LAST autumn some readers will (I hope!) have walked the Spa Trail from Woodhall to Horncastle at my suggestion.
I make no apologies for returning to this trail again so soon, however, for a shorter walk, and I do so for a specific reason at this time of year - the glorious profusion of spring flowers in the area's woodlands.
We begin at the car park and picnic site on the old railway at Roughton, beside the Horncastle/Woodhall road (grid ref 235658).

The walk is just under four miles (6.5 kilometres) long and its route appears on OS Landranger 122 (Skegness) or Explorer 273 maps.
(Alternatively start from the small car park at Sandy Lane, Roughton grid ref 218647), this adds half a mile, see note to walk instructions.)
The route does involve a quarter of a mile or so on the B1191, so take care here especially with children!
The Spa Trail forms part of the Viking Way, the only National Trail within Lincolnshire, as it wends its 148 miles from Barton-on-Humber to Rutland, and here the section between Horncastle and Woodhall is mostly along the old Horncastle Branch Railway, which was operative between 1855 and 1971.

Tucked away at Martin stands St Michael's Church, described by Henry Thorold in his books on Lincolnshire churches as "lost among farm buildings - a precious forgotten little building".

There is a magnificent Norman doorway with very well preserved carving, and amongst the greenstone masonry are colourful, contrasting patches of brickwork repairs. There was some restoration here in 1877.

Martin is also a deserted medieval village and received an entry in the Domesday Book indicating there were probably more residents there then than nowadays.

There was also particular mention of the extensive woodland and woodland pasture, still a feature of the area even today.
As we leave Martin heading towards the woods there are fairly clear traces in grass mounds in the meadow of the old village house plots and streets.



White Hall Wood is also an ancient landscape feature, which together with the adjacent Highall Wood and Thornton Wood may well precede Domesday in age.
Within White Hall Wood - to the left on our walk, though unfortunately not visible from the right of way - is a moated grange site and causeway.

This may possibly be the grange known to have been leased by Ralph Cromwell (builder of Tattershall Castle) from the monks of Kirkstead Abbey.

The spectacular display of spring flowers beside the railway, and more especially, in the woodlands, including literally thousands of primroses, celandines and wood anemones, is a sight which will lift the spirits!




Woodhall Spa trail



THE WALK: In the picnic site face the road and then turn left, walking along the old railway as far as Martin road bridge.
Immediately before this look for a pathway that has been worn away on the right and which leads up to the road.
Turn left across the bridge and walk a quarter of a mile to a turning on the left for Martin, this is signed for Hall Farm.
From the footpath sign near the farm and the church keep ahead past a large barn and go through a bridlegate.
As you continue through more bridlegates a delightful, wide grass track develops.
There are even views to Lincoln Cathedral from here!
Once through a "double bend" the track keeps ahead to enter Thornton and White Hall woods where an obvious way continues through the trees to eventually rejoin the Spa Trail/old railway.
Now turn left back to the start, with many more flowers to be seen beside the old trackbed.

* NOTE: If you begin at Sandy Lane simply follow the old railway to Martin Bridge, and on reaching it again after White Hall Wood turn right instead of left to return to your car.