Public Transport
Finding Your Way
Getting Access to Churches
Setting the Scene - Lincoln
The Trail - Section 1
Stage 1. Lincoln to Washingborough
Stage 2. Washingborough to Branston
Stage 3. Branston to Potterhanworth
Stage 4. Potterhanworth to Nocton
Stage 5. Nocton to Dunston
Stage 6. Dunston to Metheringham
The Trail - Section 2
Stage 1. Metheringham to Blankney
Stage 2. Blankney to Scopwick
Stage 3. Scopwick to Digby
Stage 4. Digby to Dorrington
Stage 5. Dorrington to Ruskington
Stage 6. Ruskington to Sleaford
History | The Route
Section 2 - Stage 2
Blankney to Scopwick
Scopwick is Old English for "Sheep Farm". Today it owes its
idyllic setting to the wide main street lined by ancient stone cottages and flanked by greens with the beck flowing through the middle; and lots of ducks!
As we approach the village we see the War Graves Cemetery, dominated by the beautiful white Cross of Sacrifice at the higher end. This is here because RAF Digby (which was formerly RAF Scopwick) lies within the parish and personnel from the base who have been killed in action are buried here. During WWII many New Zealand and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel were stationed at Digby and their graves predominate although there are five German aircrew interred here too. One of those buried here was John Magee, a Canadian officer who wrote the poem "High Flight", widely published and quoted by USA president Ronald Reagan in the context of the Challenger space shuttle disaster. The full text is on display in the church and can be heard on the Spires & Steeples website.
Scopwick church has a most unusual dedication to the Holy Cross rather than a saint. The most ancient element is the Saxon chevron masonry built into the lower part of the Early English tower; the blunt top half dates from the C17th. Within are Early English arcades and a rare stone coffin lies beside the font. The chancel was rebuilt in 1910.
From 1831 to 1867 the vicar here was one Rev George Oliver who wrote a detailed account of village life entitled "Scopwickiana". Amongst many fascinating details was an account of the annual "Beating of the Bounds" ceremony during which deep holes were dug at various points around the parish boundary. Into these young boys were suspended head first to impress the village limits on their young minds. (Incidentally Rev Oliver is buried at St Swithin's, Lincoln - passed on the first section of the trail.)
DISTANCE : 1 1/2 miles : 2.5 kilometres.
REFRESHMENTS : Royal Oak, Scopwick.
NOTES. Parking in Blankney is best done at the NKDC Stepping Out carpark to the northeast of the village (GR076606); this is about half a mile from the B1188 and this trail. There is a footpath from Metheringham station directly to the Blankney Stepping Out site and a Stepping Out carpark at Scopwick in Vicarage Lane. (GR069582).
The Route
Cross the green at St Oswald's, Blankney, onto an estate road and turn left soon passing the former stables to the hall and then bearing right by the walled garden. When the road bends left keep ahead on a farm track. This soon bears right and then left to pass Brickyard Plantation before doing a dogleg through a hedge. Stay on the track until it bends to the right at a waymarker.
At this point leave the track, keeping ahead on grass and with a hedge to your right. From a bridle gate and stile in the field corner join a green lane (Trundle Lane) and continue ahead until you must bear right as Trundle Lane becomes Vicarage Lane. About a hundred yards ahead of you now is the entrance to the war graves cemetery. If you are not visiting this, look on your left for a footpath signpost after about 25 yards. Pass through a small estate of bungalows and at the far end enter a walled path by the churchyard to reach Main Street, Scopwick. Opposite is a green with a seat overlooking the beck. The inn is about 200 yards to your right.
