Easy hikes and walks around North and South Wheatley

Located on the water’s edge of the River Trent in Gainsborough. On 10 May 1608, a group of Separatists (mainly women and children) decided to escape from Gainsborough in search of religious freedom. They left via the River Trent on a small barge called ‘The Francis’ which travelled to Stallingborough near Immingham, where they would meet a larger boat that would take them to Amsterdam in Holland. After 12 years of city live, some of them returned to England where they embarked the Mayflower in 1620 for their journey to America for a new life.

Gainsborough Old Hall in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire is over five hundred years old and one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in England. The hall was built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460. The Burghs were rich, flamboyant and powerful. Gainsborough Old Hall was not only their home, but also a demonstration of their wealth and importance. Burgh was a benefactor to Newark Church and also the founder of the Chantry and Alms House at Gainsborough. In 1470, the manor was attacked by Sir Robert Welles over a clash about lands, status, and honour, but it was not severely damaged. In 1484 Thomas entertained King Richard III in his hall. Henry VIII visited Gainsborough twice: once in 1509, and again in 1541 with his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard. The Queen was accused of indiscretions both at Gainsborough and Lincoln, and she was later executed.

A Georgian style church with medieval tower and a magnificent interior, the altar piece is a copy of the Da Vinci painting of the Last Supper. The first reference to a church in Gainsborough was in 1180 when it was given by Roger de Talbot, Lord of the Manor of Gainsborough to the Knights Templar of Willoughton. However, by 1730 this church was considered 'too dark and mean and incommodious' to suit the town's growing population and the decision was made to build a new church. Only the 15th century tower remains from the original medieval church.

This is an area of old quarrying which was rejuvenated into a series of lakes and wetland area. Now managed by the parish council of Lound it's a small nature reserve.

Gainsborough Old Hall is something of a hidden gem, waiting to be discovered in Gainsborough. Built in 1460, it is one of the largest and best preserved medieval manor houses in the country. Famous guests included Richard III and Henry VIII. An on-site café serves freshly prepared food and you can enjoy a house tour and a stroll around the gardens and grounds.

Viewing area just off the Chain Bridge Lane, perfect for birdwatchers, panoramic views of the wetlands in the Northern half of the Idle Valley Nature Reserve

"Off-Road" dusty (in summer) gravel road, accessible by car and wide enough to park on. Cuts across the middle of the Nature Reserve giving access to the heart of it.

The strange name reputedly originated when a woman baked a huge pie one Whitsunday for navvies digging the canal ..... however, recently discovered maps show a local field called Whitsunday Pie Field that pre-dates the canal.