Lincolnshire Wolds

The Lincolnshire Wolds are a range of hills in the English county of Lincolnshire. They are the highest area on the eastern England between Yorkshire and Kent. The range of hills runs parallel to the North Sea from the River Humber in the north- west to the small town of Spilsby in the south east.

Geography

The hills in the Lincolnshire Wolds consist of chalky limestone and sandstone, which was deposited during the Cretaceous period. It is characterized by numerous deep valleys that are formed during the Ice Age, by the movement of the ice. The slopes of the valleys are steeply as a rule, while the valley floor is flat.

In geological terms, the Lincolnshire Wolds are a continuation of the more northerly Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Separately, the two once contiguous ranges of hills by the river Humber, the forces of erosion have flattened the landscape in between.

The highest point of the Wolds and also of all Lincolnshire Wolds is on the hill top at Normanby -le- Wold at an altitude of 168 m, marked by a trig point. The hills offer a good view over the windows and the salt marshes in the rest of Lincolnshire, the Belmont transmitter mast, the Humber Bridge and Lincoln Cathedral.

Landscape protection

In 1973, the Lincolnshire Wolds have been awarded as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ( AONB ). Thus, they are subject to special planning regulations that affect mainly to the countryside. The AONB is 560 km ² and includes areas in the districts of East Lindsey, West Lindsey and North East Lincolnshire. The boundaries of the AONB are marked by signs on the access roads.

Tourism

The Wolds are marketed as a destination for tourists. It emphasizes in particular the fact that the writer Alfred Tennyson was born in the village of Somersby. The local farmers are encouraged to diversify into tourism. Are known as the Wolds area for walking; the Viking Way, a long distance footpath, leading from Barton -upon -Humber to Rutland. The roads in the hills are very popular with motorcyclists. In Louth is Cadwell Park, one of the most famous motorsport race tracks in the country.