Walcot, Pickworth and Folkingham
A country walk to visit three interesting village churches
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: Walcot | Distance: 5.4 miles (8.6 km) | Climbing: 82 metres |
| Grid Ref: TF 06008 35128 | Time: 3 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Walcot |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: Walcot | Distance: 5.4 miles (8.6 km) |
| Climbing: 82 metres | Grid Ref: TF 06008 35128 |
| Time: 3 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk: This rural walk starts from the churchyard in the small village of Walcot. It then leads through fields and meadows and along country lanes to the village of Pickworth, whose church has some rare, 14th century wall paintings. From here, the walk continues to the village of Folkingham, whose 15th century, perpendicular church tower can be seen for several miles.
Pickworth Church
The site of Folkingham Castle
This circular walk crosses attractive undulating countryside and visits pretty villages, passing the site of a medieval settlement. The walk uses tracks and quiet lanes. At wet times and in winter the tracks will be muddy. The highlight of the walk, and central theme, is the three historic churches in the three villages. All three have a remarkable history.
The walk is on mainly level terrain though the main descent and ascent is too and from the village of Folkingham. The highest point of the walk is just after leaving Pickworth and the lowest point of the walk is on the site of Folkingham Castle. These are 62 metres elevation and 27 metres elevation respectively.
Walcot is a probable site of prehistoric or Roman settlement. Earthworks indicating rectilinear ditched enclosures and a circular dwelling have been found, evidenced through crop marks and aerial photographs. Medieval ridge and furrow field systems have also been recorded.
The 1086 Domesday Book lists the village of Pickworth as having forty households and a church.
It is likely that the village of Folkingham originated as an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the sixth century, developing into a regionally important royal soke centre, or multiple estate by the eighth century.
Acknowledgments: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
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