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 4
Digby to Dorrington
Dorrington's name derives from the Old English for "Deora's farmstead" but this had become "Derintone" by the time the Domesday Book was compiled.
We arrive in Dorrington at the green on which stands the large "Dorrington Demons" carving by Nick Jones. This recalls the local legend (or to be precise - two closely related legends) explaining how DorringtonÔs church became so isolated from the village.
When it was attempted to build the church where the carving now stands each day's work was mysteriously undone during the night. Eventually the workmen stayed up all night on guard but nothing happened until after they went for breakfast in the morning. Their work was all destroyed yet again, with one large stone being moved to the church's present site. Once work began there, it was uninterrupted.
The second version is similar but involves Tochti, a Saxon lord, who tried to build the church from stones taken from a pagan site. This version relates that the stones were again stolen each night, so the exasperated Tochti set a guard to watch over them. Having fallen asleep, they woke to witness a great oak being torn asunder as demons emerged to carry the stones effortlessly back up the hill.
The existing site may therefore be a pagan one; and it is reputedly haunted!
The truth however may be more prosaic. Approaching Dorrington from Digby walkers may notice in the first meadow after the wind pump (around GR081535) that there are uneven earthworks and definite traces of mediaeval ridge and furrow field strips and we are here quite close to the church. This could well indicate that Dorrington is what archaeologists call a migrated village; in other words over the centuries the village has simply moved, perhaps because the less exposed, lower-lying ground has become better drained.
St James and St John again exhibits a mix of architectural styles. In spite of the legends there is no evidence of Saxon work, however the tower is Transitional below and Decorated above whilst the nave is Decorated too but surmounted by a Perpendicular clerestory. Immediately noticeable is the truncated and unadorned appearance of the tower resulting from the spire being removed. What should not be missed (though it easily could be) is a carved "Doom" frieze above the east window that shows to the left figures climbing out of their graves and to the right the mouth of hell. Crowning the notice board by the entrance gate is a woodcarving by Denise Marshall echoing the theme of the stone frieze and depicting yet more demons.
Back in the village and across the road from the "Demons" sculpture the stump of a mediaeval cross protrudes from a garden that once formed part of the village green. The adjacent Playgarth is an ancient village feature too, for this was the place where feasting and entertainments took place on St Bartholomew's Day.
For those wishing to visit Dorrington church the necessary detour is described below.
DISTANCE : 1 1/4 miles : 2.0 kilometres.
REFRESHMENTS : Musicians Arms, Dorrington.
(Off route by B1188)
NOTES. Only street parking is available in Digby. Walkers should exercise consideration for the villagers.
The Route
Cross the stone clapper bridge (a rare sight in Lincolnshire and the only one on this walk!) almost opposite the Red Lion public house and turn right between a stream and a house wall. From a stile keep forward to a second one and then pass a pond and arrive at a footbridge by another (smaller) pond.
You now have open fields ahead and the next two are arable! From the pond walk ahead but pass to the right of the first electricity pole, shortly after which the marked path swings slightly left. Follow it to reach a footbridge over a dyke and then continue uphill to a stile in the top hedge of the second field. This is located about sixty yards to the left of the wind pump seen on the horizon. Now back in meadows (note the mediaeval field strips and earthworks) keep directly ahead towards the distant houses of Dorrington. From another stile enter the final meadow and aim to the right hand end of the houses.
From a stile and footbridge pass the end house to finally cut diagonally across the grass area of The Playgarth to the road; on the opposite side is the "Dorrington Demons" sculpture.
Detour
To reach Dorrington church take a signposted footpath branching to the right just before the houses as you reach the village. This follows field edges at first before striking off diagonally directly up to the churchyard. If the latter part is not marked in crops it is easier to follow the bottom edge of the final field into the church car park from where a grass path leads up to the churchyard gate. You can then walk along the B1188 and turn right into the village at the Musician's Arms.
artworks symbols
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