Hills, Holes and a Stately Home

Dean will be leading this walk as his assessment to become an ODL Lowland and Hill Walk Leader.

We will start by walking out of Barnack and through the Hills and Holes Nature Reserve.  This site of special scientific interest was first exploited

by the Romans over 1500 years ago and quarryring continued up to medieval times.  The stone, known as "Barnack Rag", was used in the construction of the Cathedrals at Peterborough and Ely and also the Abbeys at Crowland, Ramsey, Sawtry and Bury St Edmunds.

We'll then continue along the "course" of the ancient Roman Road "Ermine Street". The road was built around 43AD and was an important military and trade route that ran for 200 miles from Bishopsgate in London, through Lincoln and onto York.  By the 18th Century the road became a busy Stage Coach route and was known as the Great North Road.  

From there we'll walk into Burghley Park and have a nice picnic with a lovely view of Burghley House. The house is famous for the annual Burghley Horse trials and is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century.  The house was conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, and is still occupied by the Cecil Family

After we've eaten, we'll do a quick loop in front of the house, then down into Stamford and through the other side. Here, we'll pick up the path by the side of the disused "Welland Navigation" canal, that ran from Stamford to Market Deeping. Claimed to be one of the earliest Post Roman canals in England, the site is now a picturesque nature reserve.

We then take a gentle ascent back up to Barnack Church, where we'll finish our walk.

Is it dog friendly?  Yes!!  4 legged friends are welcome, but please abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) and note there are a couple of stiles to cross. There are Fallow Deer in the grounds of Burghley Park, so please ensure your dog can be fastened securely whilst we have our picnic. Please remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

New Members - I would like to warmly welcome any newbies looking perhaps to try this as their first Outdoor Lads event. You may find this link useful https://www.outdoorlads.com/my-first-event or if you have If you have any questions then feel free to message me. 

Image credits: Photos are all the property of Dean Vellam and I give full consent for these to be used for OutdoorLads purposes at any time.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, here, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

COVID-19 – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
• You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.   
• We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for England, Wales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
• OutdoorLads will support the tracing systems in place across the UK  and attendance at an OutdoorLads event is considered permission to use contact details for this purpose if requested by the appropriate authority.  
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
• Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our events.