Trains, Drains and Villeins - A walk through the history of the Isle of Axholme

This walk cuts through the heart of the Isle of Axholme, tracing a route where centuries of history sit side by side:

Drainage – 2026 marks 400 years since Cornelius Vermuyden struck his contract with Charles I to drain the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase, reshaping this landscape forever.
The Axholme Railway – a short-lived but fascinating line built in the early 20th century, whose traces still linger in the land.
A living relic – one of the few surviving open fields in England, still overseen by field reeves and farmed in the old medieval strips.
Peat extraction – evidence of the industry that once shaped the local economy and landscape.
Flax and hemp retting – a reminder of the area's once-thriving textile trades.
Brick and tile making – among the other industries that left their mark on Axholme.

And for the practicalities: the walk begins near The Belton Coffee Shop and ends with a well-earned pint at the Crown Inn, one of the area's historic hostelries.

Timings

Wednesday 16 September:

1030

Location & directions

The Belton Picnic Area Car Park, Epworth, Lincolnshire, DN9 1NY

Directions:

The Belton Picnic Area Car Park is beside the Belton Coffee House on the A161 between Epworth and Belton (North Lincolnshire).

Contact on day:

Angus Townley

Telephone number:

+447739921835

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Registration and pre-booking is prefered but not necessary.

Booking contact name:

Tim Davies

Booking website:

https://northlincs.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/OPAC/EVSESENQ/57820253/16580012

Accessibility details

This walk covers about 6.6 miles on mostly flat, well-marked footpaths. Guests should be reasonably fit and dress appropriately for the day's weather.

Additional information

Estimated duration:

2 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

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