Saxlin two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route from Lincoln to Saxilby, having made use of the free car park at Saxilby station and catching the train to Lincoln. I think the route is better starting from Saxilby however, to get the boring road walking out of the way first. Trying to stick firmly to the route I missed the entrance to Much Lane getting from Lincoln's pedestrian High Street to Brayford Pool. I've lived here 40 years and never knew that passageway existed.

Thereafter the walk is nice and simple, alongside the Fossdyke Canal for most of the way on firm tarmac or gravel paths, very accessible for pushchairs and scooters. There's a little section around the Pyewipe Inn that reverts to grass but there is a tarmac alternative under the Lincoln bypass through the pub car park. There's refreshment stops along the route at the Pyewipe Pub and Woodcocks at Burton Waters marina.

About 2 miles from Saxilby the path leaves the side of the Canal and crosses the A57 to follow a path alongside this busy road for the remainder of the route. It's a decent enough path, but makes the last section a bit of a plod, hence the recommendation to get this out of the way first by heading towards Lincoln.

Otherwise it's a very good route, well used by cyclists and joggers. Excellent chippy on the approach to Saxilby station too.

I walled this from Lincoln to Saxilby. It was raining for the first half of the journey so plenty of puddles but not a problem with decent footwear. Very pleasant walk with plenty of refreshment stops along the way.

I walked most of this route from Saxilby to Lincoln, but used the more direct unsafe A57 crossing as per SAXLIN 1. I did follow this route back as far as the A57 crossing to verify that it is safer, and the short section I missed is a signposted cycle route. Not quite a 5 star route because of the unavoidable pavement walking on the A57, but the Foss Dyke section is excellent.

From Saxilby station, we follow the roads around to Mill Lane, which we cross and continue on the left pavement of the A57 (the A57 can be reached a little earlier up a ramped path to the right, but it is quieter to stay on the street). This pavement is safe, but rather noisy, and due to the vegetation alongside some parts would be too narrow for cyclists to pass walkers at speed. Just beyond Broxholme Lane we take the signposted cycle track (photo 4) left across the river Till and follow it back round to the A57, where there is a cafe by the junction.

There is a fairly safe crossing with a central refuge but no lights (photo 5), and beyond a surfaced path leads us out to the Foss Dyke. Most of the rest of the route just follows the surfaced paths and quiet lanes along the Dyke all the way into Lincoln. The path has good views, and Lincoln Cathedral is visible from a long way away. There is a pub (the Pyewipe Inn) on the edge of the city just beyond the bypass.

Eventually we reach the large marina area and follow the river Witham under Wigford Way. When I walked the route, part of the path alongside the Witham was closed, hence the slight detour to reach High Street via Much Lane. We follow High Street right, crossing Oxford Street on a pelican crossing to reach the station and the meeting point a short distance to the left.

Overall this is an excellent direct route, it is just a bit of a shame that the A57 was built without allowing enough space for a path to follow the Foss Dyke all the way into Saxilby.

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