South Elkington and Welton Vale

According to records, South Elkington church of All Saints was previously known as "All Halloys". Only the church tower dates from medieval times. The church is on the site of a former Anglo-Saxon burial ground. The Angles settled here in the 6th and 7th centuries before their conversion to Christianity, and nearly a hundred pagan burial urns have been unearthed in the area.

The hall at South Elkington, situated above Heron Lake, was once much larger than that seen today. It was constructed in the Italian style on the lines of Osborne House, home of Albert and Victoria on the Isle of Wight.

Far less grand than the hall, many of the older houses in South Elkington are built of local liver-coloured brick. When you begin the walk you will pass the village war memorial; have a look at the date indicated to end the Great War — it may be unique!

After the hall and a walk along the side of the quiet A157, the walk leads through lovely Welton Vale and then along the side of fields to return to the village by way of Kirk Vale and the church.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.