FOR July I have chosen a walk from South Ormsby, where wonderful Wolds scenery provides not only the setting to this picturesque village, but those of Brinkhill and the remote settlement of Driby, which we also visit.
We begin near the Massingberd Arms where considerate roadside parking is possible, and of course the inn makes a convenient place for refreshments before or after your walk.
The 5.25 miles (8.5 kilometres) route appears on OS.Landranger map 122 (Skegness) or Explorer 273.
For picnics try above Brinkhill (GR374731), by the ford near Driby (GR380738) or in the green lane approaching Driby itself.
The architectural style of the cottages with their matching windows, round-topped and all painted black and white, confirm South Ormsby to be an estate village.
The present hall (built in 1752) has been the Massingberd family seat since 1638.
It was designed by James Paine and was three floors until the 1920s when the upper one was removed.
The school, built in 1858, is now the village hall, is similarly painted black and white, as is the Massingberd Arms.
There is quite a different atmosphere a mile away when we reach Brinkhill.
As you enter the village there is a colourful local history information board and then pretty, redbrick cottages and farms occupying a quiet valley mentioned in the Domesday Book.
St Philip's Church, however, is relatively modern, dating from 1857, its simple design boldly emphasised in stripes of brick and sandstone.
At Driby a sense of antiquity is obvious for here is a place where history creates its own mood.
The Domesday Book records sufficient cultivated land for 12 ploughs, with 60 acres of meadow, a mill and a population approaching a hundred.
Many more than now!
The village once straddled the green lane along which we make our approach.
The manor house, though dating from the C17th, occupies a Medieaval moat site.
Here St Michael's Church is also Victorian (1849) but redundant since 1974, and now converted into a striking private house with additional wings and towers.
Back in South Ormsby, St Leonard's Church on its hilltop is certainly worth a visit.
Of special interest is a south aisle window of French (or possibly Flemish) C16th glass with its own special interpretive display.
Local tradition is that it came from Notre Dame in Paris during the French Revolution.
Parishioners' craftwork on display takes the form of colourful kneelers depicting biblical symbols, village houses and wildlife.
South Ormsby can also lay claim to Samuel Wesley as its rector before he moved to Epworth, where his famous sons John and Charles were born.
Many grander churches would envy such a wealth of history.
Green Lane on the approach to Driby.
Cottage roofs and St Leonard's Church, South Ormsby.
Rural tranquillity at Brinkhill.
Colourful village history at Brinkhill.
THE WALK: Facing the Massingberd Arms turn right to walk through South Ormsby to the old school.
(On the right here is a footpath to the church, as we return to this point you could visit it later.)
A few yards further on is a road junction, bear left here for a mile of quiet, easy walking to Brinkhill.
Keep right at the junction just after Brinkhill church and in 200 yards look for a footpath sign and stile on the left before Goldfield Farm.
A narrow path passes behind farm buildings to emerge in a paddock.
Walk up its left hand edge to another stile and then directly across a small arable field before continuing steeply uphill through woodland, first on a boardwalk and then steps.
(Look back here for marvellous views.)
Continue until a fingerpost points left towards a lane a few yards away with more fine views as you walk a short way downhill before turning right onto a signposted track.
Follow this for about a mile (there's a ford and footbridge about half way) until another path joins from the right.
Now bear left down to Driby's huge open green and turn left again over a cattle grid.
Beyond the church a track leads to a Water Board pumping station entrance.
Ignore the footpath bearing left and climb the stile in front of you, keeping forward by a fence.
Where this ends veer slightly right over an arable field (the way is usually marked in any crops) aiming for a protruding corner of Furze Close woods.
Within these a narrow path soon becomes a track.
At the far side a grassy track continues forward for 250 yards into a large meadow with a farm seen ahead.
Now bear half right towards a stile in a fence by two large trees.
Cross another meadow to a gate and from it aim slightly left over the third field towards the far top corner.
There you will find another stile and a path through the rear of a cottage garden, beyond that bear left down a paddock, emerging opposite South Ormsby church.
Turn right back to the start.
