In the 17th century, a rich lawyer from London, Richard Brownlow, bought land in the surrounding area, including Hough-on-the-Hill. In 1685–88, Christopher Wren built Belton House for the family. It has a marble hall and a magnificent library, as well as fine pieces of furniture, paintings, silver, and porcelain. The house is situated about four miles from Hough-on-the-Hill off the A607.
Along the walk there are panoramic views of the countryside to the north, and on a clear day, Lincoln Cathedral can be seen. Part of the walk follows the Viking Way, a long-distance footpath that also affords extensive views.
An old mine railway used to run near this spot; ironstone was taken from this area until 1946.
In Hough-on-the-Hill itself, it is worth climbing to the top of the motte and bailey castle. Around this area, Saxon brooches and buckles have been discovered.
All Saints Church has a 9th-century tower with a stair turret of a kind found in only three other churches in Britain, and the clerestory was added in the 14th century.
According to A Dictionary of British Place Names, the small village of Gelston could be a farmstead or a village of a man called Gjofull, though in the Domesday Book of 1086 it was known as Chevelestune. The medieval limestone cross on the village green dates from the 15th century, is Grade II listed, and is a scheduled ancient monument.
The next village visited on the walk is Carlton Scroop, which is listed in the Domesday Book as Carletune. In St Nicholas church, which is of Norman origin, the east window depicts two kneeling figures each holding a shield — a fine example of 14th-century medieval stained glass called the Newmarch window, dating from 1310. The base of the tower is 12th-century and the upper part from 1632, constructed after the former steeple collapsed.
The route from Carlton Scroop returns to Hough-on-the-Hill via a permissive footpath over arable farmland.
