low.

to South Ferriby

Steep hill, cyclists advised to walk

Steep hill,cyclists advised to walk

to Barton upon Humber

to Horkstow Bridge

to Elsham

Bridge Lane

MiddlegateLane

The Wolds

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The Edge of the Wolds

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B ride steady

Bonby

Saxby all Saints

Horkstow

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Our route begins at Horkstow, well known for theRoman pavements discovered in the grounds ofthe Georgian Horkstow Hall in 1796. The mosaicdepicting a chariot race, was lifted in 1927 and isnow on display in the Hull and East RidingMuseum.

The earthworks opposite St. Maurice’s church arethe site of an early 17th century Jacobean manorhouse and formal gardens. George Stubbs livedin the village from 1756 to 1760 and several localfamilies own examples of his work painted duringhis stay. Here he commenced his gruesome workof dissecting horses to help understand how theanimal functioned, for his paintings and book‘Anatomy of the Horse’. Take time to visit theattractive church, built into the sloping ground ofthe Wolds escarpment, which dates back to the13th and 14th century.

Looking west, the “carr” land adjacent to the RiverAncholme, was once wooded land liable toflooding. Now it is almost all arable with manymiles of drains and dykes and is a haven forwildlife, especially during winter months.

If time permits, a short detour from the village,along Bridge Lane adjacent to Horkstow Hall, willbring you to Horkstow Bridge, two miles east ofthe B1204. This unusual small suspension bridge,designed by Sir John Rennie, consists of archedstone supports and wooden decking. It waserected in 1844 following the final drainage of theAncholme Valley and the enclosures.

Once the centre of the Hope-Barton family,Saxby All Saints has some interesting examples ofestate architecture like the 18-19th century Halland the Old Rectory built by William Reid Carsonin 1853. Sir George Gilbert Scott designed thevillage’s handsome church in 1845.

The pretty hillside lane in Bonby has some finewoodland with interesting flowers and opengrassland areas. A number of springs along the

hillside often create small marshyplaces, home to the distinctive “giant”horsetail, a member of an extremely ancientorder of plants, rare in North Lincolnshire.

Worlaby, a quiet village retains its peaceful charmwith extensive views over the Ancholme Valley.Beyond the river, are the extensive woodlands atBroughton and Appleby.

Turn left, to climb the secluded lane up the shortbut steep escarpment of the Wolds.

The climb to Middlegate Lane will reward youwith excellent views as you cycle north along thecrest of the chalk Wolds. Fine, open farmland tothe east contrasts with hillside woodland and thevast Lower Ancholme Valley to the west.

The gently rolling contours of the Wolds, formedduring glacial times, now support some of thebest arable land in the region. It is hard to realisethat before the enclosures most of this land wasthought to be of poor quality, needingconsiderable applications of powdered bonesand other natural fertilisers to produce highyields. Before the war sheep grazing was verycommon.

Above Bonby village a viewpoint with seats setamong flower-rich grassland, is the ideal place fora rest, with spectacular views across theAncholme Valley.

Many of the small woodlands on this higherground were planted for fox hunting or shooting,less than 200 years ago. Originally low growingthorn and gorse, they have become dominatedby sycamore and ash.

Pause at the junction of Middlegate Lane andPiggery Hill above Horkstow to enjoy fine viewsover Read’s Island and the Humber to theYorkshire Wolds and the Southern Vale of York.

cycle route8 miles | 13 km

The grades for cycle rides - ride easy, ride steady, ride well and ride strong have been developed by BritishCycling to help cyclists to decide whether a particular route is appropriate for their ability and experience.

The routes shown on the N Lincs map have been designed and approved by North Lincolnshire Counciland the colour grading system serves only as a guide as to the terrain, duration and nature of the ride.

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