Vermuyden Way
A 20-mile long-distance path. The Vermuyden Way is a circular walking route in the Isle of Axholme area in Lincolnshire. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 782 054
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Time: 6–10 hours
Duration: 1–2 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000):
280 Isle of Axholme, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough
Summary
Supported by the Vermuyden Group of the Long Distance Walkers Association, the Vermuyden Way follows an elongated circuit along the artificial watercourses and low hills of the Isle of Axholme, much of which was marshland prior to the intervention of Cornelius Vermuyden, a Dutch land drainage engineer of the 17th century.
From the nominal start of the route at the public car park near Belton Brickworks, and taken in an anti-clockwise direction, the Vermuyden Way visits Church Town, Belton, and Bracon before crossing to the north side of the M180 motorway to reach Folly Drain, the northernmost point on the walk. After a short walk along Folly Drain heading east to west, the route heads south and east along the River Torne and back to the south side of the M180 to reach Chestnut Farm. Following a short stretch along a quiet road, Greenholme Lane Drain is followed south to Birds Wood Nature Reserve, and soon after, the village of Westwoodside is reached. The southernmost stage of the walk is completed between Westwoodside and the neighbouring village of Haxey before the route tracks north back to the town of Epworth. Just beyond the town, the walk ends back where it started.