Humby, Ropsley and Sapperton

On the east side of the green in Little Humby stands a large, stone manor house. This building dates back to 1631 and gives a clue to the hamlet's early origins.

On the right hand side of the track with a footpath sign stands the cottage; opposite it is the garden with an old walnut tree. The cottage and garden were given by the Duke of Rutland to one of his workmen as a wedding present.

As you cross the meadows by the copse, the 300 year old blue brick Ring Dam is visible. This was used to wash the sheep before shearing. The wool would then be sent to the weavers.

Just as you enter the Anglo Saxon village of Ropsley, on the left is a house with a plaque dated 1851. Next to it is the garage. This building was once a three stored maltings and provided a number of jobs for the local inhabitants.

In Ropsley, the house by the post office, and opposite Crown Hill, has a blue plaque on the wall. This indicates the site where Richard Foxe, Bishop of Winchester and eminent statesman, was born in 1447. He founded Corpus Christi College, Oxford and the Grammar School in Grantham.

The Anglo-Saxon origins of the Church of St Peter in Ropsley are still evident, and its fine, tall spire can be seen for miles around. At the top of the hill there are panoramic views of the countryside, and the villages of Braceby and Sapperton can be clearly seen. Not far from Sapperton are the remains of a Roman villa. Possibly this is where the Roman Legions rested before marching on to Lincoln.

Carrying on, you will soon reach a copse. This was planted in 1986, in memory of a well known local countryman, Fred Francis. A memorial plaque depicts two sheeps surrounded by oak trees. Then, after making a detour to explore the hamlet of Sapperton you will reach another copse whick was planted in memory of Gwen and Arthur Cox. Here you will find a stone seat for weary walkers to rest.

Further along the walk, you will reach a track known locally as Long Hollow. It eventually merges into a minor road called King Street and finally joins Ermine Street, where once Roman Legions marched.