Walk Details:
Start Point: Brayford Pool, Lincoln. Next to the Lincoln City Council Tourist Information board next to Lucy Tower car park
Lincoln Tourist Information: 01522 873540
Ordnance Survey: Map ref: SK 970 713
Distance: approx. 2km (1.2 miles)
Time: approx. 1 hour
Walk Conditions:
Paths are tarmac and on the flat so the walk is very pushchair and wheelchair friendly.
The walk itself starts next to the Brayford Pool. Look for the Lincoln City Council Tourist Information board next to Lucy Tower car park. Start your walk out of the city.The Brayford Pool was used by the Romans as an inshore harbour. It was known as 'Broadford' - a widening in the river that the Romans exploited and joined the River Witham to the River Trent.
At this time Lincoln was known as 'Lindon', meaning - the place of the pool. The Roman garrison renamed it Lindum and when it received 'Colonia' status it became Lindum Colonia.
Carry on walking away from the pool with the boats on your left and buildings on your right.Many artefacts have been found in this area. A short distance back the Witham Shield was found - an Iron Age shield that is currently housed in the British museum in London. A small statue of the god of war, Mars was found in the Fossedyke itself, probably a charm lost or sacrificed by a Roman soldier.
From the pool, head under the large bridge and to the walkway.Looking back at the Brayford Pool, imagine what it was like just over 150 years ago when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. Over the years many warehouses were built up. Few of the originals stand today, due to an extensive regeneration of the area, but if you look across the water to the beginning of the walk you'll still see the Harcross warehouse standing.
Carry on along Far Wharf and the Foss Bank. You will be going past houses at this point with a road between you and the water.Across the water you'll see the University accommodation buildings and moorings for many of the barges.
You will soon come to the end of the roadway and will start on the pathway. Beware as this is a bridleway and a cycle path. There is plenty of room on the path but it is worth being aware of bikes an horses.Whilst at the Brayford Pool you will have definitely seen swans and maybe even a few families of ducks, but it is now on the quiet Fossedyke where you'll start to spot family groups swimming between the boats.
Other wildlife to keep an eye out for are dragonflies during spring flying low to the water. The reed fringe growing in the shallower water at the canal's edge provides food and shelter them and damselflies.
As you leave Lincoln City's outskirts you walk past a golf course on your right. In the distance you'll be able to see Lincoln City's Grandstand which was last used for horse racing in 1964.Wen you break from the cover of the trees and into open field land, look back at Lincoln standing on the hill with Lincoln Cathedral standing prominent against the skyline. William The Conqueror had started construction of a Cathedral in 1072 and Lincoln was again becoming a clear trading city. The Fossedyke was cleared of debris and put back to it's former glory.
It must certainly have been a beacon amongst the Lincolnshire landscape for travellers either on the canal or walking to the city.
Carry on along the path walking until you reach the end at the Pyewipe Inn. A place for a rest, maybe a drink and a look at the Mary Gordon.The Mary Gordon is the oldest electric river boat which is currently being renovated and one day may again journey up the Fossedyke.
