Bellmount Tower, Barkston & Beyond: A Morning’s Walk in South Lincolnshire

At long last I’m back with a serious bit of hiking in South Kesteven, Lincolnshire. Just north of Grantham sits the picturesque stately home, Belton House...well we won’t be going there today because it costs a mind-blowingly steep entrance fee! Instead, I’ll be setting off from Londonthorpe Woods once more to tour the villages and roads to the north of Belton – although there’ll be a cheeky fly-by visit towards the end the historic village. From the Londonthorpe Woods car park, I head north and up a long hill to the fabulous – and free to visit – Bellmount Tower. After taking in the view, it’s through the nearby woods, where some landowner challenges necessitate a bit of a diversion until I find myself walking the Roman Ermine Way road. After a mile or so, I take a turn past the surprisingly quiet RAD Barkston Heath airfield, and along road and track to the west heading down into sleepy Barkstone village. From here it’s roads and then a few fields northwards until I pass through little Honington, and pick up the windy roads heading westwards once more into the fields. All around me it’s harvest time for sure, although the recent heat wave has rather bleached out a lot of the landscape I’m encountering. I wend my way south eventually, crossing over the river Witham and Honington Beck to skip across some stepping stones as I return once more to Barkstone. From here, I head south, diverting through Syston (where you might have to take my word for it as I forgot to record any footage here) and then into the top end of the exclusive Belton village – where the house prices will fair make your eyes-boggle unless you’re a member of the gentry! From here though it’s a lengthy slog along the roads curving southwards – passing by Bellmount Tower for a second time – before I finally return to Londonthorpe Woods and my car! As always this walk is one of a series of immersive walking experiences featuring real ambient sound so you can experience cities, towns and countryside just as they are, with minimal on-camera comments. However, I provide some text context to the experience and my thinking as I head along my route. Where should I hike next? What did you like about this one? Did anything surprise you about Belton and the surrounding area? Have you visited the great house and its grounds and think it’s worth the money? Should I visit and film a walk around there next?! Let me know your thoughts the comments below! And if you want to experience more relaxing but fascinating walking tours through the gorgeous British countryside, and occasionally a little urban treat, consider subscribing or leaving a like! Timecodes 00:00 – Intro (Londonthorpe Woods) 01:33 - Bellmount Tower 03:57 - Ermine Way & RAF Barkston Heath 06:19 - Barkstone & roads 08:20 - Honington & Fields 10:37 - River Witham & Stepping Stones 12:06 - Back to Barkston & on to Syston 13:15 - Belton village 14:39 - Bellmount Tower & Final Leg 16:15 - Outro (Londonthorpe Woods)