Walking the Way of Tennyson
A Walk in the Country with Hugh Marrows
Hagworthingham to Somersby
We continue to make the most of 2009 as the bi-centenary of Alfred Lord Tennyson's birth with another ramble in the southern wolds, which are now well known as Tennyson Country
This second Tennyson walk begins from Hagworthingham and again passes through the village of Somersby, the poet's birthplace. The previous walk co-incided with Tennyson's birthday on August 6.
His father, Dr George Tennyson, was rector at Somersby since 1805 and is buried in Somersby churchyard. The family stayed on at Somersby until 1837.
On this walk we approach Somersby from the west along the lane that links the village with Salmonby and on the way cross a stream, the infant River Lymm, widely accepted as being the inspiration for Tennyson's poem The Brook first published in 1857.
St Margaret's church Somersby is where Tennyson was baptised and across the road is Somersby House, the Tennyson family home and rectory.
This walk links easily with the August one to provide a fuller days outing.
Readers are welcome to park at the George and Dragon, Hagworthingham, by kind permission of the landlord.
ABOUT THE WALK.
START: The George & Dragon, Hagworthingham.
MAPS: OS Landranger 122 (Skegness): Explorer 273.
DISTANCE: 6 miles (9.5 kilometres)
REFRESHMENTS: George and Dragon
THE WALK
From the inn turn right following the main road through Hagworthingham.
At the far end of the village (don't turn right into Deep Lane) veer right along a now disused section of the 'old' main A158 road until it meets a lane; now turn right again.
This lane leads gradually uphill until the surfacing ends and it becomes a track and finally a footpath.
The path soon bends left, then right to descend the hillside by field edges before turning right at the bottom to reach a footbridge. Cross this and follow a headland footpath to meet a farm track.
Turn right now and stay on the track to pass Stainsby House Farm and then keep ahead along the access road to a T junction with the public road. Turn right.
The road soon passes through woods descending into the valley of the River Lymm, where you should turn right at the next T junction.
Shortly you will cross the River Lymm (Tennyson's Brook); continue now along the road into Somersby.
Walk past both the old rectory and the church, keeping ahead at another T junction, where after a few yards you will come to the entrance to White House Farm on your right. Turn in and after the gate beyond the house turn left to a stile.
Bear slightly right down a meadow to cross a double stile by a telegraph pole and from this proceed to the top right hand corner of the next field and yet another stile.
Cross the narrow corner of a third field and then veer right following the field edge as it then begins to curve round to the left.
At a barn and a cottage go between them to join a lane leading to Bag Enderby church.
Walk to the right of the church and beyond it keep forward along a farm track.
Follow this for just over a mile and crossing two fords along the way. At the first of these we re-cross The Brook. Beyond a farm join a surfaced lane and then in a further 250 yards or so look for a stile on your right. Cross this and walk over a meadow to a second stile.
The path ahead now leads directly back into the George & Dragon car park.
MR WO WAlk Map 14-10
Hagworthingham to Somersby
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Weather for Market Rasen
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
