The Wanderlust Way

formerly the Bradley 20

The Wanderlust Way is a twenty mile circular walk around the beautiful, rolling chalk hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And with good cause. Anyone walking the Lincolnshire Wolds for the first time will be very pleasantly surprised. Well signposted and maintained rights of way run through chocolate-box landscapes and villages worthy of the Cotswolds — but without the crowds.

The Wanderlust Way was originally known as the 'Bradley 20' after its most popular starting point at Bradley Woods, but was renamed in 1990. The new name commemorates the life of James Neville Cole (1916 — 1989). Known to local ramblers as 'Nev', he founded the Wanderlust Rambling Club, and devoted much of his life to walking local bridleways and footpaths, and ensuring they were well maintained and kept open — A legacy for future generations to enjoy. Thanks Nev! Just to emphasise Nev's standing in the area's rambling community, it's worth mentioning that The Wanderlust Way is one of two footpaths set up in his memory, the other being the long distance path 'The Nev Cole Way' (see Walk 1150, which covers the first part of this walk.)

But, onto the walk itself. The beauty of the Wanderlust Way is that it is much more than a long, circular walk. It is set up as three individual circular walks of 8, 9, and 10 miles, and so can be walked in a variety of different ways depending on your ability, time available, weather, etc. You can find the three basic circular walks on the Walkingworld 'Find-a-Walk' database, and below you will find how to adapt them into walks of various lengths.

A colour leaflet 'Walking the Wanderlust Way' has been published by North East Lincs Council Leisure Department. Contact them and they will be happy to send a copy to you.

The three Walkingworld walks are:

1. Walk 2026: Bradley Woods — Beelsby — Hatcliffe — Barnoldby le Beck (10 miles)
2. Walk 2055: Barnoldby le Beck — Hatcliffe — East Ravendale — Ashby cum Fenby — Brigsley (8 miles)
3. Walk 2066: East Ravendale — Wold Newton — Hawerby cum Beesby - Ashby cum Fenby (9 miles)

And they are arranged in three loops as follows:

Therefore, it is possible to make three additional walks:

1. The full circular, or 'Bradley Twenty' (20 miles)
2. The perimeter of Walks 2026 and 2055, or 'Northern Circuit' (24½km / 15¼ miles)
3. The perimeter of Walks 2055 and 2066, or 'Southern Circuit' (27½km / 17 miles)

The Bradley Twenty

Distance: 20 miles / 32km

Time: 8 - 10 hours

Parking: As per Walk 2026

Map: OS Landranger 113 (1:50 000) or OS Explorer 284

If you would like to attempt the Bradley Twenty, you need all three WalkingWorld walks. By far the best starting point is the car park at Bradley Woods (see access information on Walk 2026.) Amenities en route are limited, but there is a pub at Barnoldby le Beck (The Ship), and an ice-cream shop at Brigsley. Both are highly recommended, but The Ship can get quite busy. There is also a bar/restaurant in Ashby cum Fenby, but I have never paid it a visit.

If you have completed the Bradley Twenty circuit of the Wanderlust Way, badges and certificates are available from the Wanderlust Rambling Club. Their current address is published in the leaflet mentioned above.

Follow these instructions to complete the Bradley Twenty circuit:

1. From Bradley Woods, follow Walk 2026 as far as Waymark 26.
2. At Waymark 26, switch to Walk 2055 at Waymark 11.
3. Follow Walk 2055 as far as Waymark 14.
4. At Waymark 14, switch to Walk 2066 at Waymark 1.
5. Follow Walk 2066 as far as Waymark 44.
6. At Waymark 44, switch to Walk 2055 at Waymark 21.
7. Follow Walk 2055 as far as Waymark 34.
8. At Waymark 34, switch to Walk 2026 at Waymark 36.
9. Follow Walk 2026 to the end.

The Northern Circuit

Distance: 20 miles / 32km

Time: 6 - 8 hours

Parking: As per Walk 2026

Map: OS Landranger 113 (1:50 000) or OS Explorer 284

If you would like to walk the Northern Circuit, you need WalkingWorld Walks 2026 and 2055. By far the best starting point is the car park at Bradley Woods (see access information on Walk 2026.) Amenities en route are limited, but there is a pub at Barnoldby le Beck (The Ship), and an ice-cream shop at Brigsley. Both are highly recommended, but The Ship can get quite busy. There is also a bar/restaurant in Ashby cum Fenby, but I have never paid it a visit.

Follow these instructions to complete the Northern circuit:

1. From Bradley Woods, follow Walk 2026 as far as Waymark 26.
2. At Waymark 26, switch to Walk 2055 at Waymark 11.
3. Follow Walk 2055 as far as Waymark 34.
4. At Waymark 34, switch back to Walk 2026 at Waymark 36.
5. Follow Walk 2026 to the end.

The Southern Circuit

Distance: 20 miles / 32km Time: 6 - 8 hours Parking: As per Walk 2055 Map: OS Landranger 113 (1:50 000) or OS Explorer 284 (1:25 000)

If you would like to walk the Southern Circuit, you need WalkingWorld Walks 2055 and 2066. Parking anywhere on this circuit is quite limited, and the Wanderlust Way leaflet offers the following information:

There is also a lay-by in Hatcliffe. I found that the best place was a rough lay-by beside the phone box at the main crossroads in East Ravendale (on the B1203), as per the start of Walk 2055.

Public transport for the southern circuit is limited to the 25, 30 and 31 services. These call at a number of villages en route but are infrequent at best. There are also the '9' and '9X' services to Barnoldby-le-Beck.

Amenities en route are limited, but there is a pub at Barnoldby le Beck (The Ship), and an ice-cream shop at Brigsley. Both are highly recommended, but The Ship can get quite busy. There is also a bar/restaurant (Hall Farm) in Ashby cum Fenby, but I have never paid it a visit.

Follow these instructions to complete the Southern circuit:

1. From East Ravendale, follow Walk 2066 as far as Waymark 44.
2. At Waymark 44, switch to Walk 2055 at Waymark 21.
3. Follow Walk 2055 back to the crossroads at East Ravendale.