We start in Navenby where there is plenty of parking along the High Street and the village is well equipped with inns, a tearoom and a chip shop. (There is also an inn in Wellingore part-way round the walk.)

The distance is 3 ¾ miles (6 kilometres) and the route may be found on OS Landranger map 122 Lincoln or Explorer 272.
Although seemingly poorly sited on high ground in fact the string of cliff-edge villages to the south of Lincoln owe their location to springs and the area had been settled since at least the Iron Age.

One of these prehistoric sites has been identified by the Navenby Archaeological Group and it is particularly interesting too because it has been overlaid by a subsequent Romano-British settlement.



It lies alongside Ermine Street and Chapel Lane and has now been landscaped and opened to the public.
There are several colourful information boards detailing the archaeological discoveries made here and they make interesting reading.

In East Street, Navenby, is Mrs Smith's Cottage, which is occasionally open to the public.
The cottage dates from the mid 1800s and remained virtually unmodernised until its last occupant (Mrs Hilda Smith) died at the age of 102 in 1994.



With commendable foresight Navenby villagers managed to secure its preservation as part of their history.
Arriving at Wellingore we pass the Hall, partly dating from the 1750s but mostly of the 1870s, once home to the Nevile family which vacated Auborn to live here but has since gone back again.

It is presently offices but peering through the gateway the building's splendour remains obvious; even down to the striking private chapel abutting the eastern end.
A few yards further on is Wellingore's All Saints church, worth visiting to see the two marvellous tombs in the north aisle of Richard de Buslingthorpe and his wife Isabella, and the altar reredos based on Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
For the mile and a half between Wellingore and Navenby we follow the Viking Way with its renowned views.
Once you are back in Navenby get a peep into St Peter's church if you can, for it contains a quite remarkable Easter sepulchre.



This stunning carving is recognised as one of the finest in Lincolnshire (if not in the country!) and received a mention in virtually every book written on churches and their architecture.

The churchyard itself is managed as a nature reserve and a seat offers a chance of a rest before the final few yards back to High Street and the attractions of the village inns or the tearoom.



If you look for the Lion and Royal you will be impressed by the large emblem over the front door topped by the Prince of Wales's feathers, presented after the prince (later Edward VII) stayed there, albeit only briefly, in 1870.
And finally, watch out in both villages for the distinctive silver, lion-headed water hydrants, installed during the 1930s for the use of cottages not connected to the mains water supply.


The Walk

From High Street, Navenby take East Street past Mrs Smith's Cottage continuing until you reach the Ermine Street.
Turn right.

At the next junction (with Chapel Lane) turn right again and in only a few paces go left into a small park where you will find marked paths and the archaeology information boards; rejoin Ermine Street at the far left hand corner.
Turn right for half a mile and then take a signed footpath on the right heading towards Wellingore.
This path is clearly marked over two arable fields beyond which it meets a road.

Cross carefully and keep ahead into the village, passing the Hall to reach the church and the A607. (The inn is off route to the right).
Cross into Vicarage Lane; at The Green turn right, then left, right again and left to reach the Memorial Hall.
Look for a play area to your left, and beyond it a clear path crossing some rough ground.
At the far side bear right following the Viking Way along the hill top.

The path turns right by some woods then uses field edges to arrive in Navenby at Clint Lane.
Just past a pond take the first left down 'The Smoots' bearing left at the bottom.
Turn right at a metal kissing gate and on reaching a second kissing gate look to your right for a stile, climb it and cross a paddock to another stile below the church.
A few paces uphill there are steps near a wall that lead up into the churchyard.

From the churchyard gate keep straight ahead back into Navenby High Street.