The scenic Lincolnshire Wolds have been designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The sprawling countryside with its beautiful scenery and historic sites is renowned for its walks and long distance paths. At Greetham Retreat we offer an Ordnance Survey map of the area in all our self catering accommodation, and also have a folder available with more than 100 different walks throughout Lincolnshire for you to borrow and try out. In addition, we provided laminated sheets for several local walks for you to borrow and use.
Walkers Welcome at Greetham Retreat
- Willingham Woods, situated just outside of Market Rasen, is a large woodland area with a number of trails to explore. Cyclists and horse-riders are allowed to visit the woods upon obtaining a permit. One trail is suitable for wheeelchair users or anyone who maybe less able.
- Chambers Wood, near Wragby is also a popular limewood for visitors and has regular activities and is a lovely walk.
- For more information on walking and cycling routes in Lincolnshire and in the Wolds area, visit the Walking in Lincs Website and the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Website.
- Further walking, cycle and riding routes can be found via this link to the Lincolnshire Wolds Countyside Service and Lincolnshire County Council which also has a route search facility, many walks can be dowloaded from both these website which really are worth investigating.
- The Lindsay Trail is a 69 mile circular way-marked trail throughout the Lincolnshire Wolds (22 miles off-road & 47 miles on quiet roads) suitable for horses riders, carriages, off-road cyclists or walkers and passes right by Greetham Retreat. Click here for leaflet about the Lindsay Trail.
- The Lincolnshire Wolds also hosts and annual Walking Festival around spring bank holiday for 2 weeks at the end of May and into early June each year. There are nearly 100 guided walks organised during the festival and many are free of charge. Find out more at the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival Website.
Outstanding Natural Wildlife
- Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve is a three-mile stretch of unspoilt coastland famous for its outstanding wildlife, especially its birds. Enjoy bird watching from its observatory after a walk on the beach, and relax in the café at the visitors centre.
- The internationally renowned Donna Nook is a must for its large and very accessible Grey Seal breeding colonies. They can be seen calving in October to December each year and there are excellent public viewing areas that allow you to get a fantastic view of the seal pups.
- Visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website for more information on Gibraltar Point and their other nearby nature reserves, including Snipe Dales, just 5 minutes drive from Greetham Retreat, Donna Nook and Far Ings.
- There are also two great birdwatching nature reserves managed by the RSPB at Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore on the endge of the Wash only about 30 minutes drive from Greetham Retreat.
Wildlife and Farm Parks
- For those wishing to see some more exotic animals, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park or The Woodside Wildife and Falconry Park make fun days out.
- The Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, incorporating the National Parrot Sanctuary, boasts the UK’s largest collection of parrots and is keen on conservation and research. Woodside Wildlife Park is home to owls and eagles as well as marmosets, butterflies, lizards and even has Tigers and Wolves, well worth a visit as the kids will love it and can get up close at feeding time!
- For animals that are a little more familiar, Rand Farm Park near Lincoln offers children a hands-on learning experience at a genuine working farm. You can also try Tattershall Farm Park and Rushmore Country Park near Louth – only 20 minutes’ drive from Greetham Retreat