The Lincolnshire Wolds run, somewhat parallel, with the North Sea coast, from the Humber in the north-west to Spilsby, a town in the south east and were designated an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)” as far back as 1973.

They comprise of a series of low hills and steep valleys underlain by chalk, limestone and sandstone rock and are actually a continuation of the Yorkshire Wolds which run up through the East Riding of Yorkshire.

There are four distinct areas:
• the main area of chalk hills in the north
• the north west scarp
• an area of ridges and valleys in the south west
• the claylands in the south east

Just north of the village of Normanby-le-Wold, is the highest point in the whole of the county at approximately 168 metres (551 feet) above sea level. Due to the flatness of the county as a whole, they provide some quite spectacular views across the flat fens and salt marshes of the immediate countryside.

From various points it is possible to see many of the larger structures in the north and east of the county such as the Humber Bridge, Lincoln Cathedral, Grimsby Dock Tower, the wind turbines near Mablethorpe, the radar station near Normanby, and even Tattershall Castle.

The Lincolnshire Wolds has a fascinating history, with a strong Viking influence evident in many of the place names. There are several small market towns that lie close at the foot of the area which are worth considering as a base for exploration, including Alford, Horncastle, (sometimes referred to as the "gateway to the Lincolnshire Wolds"), Louth, Market Rasen, Caistor and Spilsby.

Caistor High Street which runs from Caistor to Baumber near Horncastle is the path of a Roman Road. The secluded Bluestone Heath Road follows the course of an ancient drove road from west to east. There are also several "A" roads that run through the AONB connecting towns.

The roads are very popular with motorcyclists, and of course, Cadwell Park, one of the UK's top race circuits, is located outside Louth. Hikers also enjoy the area, with the famous long-distance Viking Way footpath running from Barton-upon-Humber in North Lincolnshire across the Lincolnshire Wolds and into Rutland.





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