North East Lincolnshire Council has put together walks and bike rides to help us explore the region
People walking in People’s Park(Image: North East Lincolnshire Council)
Feeling like a well-stuffed Christmas pudding after too much turkey, cake and chocolate? North East Lincolnshire Council has compiled a series of walk and bike trails to help blow away the cobwebs as we try to work out what day it is – (and if the bins need putting out)
Whether you’re in Immingham, Grimsby or Cleethorpes, the authority has put together a trio of winter walks to help us discover what the borough has to offer. All of the guides, and others across the borough, can be found at the Discover North East Lincolnshire | Walking trails – Discover North East Lincolnshire site.
1 Fishermen and Ships – Cycling, Grimsby, suitable for adults and older children
Distance – 12 miles, ride time – 1hrs 30mins, Terrain – mostly flat
The ride takes in views across the Humber and the picturesque villages of Great Coates, Stallingborough and Healing. The start of the ride is at Grimsby Leisure Centre on Cromwell Road, where there is free car parking available.
When you join the seawall, stop for a moment and take in the view. The Humber Estuary is one of the busiest areas of water in the country with ships from all over Europe and beyond visiting the nearby ports of Grimsby and Immingham. The river itself drains around 20% of the total land surface of England.
As well as being busy with industry, the river is also home to a host of wildlife, so you may be lucky enough to see flocks of wading birds feeding on the invertebrates that inhabit the estuary’s mudflats. At high tide, when the area is covered in water, you are likely to see local fishermen looking for a catch.
As the route turns away from the water it passes through the historic village of Stallingborough. Dating back to before the Doomsday Book the ancient village site is still visible in a series of earthworks to the west of the village church. You may wish to stop off at the village shop or nearby pub for some refreshments before heading back to the start of the ride via Healing.
A pair of curlews. You may see waders on this walk.(Image: Western Daily Press)
The route
Leave the Leisure centre grounds and turn left onto Cromwell Road. To your left is a small cutting through to Great Coates. Dismount and walk your bike through the cutting, at the end turn right and re-join the road along Station Road.
At the junction of Woad Lane and Moody Lane go straight ahead along the Public Bridleway towards the sea. At the end of this path turn left and cycle along the seawall.
After approximately 1 ¼ miles turn left off the seawall. At this point you may need to dismount to pass around a barrier.
Follow the track to the junction of South Marsh Road and Hobson Way, turn right then immediately turn left towards Stallingborough. Head straight along South Marsh Road and Station Road through the village for approximately 2½ miles.
At the roundabout turn left onto the B1210 towards Healing. As you enter Healing you may wish to join the off road cycle path on the lefthand side of the road. You can follow this path all the way to Grimsby.
At St Michael’s Church turn left onto the path alongside the Freshney passing through a small wooded area. Follow the path until you reach a T-junction, turn right here and keep the fence to your left-hand side, at the end of the path turn left onto Yarrow Road.
At the junction with Yarborough Road turn left and join the off road path, at the next junction turn left onto Sorrell Road. Follow this road to the junction with Spark Street where you should turn left. At the junction with Cromwell Road turn left and head back towards the start point at the leisure centre.
2 Mayflower Woods – Walking, Immingham. Accessible by public transport and suitable for walkers with dogs
Distance – 2.25 miles, difficulty – Steady
This 2¼-mile wander to the north of Immingham takes in the privately-owned Mayflower Woods. The 120 acres of planted woodland is owned by the Humber Refinery of Phillips 66. Humber Refinery of Phillips 66 open via Permissive rights of way.
Immingham has existed as small settlement since the early medieval period. The town was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, recorded as Imungeham. Its Anglo-Saxon name is thought to mean the ‘homestead of the people of Imma’. Up until the 1900s it was a rural hamlet, made up of farms and cottages and was surrounded by marshland. Today, Immingham is the largest port by tonnage the UK.
The walk starts at St Andrew’s church which dates back to the early medieval period. Sited on some of the highest ground of the port and town, the 500-year-old tower commands a good view of the town and countryside. See if you can spot the gargoyle on the bell tower which points its naked behind towards Killingholme.
Immingham was the last departure point for the Pilgrim Separatists who fled England in 1608 for Holland. They later boarded the Mayflower ship and founded one of the first English colonies in America. Across from St Andrew’s church you can also visit the Pilgrim’s Monument.
Once you have walked the length of Mill Lane, the route follows local footpaths and goes through Mayflower Woods emerging onto the old golf course and back to the church.
The route
Leave the Church following Church Lane for a short distance then turn down Mill Lane continue along the lane walking past Immingham Parish Cemetery on the right. At the sharp bend turn right following the direction of the footpath sign along a stony track which eventually changes to a grassy field edge path.
Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead along the well trodden path. At the big drain turn right following the direction of the way markers along the path with the drain on your left side.
Pass through a kissing gate and continue along the path along the drain side. Pass through two more kissing gates close together and continue along the well trodden route through the woodland.
Cross the bridge and immediately turn left along the drain side. Turn right along the edge of the trees across the golf course back to the car park. Cross the car park and follow the path around the church back to the start.
3 Country Park – Walking, Cleethorpes
Suitability – Accessible by public transport. Suitable for wheelchair users and for walkers with dogs. Distance – 2.25 miles. Difficulty – Easy
Cleethorpes Country Park was established in 1988 and covers an area of over 64 hectares of open grazing pasture, woodlands and a large lake with abundant wildlife and waterfowl.
Within the Country Park there are a variety of walks to choose from, the easiest and most accessible is a stroll around the lake on the tarmac path. This route is idea for anyone looking to get a bit of light exercise or anyone with mobility impairments. Look out for the displays around the lake for more information about these walks.
There are several accesses into the park for pedestrians, motorists can access the area via Park Lane (just off Humberston Road and North Sea Lane), there is a large car park with a picnic area and toilet facilities. Bus services, No 7,8,9 or 10 all stop close to the park making the walk easy to get to from all over Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
As well as being a great place for a walk the park also has areas dedicated to fishing, pond dipping, boating and there’s even a dedicated area for dogs to swim in. After your walk why not pop along to Cleethorpes Seafront where you’ll find a host of places to eat, drink and relax.
Cleethorpes Country Park (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)
The route
Leave the car park by the southeast exit and head up the path towards the lake. At the first junction take the path to your right.
Follow the path straight ahead towards the bridge. Before crossing the narrow footbridge turn left and follow the track keeping the beck to your right hand side. Turn left onto Grimsby Road.
At Martin Wragg Way turn left and re-enter the parkland, follow the path heading towards the lake. In the small wooded area follow the path straight ahead. At the circular blocked paved area turn right and head back towards the car park.
This is just one of the walks around the Country Park, look out for more walks on the display board by the car park.
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