Walk 2312 - printer friendly version

Culverthorpe Walk

Author - Hugh Marrows

Length - 4.0 miles / 6.5 km

Ascent - 100 feet / 30 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference TF019399
Lat 52.94682 + Long -0.48491196
Postcode NG32 3NQ (approx. location only)

This short walk explores the parkland and surroundings of Culverthorpe Hall using some of the many local footpaths and also some of the "Stepping Out" paths set up by North Kesteven District Council.

The Culverthorpe estate has everything that we expect to find associated with the typical English country house; a grand facade and outbuildings, its own farm, landscaped parkland, lakes, mature trees and far-reaching vistas.

The village at Culverthorpe was probably larger 900 years ago than it is today. The Domesday Book that were then 3 carucates of taxable land (a carucate could vary between 120 and 200 of our modern acres) farmed by eight villagers and that there was a church and priest. The church vanished long ago and its site is unknown - and it is possible that this Domesday reference was in fact to nearby Heydour for no trace of any other church has come to light.

The Hall is part C17th and part C18th and was begun about 1680 by Sir John Newton who was a cousin of Isaac Newton and the Member of Parliament for Grantham. It was Sir John who had built the middle section that has been described as looking like "a French chateau". The original house was later extended by the addition of side wings by sir john's descendant Sir Michael around 1730. Sir Michael had married into another (unrelated) Newton baronetcy and his wife was Countess Coningsby. A rather odd tragedy struck the family when their three-year old Viscount son was killed by a pet monkey throwing him over the balcony of their London home. For anyone interested there are family monuments in the nearby church at Heydour.

Although Culverthorpe had no parish church there was there was a private chapel built at the hall around 1691. It didn't last long and the frontage with its ionic columns was re-assembled in trees to the east of the hall, near the lane between Wilsford and Rauceby. It is a short way off our route but it is best seen in winter when the trees have no leaves. (See (*) in the route guide.

Notes The nearest inn is the Houblon Arms in Oasby but there are others at Newton or Wilsford. Culverthorpe lies south of the A52 road and is best reached by approaching through Dembleby.

Route Guide

As you enter the "Stepping Out" carpark look for an exit at the back left hand corner; this is the way you should go. Turn right across the causeway between two lakes and at the far shore turn right through a gate onto a fenced lakeside path. At the far end (at a path junction) turn right across the lake dam to reach a road. On the opposite side, just to your left, you will see a footpath sign pointing along a farm track.

Follow this and in about half a mile you will reach another lane where you should turn left for a "short" mile when you will come to another "Stepping Out" path on the left. This is clearly marked as it zig-zags downhill into a shallow valley and crosses North Beck. Beyond this it makes a final left turn as you begin to head back towards Culverthorpe. (There is a total of four left turns and three right turns involved in this section.)

On reaching the road near Culverthorpe turn right up into the village and then go left at the first junction. Keep ahead through the imposing gateway to enter the park surrounding the hall. (*) (If you wish to see the rebuilt chapel however first walk a few yards along the lane to the right.)

Continue along the estate road to pass in front of the hall itself and then bear left to go downhill back to the lakes and causeway. Finally retrace the outward route back to the start.

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