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 1 - Stage 4
Potterhanworth to Nocton
"Nochetune", as it was described in Domesday Book, derives from the Old English for the "farm of the sheep". There has been a hall here since around 1530 and Henry VIII is known to have stayed there in 1541 but over the centuries it passed through numerous owners before the Hobart family came here in the mid C18th. One of them, Robert, became Secretary of State for the Colonies and had Hobart in Tasmania named after him. The hall subsequently came into the ownership of the Earls of Ripon, the first earl (John) being prime minister - but only for five months - in 1827/28. A new hall was built by the Ripons but that burned down in 1841 and its replacement, after being an RAF hospital for many years, suffered the same fate in 2004.
Nocton also owes its magnificent church to the Ripons but there is a story behind it! The mediaeval St Peters was demolished by the Hobarts in 1773 (it was too near the hall for their liking) and a new Georgian style church was built where All Saints now stands. That in turn was replaced by the present church, completed in 1862 and paid for entirely by the Countess of Ripon as a memorial to her late "prime minister" husband. Described by Rev. Henry Thorold as "sumptuous" it was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott the leading Victorian Neo-Gothic architect. The spire is 130 feet high and the interior brims with carvings, wall paintings, mosaics, alabaster and glass all contrived as an elaborate imagined re-creation of a C13th Early Decorated church. The approach path is but one feature amongst several community artworks in the village. The tree-lined track opposite the church gate once led to the hall. (See also www.allsaintsnocton.org.uk)
Scott also designed the school and three rows of cottages in the village; the first, Ripon Row is seen just across the road as we come into Nocton and enter The Avenue. Others are in Wellhead Lane and the Old Row behind the post office.
As we walk through Nocton village heading for the green we see our first artwork beside The Avenue, a Roman centurion's head by Robert Thompson. Then on the green we come to the "Dandelion Sundial" by Cliff Baxendale surrounded by relief panels depicting various aspects of Nocton's history. There are also a photographic installation at the village hall (in Main Road) by Jane Harrison and a carved bench near the post office created by the villagers under the guidance of artsNK's Denise Marshall. Perhaps the most delightful of all however is seen beside The Bridleway as we set off on the next section of the walk to Dunston. The "Cow" was created by Nocton schoolchildren with artsNK from old scrap farm tools which had been ploughed up in the surrounding fields. There are other charming little way markers including a carved squirrel and a mosaic snail!
DISTANCE : 1 1/2 miles : 2.5 kilometres.
REFRESHMENTS : Shop only in Nocton.
REFRESHMENTS : Many options in Lincoln city.
Ferry Boat, Washingborough.
Hunters Leap, Washingborough.
NOTES. There are limited parking facilities in Potterhanworth so wherever you leave your vehicle do so with consideration. Try around the war memorial or down nearby Barff Road. Nocton has both a village trail leaflet and a more detailed guidebook. And there is a children's trail too! (See www.noctonvillagetrail.com)
The Route
Set off past Potterhanworth church towards Nocton and at the first bend leave the road to take the field path directly ahead. Walk parallel to a line of electricity poles and keeping them to your right pass to the left of a small brick hut (a pump house) and then to the left of a small wood. After the wood join a farm track at a way mark and follow it to the B1188 road. Continue (with due care) into Nocton using the available pavement as soon as you can. At the second right-hand bend leave the road keeping ahead along the unsurfaced lane of The Avenue, which becomes a footpath through to the village green. The church is now a few paces distant and to your left; visit and then return to the green.
artworks symbols
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