Walks from Heckington

Largely flat, sticking to the south side of the South Forty Foot Drain on a good but unsurfaced footpath that can get muddy when wet and plus field and town sections. A two-mile section on the verge of the A17 west of Swineshead. Follows the South Forty Foot Drain; a surfaced cycle path runs as far as Hubberts Bridge.

Time: 6h–12h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. A two-mile section along the A17 west of Swineshead, parts of which have no pavement (a verge and short stretches of old road can be used); one gate on the Drain path was padlocked, requiring a climb.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A generally pleasant walk mixing field paths, farm tracks, roads and lanes. The first part is along a busy road with pavement only at the start, then road verges; field sections can be very muddy after rain and footpath signage is not always clear. No facilities at Burton Pedwardine village midway. The railway station is about 0.4 miles from the start/finish point in Heckington village centre.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: No facilities at Burton Pedwardine village midway.

1 end-of-walk reward: Heckington Windmill tea room

Warnings: An early section is along a fairly busy road without pavement (a decent verge with clear views of oncoming traffic, but treacherous with more traffic); field paths can be very muddy after heavy rain, and footpath signage is poor in places, with one field near a solar farm completely unmarked.

Walk details: Slow Ways.