From the Armada Beacon, the route continues north along the beginning of the Nev Cole Way, a 57-mile long-distance footpath from Burton upon Stather to Nettleton (near Caistor), where it joins the Viking Way.
The footpath here gives fine views across the River Trent and over the Isle of Axholme. The cooling towers of three power stations — Ferrybridge, Eggborough, and Drax — used to be seen too, but their numbers are diminishing as power stations are decommissioned and towers demolished (in time, none will remain). What will remain in sight and seen on a clear day is York Minster, visible on the far horizon 26 miles away to the north-west. In season, cranesbill, enchanter's nightshade, red campion, white campion, and wild strawberry grow along this elevated way.
As the path reaches the village of Alkborough, it passes Julian's Bower, a turf maze first recorded in 1697. It was ancient then and thought to date from Roman times, though recently — because of its likeness to a pattern found in medieval French churches — it has been suggested that the maze was cut by monks from Walcot in the 16th century (its true age and origin remain unproven).
A stone replica of the bower may be found just along the way in the porch of Alkborough's parish church. Outside the church is an unusual cross believed to be Saxon in origin; the side nearest the church bears deep indents caused by the sharpening of arrows, as all men were once required by law to learn to use the longbow, and Alkborough's butts were just behind Front Street.
On the other side of Alkborough is the site of a Roman earthwork commanding the route to the Trent, where the line of the vallum or ditch enclosing an area of 300 feet square can still be traced.
The route continues to Walcot — a place name indicating that the area was settled by Britons in Saxon times, the natives being known as "wealas" (foreigners) to the Saxon invaders. On the right is Walcot Hall, whose owners have planted 1,000 cherry trees in the grounds.
Beyond Walcot, a bridlepath runs beside woodland where a tangle of hawthorn, wild rose, cherry, and elder grows among oaks, beech, and holly. The path leads back to the cliff top at Kell Well, a remarkable spring issuing from the cliff and overhung with trees, known for the "star" or "hag" stones (stones with holes through their centres) found in its channel that ancients carried as amulets or charms.
From Kell Well, the walk back along the cliff top allows you more fine views across the River Trent.
Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
