MTB Ostlers to Horncastle time warp - YouTube Horncastle, Lincolnshire - genealogy heraldry and history (ukga.org) Historic Woodhall Spa - Woodhall Spa Cottage Museum

This is a section of the Viking way, a bridle path from Woodhall Spa to Horncastle. Distance of 4.25 miles along a mixture of grassy track, tarmac and gravel with some fantastic artwork along the way. The branch line opened in 1855 to passenger and goods traffic operated privately by GNR remaining independent until 1923. Road traffic saw its decline and it closed to Passenger traffic in 1954. Goods finally ceased in 1971. Horncastle had become a major centre for buying and selling horses in the nineteenth century. At the same time Woodhall Spa had become a centre for taking spring waters ostensibly for a cure. The waters were found to contain Bromine and Iodine which was a curative particularly for Gout. Several attempts at establishing a railway between Kirstead and Horncastle were unsuccessful till in 1853 when the GNR agreed to work the line for 50% of the receipts. The line is now part of The Viking Way, a 147 mile long distance path between the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire and Oakham in Rutland. The Way is so named because it crosses an area which was occupied by Norse invaders. You can continue the Viking Way on lane and bridle path to Fulletby. Grid ref: TF 2169 6174 Woodhall Spa Parking in Sandy lane or entrance to Viking Way. Grid ref: TF 2544 6931 Horncastle Parking in Granary Way