"Here you'll find the Secret Garden Tearooms, an ideal place to stop for coffee and something to eat"
Overview
A 55-mile Lincolnshire Wolds cycling route with 2,200ft of climbing. Route starts and finishes at Waltham Windmill via winding lanes and A-roads. Cafe stop at the Secret Garden Tearooms in Elsham Country Park. GPX files let you start the loop from any point along the way.
Looking for a scenic Lincolnshire Wolds cycling route? Team VOOM rider Daniella Cullum shares one of her favourite road rides: a 55-mile loop combining quiet country lanes, rolling climbs, picturesque villages and a well-earned café stop.
When it comes to cycling routes Lincolnshire has plenty to offer, but this one starts and finishes at Waltham Windmill. An 88km road cycling route takes you through the Lincolnshire Wolds before heading towards Brigg and Elsham and looping back to Waltham.
With approximately 2,200ft of climbing, it’s a great route for a longer training ride or simply a day exploring some of the best road cycling Lincolnshire has to offer.
And, importantly, there’s a café stop along the way.
Lincolnshire Wolds Cycling Route Overview
Distance: 55 miles / 88km
Elevation: Approx. 2,200ft / 670m
Route type: Road cycling
Start & finish: Waltham Windmill
Terrain: Rolling country lanes and sections of A and B road
Café stop: Secret Garden Tearooms, Elsham Country Park
GPX: Available to download below
The route is described from Waltham Windmill, but because it’s a loop, you can use the GPX to join it from another convenient point along the route.
Cycling from Waltham Windmill into the Lincolnshire Wolds
Begin your ride at Waltham Windmill and head towards Brigsley on the B1203.
Continue up Ashby Hill, where you’ll begin to get a taste of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds landscape, before taking the first right towards the picturesque village of Hatcliffe.
Ride through Hatcliffe to the crossroads and turn left towards Thoresway.
Continue through the village until the road splits, taking the road on the right. At the top, turn right onto the B1225 before taking the first left towards Normandy-le-Wold.
At the T-junction, turn right and continue towards Nettleton.
Cycling Through Nettleton, Moortown and Howsham
Once you reach Nettleton, turn left at the junction followed immediately by a right towards Moortown.
Follow the long, open road towards Moortown before turning right at the crossroads and continuing towards Howsham.
As you enter Howsham, take the first left towards Cadney.
This section takes you towards the River Ancholme before continuing through Cadney and into the market town of Brigg.
Cycling from Brigg to Elsham Country Park
Follow the road through Brigg and continue straight ahead at the roundabout onto the A18.
Stay on the A18 until you reach the B1206 Barton Road on your left.
Follow Barton Road, passing the golf course, until you reach Elsham Country Park.
By this point, you’ll probably be ready for a break.
Café Stop at Elsham Country Park
Unless you’re chasing a particularly serious training time, turn right into Elsham Country Park and follow the road towards the buildings.
Here you’ll find the Secret Garden Tearooms, an ideal place to stop for coffee and something to eat before tackling the second half of the ride.
On longer rides, a café stop can also be a useful opportunity to top up your bottles and carbohydrate intake before heading back onto the road.
Cycling from Elsham to Wootton and Ulceby
After the café, retrace your route to the main road and turn right.
At the top of the hill, turn right onto Wootton Road and enjoy the descent into Wootton.
Pass the village duck pond and turn right, following the road until you reach the T-junction.
Turn left towards Ulceby.
From Ulceby, take the B1211 towards Brocklesby, passing the Earl of Yarborough Estate on your right.
Brocklesby, Swallow and Beelsby
Continue straight across the crossroads and through Brocklesby village.
Take the first right across the crossroads, followed by the first left onto Limber Road.
Continue until the next crossroads and head straight across towards Swallow.
At the following crossroads, continue straight into Swallow before taking the second left onto Beelsby Road.
Take the second right towards Beelsby Village.
At the T-junction, turn left and continue until the next T-junction, where you’ll turn right and ride towards the roundabout.
Turn left towards Barnoldby-le-Beck.
Finishing the Lincolnshire Wolds Cycling Route
From Barnoldby-le-Beck, continue towards the next roundabout and head straight towards Waltham.
Once you reach the roundabout in Waltham, turn right and follow the road back towards Waltham Windmill.
After 55 miles and around 2,200ft of climbing, you’re back where you started.
Fuelling a 55-Mile Cycling Route
Depending on your pace and how long you stop at the café, this route could mean several hours on the bike, so it’s worth carrying enough food and fluid to keep yourself fuelled between stops.
For longer endurance rides, aim to start fuelling early rather than waiting until you’re hungry.
Carry a combination of carbohydrate-rich foods and sports nutrition that you’ve already tested during training, and make sure your food is somewhere you can easily reach while riding.
Your hydration requirements will vary depending on the weather, your intensity and how heavily you sweat, so carry enough fluid for the conditions and use the café stop as an opportunity to refill if necessary.
Lincolnshire Wolds Cycling Route with GPX
Ready to ride a Lincolnshire Wolds cycling route yourself?
Download the Lincolnshire Wolds cycling route GPX and load it onto your bike computer or navigation app before setting off.
Because the route is a loop, you don’t necessarily have to begin at Waltham Windmill – choose a convenient starting point and follow the route from there.
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