Walks from Grantham

A good, fairly direct and largely flat route with no steps or stiles, much of it well surfaced. The standout is a long, easy stretch of grassy or gravel canal towpath beside the Grantham Canal and with the towpath grassy and unsurfaced near the locks but more interesting than the parallel cycle track. Follows the Grantham Canal towpath, with restored locks and mileposts counting down from 33 miles. A train or bus links the two ends for a linear walk.

Waterway: two thirds along the Grantham Canal.

Time: 4h–8h

2 lunch spots: the Rutland Arms, or Old Forge Tea Rooms

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long, level walk that is fairly dry underfoot, mostly on good tracks and quiet roads with a section of the Grantham Canal, plus a few less-trodden field paths through villages. Plenty of stiles, a few steps and one steeper climb up the hill out of Harston. Follows the Grantham Canal out of Grantham. Can be split, and there are village shops/pubs at intermediate villages such as Harlaxton and Waltham-on-the-Wolds.

Time: 8h–15h30

Lunch: Shops and pubs in intermediate villages including Harlaxton, Denton and Waltham-on-the-Wolds.

Warnings: Plenty of stiles and a few steps; a couple of short sections without pavement on quiet roads, and a steeper climb over stiles up the hill from Harston towards Croxton Kerrial; some field paths a little muddy in places.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Mostly footpaths and quiet roads across farmland and through an escarpment and with a fair amount of road walking and a hill up into Grantham at the end. Some sections with overgrown brambles but passable; paths through farmland aren't always obvious. Uses a new path through access land on the escarpment.

Time: 6h–12h30

Lunch: A shop and a pub off route at Silk Willoughby.

Warnings: A long stretch of road between Oasby and Welby, though it has decent verges and is not busy; paths across farmland can be hard to follow.

Walk details: Slow Ways.